Product Technologist - Furniture

Dunelm

  • Leicester Syston, Leicestershire
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 day ago
OverviewHome. There’s no place like it. And there’s no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that’s what we do. We’re the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And the caring and encouraging culture we've created makes this a place you'll feel right at home too.We are the UK’s Number One homewares retailer offering c90,000 products building a consumer-focused total retail business that delights customers through our multichannel operation.We are determined in our plans to increase further expansion of the business to more customers, shopping more frequently, with more choice, enhanced digital and physical services, and new capabilities to innovate and operate at pace in a fast-changing landscape. In developing the business for the long-term benefit of our customers, we are investing in our supply chain, stores and technology to improve the customer proposition as we progress.Department OverviewAs an ambitious company with a forward-thinking sustainability programme, we are committed to ensuring the business is fit for the future. Our Good & Circular strategy includes embedding circular thinking into product design and sourcing, as well as helping our customers use and reuse our products more sustainably.We have a great opportunity to join our Product Quality team as a Furniture Technologist.As a Product Technologist – Furniture, you will play a key role in the development, engineering, and delivery of own-brand furniture products across Cabinet and Outdoor categories. You’ll ensure that all products meet legal, safety, and quality standards while supporting innovation, sustainability, and commercial success. Working closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers, you’ll help bring high-quality, durable, and compliant products to market that exceed customer expectations.This role is a hybrid opportunity based in our Syston Store Support Office in Leicester.What you'll be doingTechnical Development & Quality Assurance
  • Engineer products from concept through to production, developing specifications fit for manufacturing.
  • Oversee the end-to-end product development process, ensuring compliance with technical, safety, and quality standards in line with the critical path.
  • Identify and eliminate potential flaws in product designs to ensure a seamless production process.
  • Ensure products comply with industry regulations, Dunelm quality standards, and sustainability initiatives.
  • Monitor category performance, including returns and customer feedback, to drive continuous improvement.
Supplier & Compliance Management
  • Work closely with suppliers to implement product performance standards and ensure timely approvals.
  • Drive improvements in supplier performance and empower them to deliver right-first-time outcomes.
  • Ensure manufacturing sites meet Dunelm’s technical and ethical standards, including auditing and corrective actions.
  • Stay up to date with industry trends, legislation, and best practices in product technology and compliance.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Collaborate with Buying, Merchandising, and Design teams to align technical priorities with commercial goals.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
  • Support cross-functional projects, often involving complexity and ambiguity, with a solutions-focused mindset.
Sustainability & Innovation
  • Support the implementation of sustainability and circularity initiatives across the furniture category.
  • Deliver small-scale projects that contribute to product innovation and technical excellence.
What we'll look for in youSkills & Experience
  • Experience in a furniture technologist or similar role within retail or supply chain.
  • Strong technical knowledge of furniture product standards, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing processes.
  • Proven ability to engineer and specify products from the ground up.
  • Experience working with UK and global suppliers.
  • Strong analytical, communication, and influencing skills.
Behaviours & Attributes
  • A proactive self-starter with excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
  • Resilient and calm under pressure, with a collaborative and adaptable approach.
  • Strong organisational and project management capabilities.
  • Passionate about product quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Dunelm