Footwear Product Technologist

Job ID
Job ID 74350
Team
Team Product
Location
Location Leicester
Job Schedule
Job Schedule Full time
Salary
Salary £44,000 - £66,000
Posting Date
Posting Date 30/01/2026
Apply Before
Apply Before 13/02/2026
Person browsing colour thread swatches on a table covered with yarn samples, striped socks, and measuring tape.

Summary

About the Role:
Based in Enderby, Leicester Head Office.
Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office with some flexibility once embedded into the role, with core hours between 8am-6pm.

Let’s talk quality… When it comes to UK retail, it’s hard to find a company with a bigger focus on quality. We sell thousands of items an hour and our repeat customer base comes back to us time and time again for our renowned quality products. For anyone in the garment technology field - this is the place to learn. To grow. And to thrive.
Our Product Technology teams work hard to ensure the quality of our Next product is always of the highest standard. Working alongside the Designers, Buyers, Merchandisers and Fabric Technologists; this role is key to the whole product critical path, from start to finish.

Developing the footwear product areas (with experience in womens footwear key to this role); focusing on front end product development, quality, fit and testing/legislative standards, to drive technical innovation and product improvements whilst promoting collaborative and close working relationships within the Product teams. Approving and progressing the range; delivering good quality standards, providing clear and concise written and verbal communication internally and externally; whilst managing the supply base to meet expectations.Managing in season; reviewing product quality throughout season, auditing and utilising information to further improve quality.

About You:
A team player and a leader; you will have great people skills too. Using your extensive technical experience and exceptional eye for technical detail. Management experience is ideal as you will likely manage an assistant technologist to deliver great quality in a high profile department. Utilising your qualifications and experience within the industry you will communicate effectively within multi functional teams. You’ll be able to demonstrate an excellent understanding of construction, manufacturing methods and testing/legislation requirements across multiple product categories. You’ll show drive and initiative to generate and implement new ideas in your department.

Sponsorship:
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.

#LI-Onsite

Benefits

  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
  • Profit-related bonus - based on company performance
  • Management share options
  • Company car or car allowance
  • Private medical insurance
  • Sharesave scheme - make savings from your net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
  • Pension - fixed contribution rates from both an employer and employee perspective, but you're also able to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) if you wish to save more.
  • Life assurance
  • Group income protection
  • Wagestream - helping you make the most out of your money
  • Salary finance - offers access to affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings and free financial education.
  • 25% staff discount on most NEXT products - plus discount on other products
  • Direct to work - NEXT orders delivered free to the office for collection
  • VIP sale - early access to the NEXT sale
  • Access to NEXT staff shops
  • Octopus energy - like cycle-to-work, but for electric vehicles
  • Free parking (excluding London locations)
  • Travel2NEXT - bus services dependent on location
  • On site dining facilities (excluding London locations)
  • National and local discounts on goods and services - this includes things like discounted cinema tickets
  • Wellhub - includes access to discounted gym membership
  • Simply health - a healthcare subscription service
  • Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service - 7 Free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check.
  • Onsite GP - Leicester Head Office
  • Onsite Physio - Leicester Head Office
  • A range of dedicated 3rd party wellbeing partners
  • Free eye testing - voucher to use at specific locations
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.

Team Overview

This is where ideas become incredible collections. Designers, Buyers, Merchandisers, and Technologists collaborate to create products our customers love. You'll spot global trends, strategically balance our range plans and meticulously test quality so every season feels fresh, inspiring and exceptional.

ss

Similar Roles

Explore similar opportunities across our business.

Lorem

Merchandiser - Home - 12 Months Fixed Term Contract

Lorem

Assistant Merchandiser - Womenswear Non Clothing (Swimwear)

Lorem

Buyer - Womenswear Non Clothing

Our brands

You’ve probably heard of NEXT, but did you know about our portfolio? Every brand in our offering brings a distinct story, attitude and community. Spanning contemporary lifestyle brands, established high street names and timeless collections, together they showcase the vibrancy of today’s retail world.

About NEXT

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
A group of smiling NEXT employees stand together outside the company’s modern glass-fronted building, posing beneath the large NEXT logo.

Are you ready to take it on?

Challenges. Opportunities. The future. Let’s take it on at NEXT.