Location | Head Office, Tottenham Court Road, London
Working style | Hybrid
NEXT Wholly Owned Brands…
Our growing portfolio includes Lipsy, Love & Roses, Friends Like These, Beauty at NEXT and Seraphine — all available through next.co.uk, connecting with millions of customers across the UK and beyond.
At the heart of our business is a passionate team driven by creativity, innovation, and a shared ambition to deliver exceptional results. We foster a culture where individuality is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and challenging the status quo is part of how we grow.
About the Job
You will be a senior strategic leader within the business, managing and developing direct (and indirect) reports within the technical team to deliver against the overall quality assurance strategy. You will operate with a clear, agile focus on ensuring outcomes are aligned with the best interests of both the technical team and the wider business goals. Champion a customer-focused approach, with a commercial eye to safeguard the brand integrity and build customer loyalty. You will maintain high standards ensuring legal, ethical and environmental compliance of our products. Continually drive efficiency to improve business processes, systems, and team performance. In collaboration with the wider management team, you will be setting and driving departmental strategies and projects to build future technical capability.
You will be…
- Managing upwards, delivering Key agendas and objectives to the Technical Director.
- Defining and driving overall quality assurance strategies and KPI’s for the Technical team.
- Leading strategic technical projects while contributing to key business-wide initiatives, ensuring the technical team's perspective is represented through effective partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
- Instrumental in driving change through the business to ensure smooth transitions for evolving compliance legislation.
- Managing and developing direct reports through appraisals and regular 1-2-1 meetings.
- Coaching the team with expert technical decision making, problem-solving and quality issue resolution skills.
- Identifying opportunities to develop the team, working with the L&D team as well as external resources.
- Ensuring product is fit for purpose and compliant with all Legal, Ethical and Safety standards, maintaining a due diligence program and regular fit reviews.
- Utilising clear understanding of legislation and emerging legislation changes.
- Utilising returns data and customer feedback to identify root causes and implement product or process improvements that enhance quality and reduce return rates.
- Working to streamline and improve processes and systems across the Technical department to drive consistency and efficiency.
- Utilising and developing reporting to inform decision-making and action plans.
- Cultivating and managing strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to align technical standards with business goals.
- Collaborating with the wider Next group to challenge and influence technical policies.
- Delivering key supplier communication to ensure understanding of NEXT WOB Technical standards and procedures, including the NEXT Code of Practice.
- Onboarding new NEXT WOB brands, new suppliers, and new starters to the business through comprehensive training and support with business knowledge.
- Experienced Technical Manager with sufficient experience in a similar role with demonstrable success in a leadership or managerial role.
- Proven ability to build strategy plans, drive strategic projects and streamline processes.
- Able to work in a busy fast‑paced environment, adaptable and not afraid of change.
- Proficient with the use of Excel and comfortable with the use of other internal systems.
- Experience in dealing with a broad supply base, including overseas suppliers.
- Proficient at building effective relationships, communicating and engaging with colleagues, suppliers and external stakeholders at all levels.
- You take a proactive approach to all aspects of your work, with an emphasis on continually seeking opportunities to drive business impact.
- Able to work as part of a team and independently.
- Respecting and supporting others to be part of a positive working environment.
- Approach challenges with courage, being bold with decision‑making and acting decisively.
- Taking accountability for your role responsibilities and driving your own development.
- Leads by example and is a good role model for the team, inspiring enthusiasm with your leadership approach.
What we can do for you…
- 25% off a huge selection of Next, Next Wholly Owned Brands, GAP and Victoria's Secret products & 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty.
- Hot deals and exclusive offers from over 3,500 retailers through Perks At Work.
- We recognise hard work with our company performance‑based bonus.
- Life Assurance.
- Join our Next Sharesave Scheme.
- Learn the impact with our Annual Travel Card Loan.
- Never miss a package and with Direct to Desk delivery.
- Bag a bargain at our sample sales.
- Hybrid & flexible working across the business to support your work‑life balance.
- Learn, develop and grow with our personal development plans.
- Enjoy more time with friends and family with Early Bank Holiday finishes.
- Join in the fun with our year‑round office events.
Diversity & Inclusion
We recognise that our differences are what make us who we are. We want people to want to work for us and be their true selves. We are dedicated to attracting and developing a talent team, and recognise that all unique backgrounds and experiences contribute to our future success.
We want to create an inclusive and inspiring environment where individuals feel valued and respected, and where people can achieve their full potential and be their very best, whoever they are.
We believe that wellbeing is having the opportunity to achieve your full potential, cope with day to day pressures, be productive and thrive in all aspects of your life. We encourage a culture that promotes and enables us all to achieve positive wellbeing, by focusing on mental, physical and financial health.
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