Technologist Soft Lines - FTC until 8th April 2026

The White Company

  • London
  • Temporary
  • Full-time
  • 2 months ago
Our RoleThis Technologist role sits within our QA Home team, and will cover our Home Textile offer for Bedroom, Bathroom, and Little White Home.To ensure all products in own depts. are approved for safety, legality and quality (including fitness for purpose), in line with QA processes and critical path.To develop, manage and maintain the supplier relationships in own depts. and ensure transparency of the supply chain with regard to Quality and Ethical behaviours and standards.To work closely with the Buying, DC & customer facing teams to provide technical advice to influence and support product development and improvement in own areas of responsibilityWhat you'll be doingProduct
  • Take responsibility for all technical aspects of own product range(s)
  • Maintain awareness of current and emerging legislation applicable to own product area
  • Deliver product development from initial concept throughout the lifecycle of the product, in line with technical processes and Quality Policy
  • Keep abreast of technological innovations, best practice and industry and competitor standards to drive continuous improvement in own product areas, in line with Company & QA Strategy; includes
  • conducting research and benchmarking exercises
  • evaluating customer feedback, complaints and returns levels
  • Provide support to Buying teams on new product developments: customer feedback: and current or emerging technical, environmental, ethical and legal issues in own product ranges
  • Input minimum safety, legal and technical requirements to Product Briefs (via Generic Specifications) so that products can be developed to these minimums whilst allowing innovation
Process
  • Evaluate products according to the Product Approval Process and in line with critical path requirements
  • Ensure Technical Files & Specifications are produced and effectively maintained in line with due diligence
  • Ensure Risk Assessments are conducted on all products within own ranges: ensuring that documentary and other evidence exists to provide robust due diligence
  • Monitor performance of own products against agreed quality KPIs and effect corrective actions and improvements
  • Develop and maintain Generic Specifications and associated documents (e.g. Defect Classification Lists, Test Methods etc) for product in own areas
  • Maintain QA Reference Libraries according to QA procedures
Suppliers
  • Work with Line Manager to support the development and continuous improvement of new & existing suppliers: including awareness of factory evaluation, approvals and audits. Responsible for review & approval of FAF paperwork, CAP follow-up and new supplier sign-off.
  • Work with Line Manager to ensure that all own suppliers achieve and practice satisfactory Quality Management Systems that will deliver consistently safe, legal and quality products.
  • Work with CSR Manager to ensure all own suppliers achieve and practice satisfactory Ethical standards and behaviours
  • You will need to build strong relationships with suppliers, to ensure our quality requirements are met and understood.
  • Communicate specifications and provide feedback on compliance issues, returns levels and performance with recommendations for improvements to increase customer satisfaction
  • Monitor performance of own suppliers against agreed Quality KPIs, and effect corrective actions and improvements; and input to Supplier Scorecard and Company Strategy
Personal Development Plan
  • In association with line manager, identify personal development or training needs and agree actions and activities accordingly
  • Develop and deliver QA Dept. initiatives that build strong working relationships within and outside the dept.
  • Deputise for the Senior Technologist as appropriate
Core Responsibilities
  • To fulfil health & safety obligations by ensuring that safe working practices are followed at all times
  • To perform any other reasonable duties as required
The skills & experience that you’ll need
  • Knowledge and understanding of Textiles relevant to the area of responsibility
  • Ability to conduct detailed risk assessments if required
  • Understanding of legislation relevant to products within your departments
  • Understanding of Quality Management Systems and awareness of auditing principles and ethical trading
  • Degree in Scientific or Technical discipline or completed vocational training relevant to product area
  • Experience in a technical role either within manufacturing or as a retail technologist covering relevant fields
  • Innovation, Great relationship building across functions, Customer Focus, and willingness to work as part of a team
What we’ll offer youAt The White Company, we value our employees for always going the extra mile for every one of our customers; we reward this with great benefits and competitive salaries.
  • Discount -Up to 50% discount and access to regular Sample Sales
  • Holiday - 25 days rising to 28 with length of service
  • Holiday Buy – opportunity to buy up to 5 days holiday
  • Pension Scheme - enrolled in our Group Personal Pension schemes upon joining the business.
  • Bonus - In addition to our competitive salaries, all our employees are entitled to join a discretionary bonus scheme (based on policy eligibility)
  • Perkplace Benefits Platform – offering a variety of discounts across well-being and lifestyle
  • Wagestream Money Management app - access to Wagestream gives you power over your pay and supports financial wellbeing
  • Continued Development – We offer structured support from our own in-house Learning and Development Hub
  • Salary Sacrifice scheme for Electric vehicles (dependent on grade and meeting policy eligibility)
  • Continued Development - Inclusion on our Leadership Development Programme (eligibility for contracts of 6 months plus Grade D & E roles only)
  • Continued Development – We offer structured support from our own in-house Learning and Development Hub
  • Private Healthcare with additional Babylon Digital Healthcare (based on contract duration)
  • Life Assurance
Additional Benefits
  • Fruit basket daily
  • Tea and coffee provided
  • Working from Home - option to work from home on Mondays and Fridays
  • Social - Christmas party/social events throughout the year
  • Seasonal Sample Sales
  • Volunteer Day - with a charity of your choice
  • Great Location - Close to transport links - over ground Shepherds Bush station /underground White City & Wood Lane stations. Westfield shopping centre with shops restaurants/bars/cinema and gyms
Our Equality Diversity and Inclusion statement of commitmentAt The White Company we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that welcomes and celebrates a diversity of backgrounds and identities.We are working together to ensure our environment is one where people can bring their authentic selves to work, where their contribution is valued, ability enhanced, and perspective appreciated. Where difference is respected, encouraged, and celebrated. Where you can feel you belong.We are committed to an active Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process.We'd love you to join us on our journey.Our Sustainability statement of commitmentWe are committed to building a sustainable legacy that will enable a brighter future for people and our planet.’ We believe this should be reflected in everything we do.

The White Company