Test Lead

Bettys & Taylors; Harrogate; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary profit-share bonus (paid

Flexible family-friendly benefits

Free meals and drinks

Discounts on Bettys & Taylors products

Health benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Additional holidays option

Job summary

Bettys & Taylors Group is seeking a Test Lead to join our Group Technology & Digital team in Harrogate. You will lead testing across projects, shaping testing strategy, driving continuous improvement and championing quality assurance across a complex tech landscape.

Reporting to the Test Manager, you will collaborate with developers, business specialists and third-party partners to ensure testing is planned, executed and reported effectively, with a hybrid working pattern and on-site

Qualifications

• Significant experience in software testing or QA
• Experience leading testing activities across projects or change initiatives
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills for colleagues and stakeholders
• Proven experience with both manual and automated testing approaches
• Solid knowledge of the software development lifecycle and testing best practices
• Excellent planning, organisation, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Outstanding written and verbal communication to engage diverse stakeholders
• Experience working with third-party suppliers and cross-functional teams
• Exposure to ERP platforms (IFS advantageous) and emerging tech (AI, cloud-based testing)

Responsibilities

• Lead testing activities across projects and change initiatives, and adapt strategies to project needs
• Collaborate with developers and project teams throughout the SDLC to deliver fit-for-purpose solutions
• Guide business SMEs and technical specialists, promoting testing best practices
• Plan and execute testing for business changes, including writing and maintaining test scripts
• Investigate and track defects, ensuring timely resolution with development teams
• Drive continuous improvement of testing methodologies, tools and processes
• Produce and maintain testing documentation (plans, sign-off, exit reports)
• Support standards and quality assurance practices across the business
• Coordinate with internal teams and external suppliers for comprehensive test coverage
• Support knowledge development and capability growth across technology and business teams

Skills

Test leadership

QA strategy

Automation testing

Coaching

SDLC knowledge

Stakeholder mgmt

Communication

Problem solving

Third-party liaison

Collaboration

Job description

Join us as a Test Lead at Bettys and Taylors Group - Our family business is home to three iconic Yorkshire brands – Yorkshire Tea, Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate.

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Test Lead to join our Group Technology & Digital team and play a key role in ensuring the quality, reliability and success of our technology solutions.

Reporting to the Test Manager, you'll lead testing activities across projects and change initiatives, helping to deliver robust, high-quality solutions that support our business and customers. This is an exciting opportunity to influence testing strategy, drive continuous improvement and champion best practice across a complex technology landscape. Working closely with developers, business specialists, project teams and third-party partners, you'll ensure testing is planned, executed and reported effectively, while helping to shape the future of quality assurance within the organisation.

We offer a hybrid approach to working, with our Technology & Digital team based at Pagoda House in Harrogate (HG2 7LD). While regular time onsite is important for collaboration and relationship-building, we recognise the value of flexibility and are happy to discuss working arrangements. As such, this role is not suitable for fully remote working. The role is offered on a full-time, permanent basis (37.5 hours per week).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead testing activities across projects and change initiatives, adapting testing strategies to meet project requirements and ensuring effective delivery and reporting
• Collaborate with developers and project teams throughout the software development lifecycle to deliver solutions that are fit for purpose and fit for use
• Guide and support business SMEs and technical specialists, promoting testing best practice and cross-functional collaboration
• Plan and execute testing for business changes, including writing, reviewing and maintaining test scripts
• Investigate, manage and track defects, working closely with development teams to ensure timely resolution
• Drive continuous improvement of testing methodologies, tools and processes, including automation capabilities
• Produce and maintain testing documentation, including test plans, sign-off documentation and test exit reports
• Support the development and maintenance of testing standards and quality assurance best practice across the business
• Work with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure comprehensive test coverage and successful delivery outcomes
• Support the ongoing development of knowledge and capability across technology and business teams

What You Bring

• Significant experience in software testing, quality assurance or a similar role.
• Experience leading testing activities across projects, programmes or technology change initiatives.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills, with experience supporting colleagues and stakeholders to achieve successful testing outcomes.
• Proven experience of both manual and automated testing approaches and tools.
• Strong knowledge of the software development lifecycle and testing best practice.
• Excellent planning, organisation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience working with third-party suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of ERP platforms, particularly IFS, would be advantageous.
• Exposure to emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning and cloud-based testing environments would be beneficial.

About us - great people, great culture

We are Bettys & Taylors Group. Our family business is home to three iconic Yorkshire brands – Yorkshire Tea, Bettys, and Taylors of Harrogate. Together we share a passion for quality, delighting customers, and doing things properly. We are driven by our purpose and values, and we know our talented people set us apart. That’s where you come in.

We are committed to offering a welcoming, inclusive culture where everyone can thrive and we welcome applications from all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

What we offer you

On top of a competitive salary, we offer:

• A discretionary profit-share bonus scheme paid quarterly (11.9% average over the last three years)
• A generous, flexible and inclusive range of family-friendly benefits to support you through every stage of life. These include enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave arrangements, flexible working options, paid time off for caring responsibilities, and emergency family leave
• Freshly cooked hot meals while at work, along with free drinks and snacks
• Discounts on Bettys & Taylors products
• A range of health benefits, including a health cash plan, health assessments, flu jabs and more
• Wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme
• The option to buy and (in some cases) sell additional holidaysPension schemes and life assurance
• And more

Application and Interview Process

To apply, submit a CV and a supporting statement. There will be a two-stage process for this role, and this will consist of a competency-based interview and a task brief.

Please let us know of any reasonable adjustments which you would benefit from. The hiring manager will pick up any information provided in your application and get in touch with you to talk about what could support you.

If you have any queries about this vacancy, please contact the hiring manager on [e-mail]. The closing date for this vacancy is 6th September 2026.