Technical Lead - Footwear

Technical Lead - Footwear Testing
Kettering
Hours - Monday to Friday 37.5 hrs
Salary up to £42k plus great benefits

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Technical Lead to join a well-established organisation within the testing and certification sector. This role is ideal for someone with strong leadership skills, technical knowledge, and a passion for delivering high standards within a customer-focused environment.

Working within a specialist footwear testing department, you will be responsible for supervising a team of technicians and technologists while ensuring quality standards, workflow efficiency, and customer expectations are consistently achieved.

Key Responsibilities
Lead and supervise a team of technical staff within the laboratory/testing environment
Manage workloads, scheduling, and departmental priorities
Support staff development through training, mentoring, and performance management
Ensure compliance with quality systems and health & safety procedures
Monitor KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives
Liaise directly with customers regarding projects, results, and technical queries
Prepare technical reports and presentations
Support seminars, customer meetings, and occasional international travelCandidate Requirements

Essential:
A-Level education in Maths or Science (or equivalent)
Previous supervisory or team leadership experience
Strong organisational and planning skills
Experience in a technical, testing, laboratory, or quality-focused environment
Excellent communication and customer-facing skills
Confident using Microsoft Office packages including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Strong problem-solving ability and attention to detail
Ability to work independently and collaborativelyDesirable:
Degree in Maths, Science, or related discipline
Experience within a commercial or customer-focused technical environment
Footwear industry experience
Experience presenting technical information or seminars
Full UK driving licence
Exposure to sales, marketing, or business development activitiesBenefits
Competitive salary up to £42,000
25–30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Pension scheme
Life assurance
Income protection
Flexible working hours
Free onsite parkingThis is a fantastic opportunity to join a respected organisation offering long-term career development, technical progression, and the opportunity to work within an innovative and collaborative environment