Description
The Role
As a Product Development Manager within our Stock and Pricing team, you'll be at the heart of driving Next forward in a fast-paced retail landscape. You'll take ownership of a diverse portfolio of application development projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the high standards our business expects. Working closely with both technical experts and business stakeholders, you will bridge the gap between complex requirements and high-quality software solutions. Whether you're refining our applications strategy or mentoring your team, you'll be supported by a collaborative IT community and provided with the tools needed to navigate our agile framework effectively.
You will be leading the Logistics development team of 10 developers supported by a BA and testers. Responsible for the support and development of the suite of applications including Inbound Logistics System (ILS), UK Inbound Logistics System (UKILS), Fastrack+ and Export Logistics System (ELS). These applications combine mainframe with .Net/Azure technologies.
What you'll take on
In this role, your day-to-day will be varied, balancing technical oversight with people leadership to deliver tangible business outcomes:
* Lead and develop a team of Developers, fostering a learning culture through coaching, performance monitoring, and regular one-to-ones.
* Manage the full product and project lifecycle, from validating business requirements and proving feasibility to ensuring a smooth handover to support teams.
* Collaborate with subject-matter experts and architects to agree on design standards and tools, ensuring our systems remain secure, integrated, and high-performing.
* Maintain transparency across the business by providing clear, professional updates on progress, risks, and key decisions.
* Drive quality and governance, ensuring all documentation is accurate and compliant with essential legislation, such as FCA and PCI guidelines.
* Partner with the wider business to prioritise user needs and ensure IT deliverables are always aligned with our strategic goals.
What you'll bring
We're looking for a proactive leader who thrives in a demanding, technical environment and understands the nuances of a busy retail operation:
* Proven technical expertise: You have an extensive track record of managing complex portfolios and delivering development projects from start to finish.
* Strong leadership: You're an experienced manager who knows how to motivate a team, manage recruitment needs, and develop the skills of those around you.
* Excellent communication: You can translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and build lasting relationships across different departments.
* An Agile mindset: You have a solid understanding of Agile methodologies and a knack for planning and prioritising in a shifting environment.
* Attention to detail: You take pride in maintaining high standards of governance, security, and integrity in everything you deliver.
* Technical curiosity: While not essential, a working knowledge of Mainframe environments would be a great advantage.
#LI-LE1 #LI-Hybrid