Furniture Technologist

Stoelmassage Voorthuizen; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK online retailer is looking for a Furniture Technologist to join their QA team at the East Midlands Distribution Centre. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in furniture technology, focusing on product quality and customer satisfaction. Responsibilities include linking buyers and factories, supporting new product development, and managing quality inspections. Up to £45,000 salary based on experience.

Benefits

Career progression opportunities

Creative working culture

Potential international travel

Qualifications

• At least 5 years experience as a Product/Furniture Technologist.
• Strong knowledge of product standards, safety, and material regulations.
• Valid UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key link between Buying, factories, and QA.
• Provide technical support for new product development.
• Use data to identify recurring issues and recommend improvements.
• Review and approve pre-shipment inspection reports.
• Manage swatches, materials, and colour specifications.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong commercial thinking

Multitasking

Data analysis

Job description

Location: East Midlands Distribution Centre - Castle Donington

Department: Commercial

Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum DOE

Hours: 39.5

Contract Type: Permanent

Buy It Direct is one of the UK's leading online retailers and, as our Furniture123 business continues to grow, we are looking for a Furniture Technologist to join our QA team. This role is based at our EMDC, Castle Donington site, with regular on-site working.

This is a great opportunity for someone with strong knowledge of furniture and upholstery from design and construction to production methods. You’ll work closely with our factories, buying teams, and wider business to deliver outstanding products, reduce returns, and improve the customer experience.

As a Furniture Technologist, You Will

• Act as a key link between Buying, factories, and QA to improve product quality and reduce customer returns.
• Provide technical support for new product development, including testing, documentation, and compliance for various types of furniture, such as upholstery, cabinetry, chairs, beds, and nursery furniture.
• Use data and quality tools to identify recurring issues and recommend product improvements.
• Build strong relationships with buyers and suppliers, balancing priorities through regular calibration and collaboration.
• Review and approve pre-shipment inspection reports to ensure specification and quality compliance.
• Manage swatches, materials, and colour specifications to maintain consistency and control.
• Oversee Goods‑In inspections and in‑house product checks to verify quality standards.

What You’ll Need

• A passion for furniture with at least 5 years experience as a Product/Furniture Technologist, ideally across hard, upholstered, and garden furniture.
• Strong commercial thinking and confidence working with data.
• Knowledge of courier packaging development.
• Excellent attention to detail, multitasking skills, and ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Proven experience in product appraisal within manufacturing, retail, or supply, with strong knowledge of product standards, safety, and material regulations.
• Ability to interpret manufacturing standards, test certificates, and compliance documents.
• Resilience to work under pressure in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• A valid UK driving licence.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a real difference in the supply chain of a leading furniture retailer.
• A creative and innovative working culture.
• Great career progression opportunities within a successful online business.
• Potential international travel to suppliers.
• A competitive salary of up to £45,000 per annum dependent on experience and benefits package.

At Buy It Direct, we dare to be different. We've built this business from the ground up to become one of the UK's largest and fastest growing online retailers. We are proud of the products and services we provide across our six well recognised, award‑winning online brands including Laptops Direct, Appliances Direct, Better Bathrooms and Furniture123. We listen, learn and challenge the status quo, paying attention to the details that matter and want to delight our customers by putting them at the heart of what we do, to really understand what matters to them.

REF-224 545