Product Development Technician

John Lewis Partnership; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Parkinson, part of the John Lewis Partnership, is seeking a skilled professional to take products from concept to production and to define robust manufacturing specifications. You will collaborate with internal stakeholders to create SOPs and oversee handover to Operations and Commercial teams.

The role emphasizes textile manufacturing, the product development lifecycle, and delivering a clear product pipeline.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in textile manufacturing.
• Proven track record of delivering a product pipeline.
• Thorough understanding of product development lifecycles and creating specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the development and implementation of products into the manufacturing operation.
• Work with production partners to create an initial prototype of a new product.
• Liaise with the Product Manager on the developed prototype.
• Establish efficient, scalable manufacturing specifications for high-quality, repeatable products.
• Create robust SOPs for new products and processes; handover to Operations & Commercial teams.
• Support upskilling and refresher training for all Partners; contribute to a training school.

Skills

Presentation skills

Training capabilities

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.,

• 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.
• 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
• 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., 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.

Desirable skills/experience you may have - Relevant experience in soft furnishing products

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.