Product Developer

Join our Product Development team and be responsible for the design, development and delivery of new and existing kitchen, worktop, cabinet and related products. An exciting opportunity for someone with excellent product development experience who understands and can support with bringing “product to market”.
This is a permanent opportunity based from our office in Howden, Yorkshire 4 days per week with 1 day working from home.
What you will be doing as a Product Developer:

• Developing and specifying new market leading and existing products to ensure optimised quality, availability, cost, functionality and sustainability.
  
• Leading specific NPD & NPI projects from scope to launch: Including solving challenges, managing risks, working at pace and delivering pre-production product sign off to ensure product launch OTIF.
  
• Involved with project work to explore and develop new ideas, builder experiences and the constant review and development of our cost of goods.
  
• Being a specialist in materials and technologies to ensure the design and specification of all new products and materials are known, detailed, validated, recorded and communicated to all stakeholders
  
• Work closely and collaboratively with Procurement, Project management, Technical, Quality, and Category Teams as well as our supply base.
  
• Managing conflicting prioritises in projects that are at different stages between early exploration and scope definition, to development and delivery.
  What we need from you:
  
• At least 2 years’ industry experience
  
• End to end understanding of a design process and bringing a product to market
  
• Knowledge and experience of product design and industrialisation, fundamentals or mass production and / or process engineering of new product design
  
• Degree qualified in Product, Industrial or Furniture design is preferred
  
• Experience of NPDI processes
  
• Experience in working with competing demands and multiple projects and dealing with an international supply base.
  
• Adept at working with competing demands and multiple projects
  
• Able to visually communicate concepts or ideas, with a creative approach to problem solving
  
• Have strong influencing skills and the ability to make decisions in an ever-changing fast paced environment
  
• Strong analysis, planning and organisational skills
  
• Able to effectively understand and translate customer and end-user requirements
  
• CAD experience is beneficial, like Solidworks & AutoCAD to be able to communicate ideas, detail key features or validate a design.
  
• Proficiency in Illustrator & Sketch up also beneficial
  What we can offer you:
  
• Competitive salary + annual company bonus
  
• Competitive Pension Plan with a maximum company contribution of 12%
  
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays with the option to buy additional days
  
• Free onsite car parking
  
• Free lunch at our onsite canteen
  
• Staff Discount
  
• Exceptional Reward and Recognition events.
  About Howdens:
  Howdens Joinery is the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware. We have over 900 depots throughout the UK and Europe – making us the first choice for more than 460,000 loyal trade professionals. Last year our sales reached circa 2.3bn, and we have an ambitious growth agenda.
  As well as the opportunity to develop within a fast paced and commercial environment, you will be part of a rewarding organisation recognised for excellence in the workplace in the Best Big Companies to Work For.
  How to apply
  We’re building a future where world-class service, innovation, and sustainability are embedded within our DNA. If Howdens sounds like the kind of place where you can build and develop your career, then we’re keen to hear from you.
  Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email (url removed) with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you.
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