Product Development Technologist, Handbags and Accessories

Overview

In this role you will manage safety, legality, quality, and sustainability across the product life cycle, ensuring compliance with standards while driving development of customer-focused assortments. You will oversee technical strategy, supplier relationships, and end-to-end product quality from concept to delivery. The role sits within Sourcing & Technical Profession and supports continuous improvement and compliance across categories. You will work with cross-functional teams to deliver industry-leading products that align with our ethical and sustainability requirements.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid working
• flexible working options
• salary up to 60k (depending on experience)
• employee-owned partnership culture

Responsibilities

• Deliver compliant, safe, legal and high-quality Own Brand product assortments
• Set and communicate product specifications and interpret designs for new products
• Develop and implement technical strategy aligned with category strategy (Ethical, Technical, Sustainability)
• Review and approve product development against standards
• Test and certify products for legal, performance and chemical compliance; maintain technical files
• Support end-to-end product development from concept to delivery to ensure quality
• Assess product suitability including performance, safety, and function
• Drive continuous supplier technical performance improvements
• Conduct product insight, horizon scanning, benchmarking, and knowledge of technical/legal requirements
• Collaborate with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure compliance and reduce returns; perform root-cause analysis
• Manage raw material sustainability data to meet targets
• Contribute technical input to tenders and assortment reviews

Key requirements

• Experience in a technical role in retail or manufacturing
• Product development, product testing & compliance
• Supplier engagement
• Strong garment and accessories construction knowledge
• 3D fitting knowledge is desirable
• A degree or equivalent industry on-the-job training

• customer-focused
• collaborative
• problem-solving
• Product development
• Product testing & compliance
• Supplier engagement

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