Technology Manager - Womenswear Non-Clothing

Team :

Salary :

Design & Technology

About us

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!

Your 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. We are looking for a Technology Manager to join the Womenswear Non Clothing department, this is a rare opportunity and one not to be missed. Managing a very experienced team of Garment, Product and Fabric Technologists, covering a multitude of product areas including footwear, lingerie, hard and soft accessories, nightwear, swim and beach.

In a nutshell, the role is

• Managing the team to ensure we continually exceed expectations on quality and innovation within our products
• Working collaboratively with all areas of the business
• Problem solving and working with the team to react and make decisions on stock and supplier issues, situations and escalations.
• Driving innovation through new technology, procedures and systems (NIS, Optitex and Digi Eye).
• Travel will be a key part of this role, visiting factories, suppliers, stores and warehouses - UK and international.

There is so much more to it though as this role spans all areas of Next and is all about collaboration:

Buying, merchandising and design: Starting at the early stages of product, fabric and colour development, through to fittings, quality and deliveries.

Warehouse: A close relationship with the Next distribution centres is imperative, to ensure Next customers only receive the best quality products.

Stores: Getting involved with stores and all levels of management within stores to understand product quality, pre retailing and sharing best process for handling the stock.

COP: Working with the COP team to ensure suppliers and factories are compliant.

Customer Services: Resolution and processing quality and safety issues and complaints.

Supply Base: Planning and strategy in place as well as supplier management and relationship development to ensure quality and delivery compliance are met.

Legislation and Sustainability: Working with L&S team to ensure the 2025 and beyond goals are met.

Health and Safety: Overseeing the health and safety of Non Clothing, ensuring that everyone in the department is aware of Next H&S procedures and adheres to them

This is a people management role, reporting to the department product director. There is a strong team of 13 currently, the team has a wealth of knowledge and experience; your role will be to offer support, encourage development, inspire and empower them.

About you

You'll have worked in a similar role with either supplier or retail experience (both would be a bonus), with hands-on knowledge of product and commercial supply/manufacture processes. Managed a team previously, have excellent communication skills, as well as a good eye for detail. Able to identify and mitigate problems and issues early on to avoid delays with delivery and trading. You don't need to have worked in all of the product areas but experience in womenswear would be an advantage.

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:

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.

What's next

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE , Lipsy , Gap and Victoria's Secret products ( when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance based bonus
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

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 (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on and leave a voicemail.

Job Info

• Job Identification 72999
• Job Category Design & Technology
• Posting Date 10/14/2025, 02:31 PM
• Apply Before 10/27/2025, 07:00 AM
• Job Schedule Full time