Junior Materials Research & Design Specialist

Pineapple Furniture; Aylesford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading furniture design company as a Junior Materials Research & Design Specialist, where you will influence product development with innovative materials. This role involves research, collaboration with teams, and managing materials projects to foster cutting-edge designs while promoting sustainability.

Benefits

23 days annual leave + bank holidays

Healthcare Cash Plan

Pension scheme

Tree planting initiative

Monthly pizza Fridays

Competitive pay

Regular team socials

Free onsite parking

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Product Design, Innovation, or related fields is required.
• Excellent communication and IT skills are necessary.
• Experience with CAD and a proactive approach to projects is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Research and advise on new materials for product development.
• Manage materials-based projects and testing.
• Present findings to managers and collaborate with teams.

Skills

Research skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Creativity

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

CAD

Job description

JOB TITLE: Junior Materials Research & Design Specialist

LOCATION: Aylesford, Kent.

WORKING HOURS: 8am - 4.30pm, Office based

A Bit About Your Role..

Join our dynamic team as a Junior Materials Research & Design Specialist Innovation Specialist and play a key role in shaping the future of product development through cutting-edge material and fabric solutions. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams, research new technologies, and drive innovation in sourcing, testing, and applying advanced materials. If you're passionate about materials-led design and ready to influence the next generation of products, we want to hear from you.

Some Of Your Key Responsibilities

• Research new and technical materials for development projects
• Help advise the product development team on material choice
• Research and discover new suppliers, manufacturers and processes
• Manage materials-based projects, launching new products and designs
• To conduct own testing and assist with onsite product and material testing
• Conduct research with external testing houses
• Present research and findings to managers
• Comparing material spec on Granta software.
• Maintain and develop our fabric and material library.
• Be passionate about material lead design.
• Assist the materials team with communications with supplier and sample orders.
• Attend shows and events
  
  
  

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree (or higher) in a relevant field, such as Product Design and Manufacturing, Material Futures, Textile, Innovation, Colour and Materials Design, Circular Design and Engineering, Engineering, Industrial Design, Manufacturing Design Engineering, Interior Design.
• Excellent IT skills with competent use of Microsoft Office (mainly Outlook and Excel)
• Strong Excel and research presentation skills
• Knowledge of furniture, interior design, furnishings etc would be desirable
• Understanding of manufacturing processes
• Some knowledge and experience of CAD and/or 3D printing, desirable but not essential
• Knowledge of materials and manufacturing across the furniture industry and the drive to execute several projects
• Self-motivated, conscientious, and hard-working
• Confident, pro-active, approachable, and happy to "turn your hand" to anything required.
• Happy to work to tight deadlines.
• Be a creative and innovative thinker.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• You embody our company people values:
• Teamwork - Collaborate effectively with humility, appreciating and integrating individual skills and perspectives to achieve collective goals
• Committed - Dedicate yourself fully to your role, going above and beyond with self-motivation and loyalty to achieve individual, team, and company goals
• Ownership - Take full responsibility for your work, performance, and conduct, acting with integrity, staying organised, and learning from feedback and mistakes
• Positive - Approach tasks with optimism and innovation, viewing challenges as opportunities, and bringing energy and enthusiasm to inspire and motivate others
• Responsive - React quickly and effectively to needs and feedback, prioritising tasks with urgency, embracing change, and maintaining a proactive approach.
  
  
  

Why work for us

Pineapple is a leader in designing and manufacturing innovative furniture solutions for challenging environments. A family run company started in 1975, Pineapple is now a global business with headquarters in Kent (UK) and offices in France, Germany and the USA.

Pineapple still runs by its original ethos of creating mindfully designed furniture that not only works effortlessly and looks great but also helps foster a calm and supportive environment. Join Pineapple and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference through quality, innovation, sustainability and exceptional customer care.

Benefits

What we offer you

• We were proudly featured in The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work 2024
• Competitive pay
• Pension scheme
• A Healthcare Cash Plan - You can claim for medical expenses, dentist or optical services, as well as access to 100s of deals and discounts
• 23 days annual leave + UK bank holidays
• An extra day's leave for your birthday
• Workplace nursery scheme
• All new starters, we'll plant a tree in your honour. We currently have trees planted in the UK, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Madagascar
• Sustainability focused business
• Regular team socials and events, including summer and Christmas parties
• Monthly pizza Friday
• Fruit and snacks are provided daily
• Employee referrals bonus scheme
• Company volunteering day, 2024, we were at Port Lympne Safari Park picking leaves ready to be frozen for the animals through the winter
• High-quality office environment
• Free onsite parking / within walking distance from the train station
  
  

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

Agencies we know where you are if we need any support, thank you for your interest in working with Pineapple.