Assistant Cabinet Technologist
Our Home Tech team are looking for a Cabinet & Dining Assistant Technologist!
You’’ll be working closely alongside the Home product teams, using your technical knowledge of furniture, to provide support and ensure product development is meeting the business’s standards for quality and value – as well as adhering to legal and industry standards.
Assistant Cabinet Technologist - Home
Let's Take it On
Upstairs Cabinets & Dining Tables
£30,000 - £40,000
Enderby, Head Office
Let’s talk quality… When it comes to UK retail, it’s hard to find a company with a bigger focus on quality. We sell thousands of items an hour and our repeat customer base comes back to us time and time again for our renowned quality products. For anyone in the Home Tech field - this is the place to learn. To grow. And to thrive.
Our Furniture Technologists work closely with all teams within our Home department. Ensuring we have considered trends, performance and innovation across all areas of the Home. From curtains and cushions to dining chairs and tables, plus so much more! The wealth of experience across the team ensures that quality and performance is key.
Your role
You’’ll be working closely alongside the Home product teams, using your technical knowledge of furniture, to provide support and ensure product development is meeting the business’s standards for quality and value – as well as adhering to legal and industry standards.
Planning the range; evaluating new products to ensure they are legal and safe and meet performance and legal requirements.
Developing the range; providing technical support to the Product Team and promoting collaborative and close working relationships.
Support, Development and Review of the seasonal ranges; always looking out for market opportunities and new trends.
Approving and Progressing the range; providing clear and concise written and verbal communication internally and externally, ensuring that the correct documentation is used.
Preparing for launch; reporting exceptions to launch to the Product Team and line manager, with solutions to problems are met.
Managing in season; having awareness of current sales information, including best sellers.
About you
Materials Science: Knowledge of various materials like hardwoods (e.g., oak, walnut), softwoods (e.g., pine), engineered wood (MDF, plywood), metals (steel, aluminium), plastics, and textiles. This includes understanding how materials affect durability, aesthetics, and sustainability.
Innovative Materials: Familiarity with new materials like bio-composites, recycled plastics, and sustainable woods.
Ergonomic Design: Understanding of ergonomics, ensuring furniture is designed for user comfort and optimal posture. This is critical for furniture like chairs and desks.
Frame Construction: Knowledge of different types of furniture frames, such as kiln-dried hardwood frames for upholstered furniture or lightweight aluminium frames for outdoor furniture.
Mechanical Testing: Understanding how to perform load testing (ensuring furniture can handle weight capacities), fatigue testing (how furniture withstands repetitive stress), and impact testing (shock resistance).
Material Testing: Knowledge of how to test for material durability, including abrasion resistance, stain resistance, and fire retardancy, depending on the intended use and market standards.
Environmental Testing: Testing how furniture withstands various environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and UV exposure. This is important for outdoor furniture and products for regions with extreme climates.
Product manufacturing or Retail technologist experience is an advantage.
By having this comprehensive knowledge, you can help bridge the gap between design and manufacturing to ensure the furniture meets functional, aesthetic, and market demands.
Your team
Joining the Home Technology team is a super exciting opportunity indeed! As an Assistant Furniture Technologist in the Home Technology team, you'll be leveraging your technical knowledge of furniture construction and performance to contribute to product development, quality assurance, and innovation within a dynamic team.
Your benefits
We’ll discuss more of what you’ll get when you work for Next at interview, but here’s an overview of what you can expect:
Profit–related bonus
25 days holiday and the opportunity to buy more
Contributions into a pension scheme
Life assurance
Sharesave scheme, which allows you to invest in Next and claim your share of our success
A fantastic restaurant, coffees shops and juice bar
On-site nursery (salary sacrifice scheme) in Leicester
Staff shop
Free parking on-site, including car sharing
Free company bus service to and from Leicester city centre and other areas
25% staff discount on most Next products – either in our stores or delivered directly to your desk
National and local discounts on goods and services
A digital GP healthcare service
Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.