Job description

Who are we?

We're a top 10 UK clothing, footwear and homeware digital retailer based in Northern Quarter, in Manchester's city centre. Our retail brands are JD Williams, Simply Be, Jacamo, Ambrose Wilson and Home Essentials. We champion inclusivity by making our customers look and feel amazing. We don’t believe that age, size, shape or background should stop anyone from feeling confident, stylish and happy with the way they look and feel. With our industry leading expertise in creating fashion that fits, we’ve been proudly breaking down these barriers for over 150 years. We help our customers to express themselves with stylish products, helpful services and flexible finance. Now, we’re moving forward together, embracing innovation and new technology, to continue to delight our customers.

The Role and responsibilities

We're looking for someone to join us as a New Furniture Product Developer Apprentice within our dynamic Product Innovation team. Supporting the Product Technologist, this is a brilliant opportunity to develop your skills and broaden your knowledge of product quality, development and compliance to develop new and existing products. Alongside this, the role will require successfully completing the Level 3 New Furniture Product Developer apprenticeship; a 24-month programme involving involves various training, coaching and individual projects to enhance the key knowledge, skills and behaviours to be successful within product innovation. You will be based at our headquarters in the Northern Quarter, Manchester. This person will

Support on project work that drives the product strategy to constantly improve the quality, fit and value of our products.
Support product sealing requirements by documenting actions, completing production and quality forms in collaboration with the Product Technologist.
Assemble components by examining assembly instructions, specifications parts list, connections for correct fit, fastening parts and sub-assemblies.
Verify specifications by reviewing the completed product.
Resolve development and assembly problems by suggesting solutions to meet specifications.
Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Maintain supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
Develop skills and research sustainable material options to improve product quality.
Attend webinars with various partners to gain insight into future project.
Research and benchmark new technical innovations and product developments.
Constantly review and improve quality standards in line with customer expectation, competitors and internal quality guidelines.
Support the Head of Sustainability and wider team on any tasks that may be required.
With the support of your manager, dedicate the required 20% off the job training to complete the relevant apprenticeship activities.

What will you get?

Working here you’ll explore everything the world of digital retail has to offer — asking questions, trying new things and chasing new opportunities. Combine this curiosity with the freedom to make your own decisions, take charge of projects and work flexibly, and you’ve got the perfect place to show your skills and learn new ones. It’s fast and furious here at times, but this just means something new and exciting is always on the way. So, if you collaborate, think on your feet, embrace innovation and love rising to a challenge, your work with us will have a serious impact on the business, your career and our customers’ lives.

Upon completion of the 24-month apprenticeship, you will gain the Level 3 New Furniture Product Developer qualification! You'll be part of our bonus scheme, pension scheme, life assurance and 24 days holiday plus bank holidays. You will receive fantastic employee discount on our products, a discounted share purchase scheme and access to our Employee Assistance Programme and much more!

What are we looking for?

Are you interested in starting your career within Product Development? If so, then this role is for you! This role will give you the foundations to develop your Product Developer credentials whilst learning about our amazing business and customers. We’re looking for someone who will:

Be passionate about the business with a thirst to learn and inquisitive mentality, looking to build your knowledge and share ideas.
Have a collaborative and approachable manner.
Able to communicate (verbal and written) effectively with others and conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner.
Have basic knowledge of Microsoft suites, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Be prepared to study towards Level 3 New Furniture Product Developer apprenticeship.