Product Development Technician

John Lewis plc; Darwen; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Night premium

Job summary

Herbert Parkinson in Darwen, part of the John Lewis Partnership, is seeking a product development specialist to lead turning concepts into production. You will work with stakeholders to create robust product specs, SOPs and oversee implementation into manufacturing, ensuring quality and scalable processes.

You will shape training, support the creation of a training school, and help upskill partners while aligning with KPIs and ISO guidelines.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in textile manufacturing.
• Proven track record delivering a product pipeline.
• Thorough understanding of product development lifecycles and creating specifications.
• Excellent presentation & training capabilities.
• Ability to create robust SOPs and handover documents.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the development and implementation of products into the manufacturing operation.
• Collaborate with production partners to create an initial prototype and coordinate with the Product Manager.
• Define efficient, scalable manufacturing specifications to ensure high-quality, repeatable products.
• Create robust SOPs for new products and handovers to Operations and Commercial teams.
• Support upskilling and refresher training for all stakeholders.
• Develop and supervise a training school and engage the local community to inspire future talent.

Skills

Textile manufacturing

Product pipeline

Product development lifecycles

Specifications creation

Presentation training

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

At Herbert Parkinson, a proud and historic part of the John Lewis Partnership, we are embarking on an exciting transformation journey to secure our long-term success. By investing in state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing capabilities, streamlining our operations, and creating broader, more fulfilling roles for our Partners, we are building a more sustainable and agile future. Join us as we continue to deliver exceptional quality and service for our customers while empowering our partners to thrive As part of the Operational team, you will be responsible for developing the process & technical expertise to take products from concept to production. Working closely with a range of internal stakeholders, you will be responsible for developing product specifications, Standard Operating Procedures & leading on the implementation of products into Operations, contributing to overall achievement of business KPIs. To operate within the guidelines of ISO standards. In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.25 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements. Expected salary - £31,700-47,500 (dependent on experience) Contract type - This position is a Permanent role. 38.75 Hours per week Location - This role is based at our Herbert Parkinson Office in Darwen Nr Manchester.

Key responsibilities

Lead on the development & implementation of products into the manufacturing operation. Utilising your technical expertise and creativity, you will work with production partners to collaboratively create an initial prototype of a new product. You will liaise with the Product Manager on the developed prototype. Working with internal stakeholders, you will establish the most efficient way of achieving scalable manufacturing specifications to achieve high-quality, repeatable products Manufacturing specifications to achieve high-quality, repeatable products. You will be responsible for creating robust SOPs to define new products & processes, holding responsibility for the handover of these documents to both Operational & Commercial teams. Support upskilling & refresher training for all JL stakeholders. Support the development & supervision of a training school, being an advocate in the local community to inspire future talent into the industry.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

Relevant experience in working in textile manufacturing Proven track record of delivering a product pipeline Thorough understanding of product development lifecycles & creating specifications Excellent presentation & training capabilities

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Relevant experience in soft furnishing products #LI-CS1

Closing Date: November 5, 2026 Pay: £31,000.00 - £43,200.00 Annual Contract Type: Permanent Hours of Work: 38.75 Job Level: Partnership Level 9 Where You'll Be Working: Herbert Parkinson, Harvest Mill, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0HR

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose. As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it. It’s this ownership model that makes the Partnership a very unique place to work.

Important points to note

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview. At the John Lewis Partnership we’re not just employees; we’re co-owners, and that’s why we’re called Partners. Being a Partner means not only do we all collectively share the responsibilities of being the UK’s largest employee-owned business, but we also share in its rewards and successes.