Innovation Lab Manager UK

📋 Description

• • Join Back Market, a global leader in the refurbished tech industry, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable technology. We are on a mission to make tech reliable, affordable, and better than new, significantly reducing our collective environmental impact by offering trustworthy, budget-friendly devices with substantially lower carbon emissions compared to new products. Every device sold on Back Market contributes to a healthier planet, embodying our core principle: 'do more with what we already have.'
• • As the Innovation Lab Manager, based in our vibrant London office near Waterloo Station, you will be an integral part of the Quality team. This permanent contract role offers a hybrid work model, including one remote day per week and one remote work week per quarter, allowing for a flexible and balanced work-life integration.
• • Your primary responsibility will be to manage and enhance our quality control processes, ensuring the highest standards are met across our marketplace. Simultaneously, you will be instrumental in developing and operating the Back Market Innovation Lab, a cutting-edge facility designed to showcase our industry leadership and technological prowess in refurbishment.
• • **Quality Audits & Monitoring:**
• • Conduct rigorous and regular mystery shopping exercises to meticulously assess the quality of products offered by our sellers. This involves evaluating products against Back Market's stringent quality benchmarks and identifying any deviations.
• • Proactively identify, prioritize, and execute strategic factory visits to conduct in-depth audits of seller quality control procedures. The goal is to gather critical insights, identify best practices in refurbishment techniques, and understand the latest technological advancements within the industry.
• • Analyze audit findings to provide actionable feedback and recommendations to sellers, driving continuous improvement in their operational quality.
• • **Innovation Lab & Brand Equity:**
• • Architect, build, and operate a state-of-the-art Innovation Lab. This facility will serve as a premier venue for hosting high-profile events such as press conferences, investor roadshows, and industry showcases, effectively demonstrating Back Market's leadership and expertise in the refurbishment sector.
• • Design and coordinate engaging discovery workshops tailored for clients, prospects, and sellers. These sessions will aim to foster greater awareness and understanding of the benefits of refurbishment, while also serving as a crucial channel for gathering valuable customer feedback and market intelligence.
• • Spearhead strategic initiatives and communication efforts specifically designed to enhance Back Market's brand equity and market perception as a leader in sustainable technology.
• • Actively highlight and promote Back Market's technological expertise and innovative approach to refurbishment through various internal and external communication channels, including digital platforms, industry publications, and public relations.
• • **Seller Quality & Operations:**
• • Provide expert advisory services to sellers, guiding them on optimizing their manufacturing and refurbishment processes. This includes recommending the most effective tools, equipment, and technical procedures to achieve superior product quality.
• • Establish, nurture, and manage a comprehensive knowledge network for our seller community. This network will serve as a central hub for sharing best practices, technical guidance, and resources, facilitating their journey towards achieving refurbishment excellence.
• • Curate and maintain a specialized catalog of essential key components, advanced machinery, and cutting-edge software. These resources will be available at negotiated prices, empowering sellers to invest in the necessary infrastructure to consistently deliver the highest quality standards.
• • Equip our Seller Success Managers (SSMs) with detailed, actionable insights derived from quality audits and market analysis. This will enable SSMs to develop and implement highly tailored improvement plans for sellers, focusing specifically on enhancing technical performance, aesthetic presentation, and accessory quality of refurbished devices.
• • This role requires a proactive, analytical, and hands-on approach, with a strong commitment to driving quality and innovation within the circular economy.