Circular Product Design Developer KTP Associate (Fixed Term for 27 Months)

Location: Birmingham, West Midlands

Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Friday 07 June 2024

Beeswift Limited and the College of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles located within the Parkside at Birmingham City University are looking to appoint a high calibre graduate (graduated within the last five years) as a Circular Product Design Developer KTP Associate).

This position forms part of the Knowledge Transfer programme (KTP), co-funded by a grant from Innovate UK and Beeswift Limited. It is essential you understand the fundamentals of how a KTP works between a business and the University and the vital role you will play if you successfully secure this position. The Circular Product Design Developer (KTP Associate) will have access to a wider range of benefits including a personal development budget of £4,500 to upskill during the project.  For more information, please go to: http://bcuadvantage.co.uk/funding/knowledge-transfer-partnerships

The successful candidate will be employed by Birmingham City University, working fulltime delivering a 27-month KTP project in partnership with Beeswift Limited.  

Beeswift Limited is a manufacturer and wholesaler of Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment encompassing a wide range of safety products and high-quality workwear sold across the UK, EU and the rest of the world. The company provide good quality PPE and workwear from Head to Toe, protecting their customers with superior durability and improved comfort. As one of the country's leading manufacturers and wholesalers of PPE and workwear Beeswift Limited recognise the requirements for products that fall outside their circle of expertise. For further information please visit www.beeswift.co.uk

The successful candidate recruited for this position will be employed as a Circular Product Design Developer (KTP Associate). This role presents an exciting opportunity to work in collaboration with leading academics at BCU to apply knowledge and technical innovation, delivered on site at the company. The Circular Product Design Developer (KTP Associate) should have a minimum 2.1 University qualification in a relevant subject area and should be graduated within the last five years.

LOCATION AND REPORTING

• The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate position will be based at Beeswift Limited, The Hub, Witton, Birmingham, B6 7EU
• The successful candidate will have full access to Birmingham City University’s resources such as offices, labs, and library to complete the KTP project (a workplan has already been written with KPIs and outcome deliverables)
• The Circular Product Design Developer (KTP Associate) will be supervised and mentored by both a lead academic and academic supervisor academics from BCU’s College of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles within the Faculty of Art, Design and Media as well as a company supervisor located at Beeswift Limited who’s aim is to assist the Circular Product Developer to deliver the knowledge into the Beeswift Limited and successfully deliver the 27 month KTP project on behalf of Beeswift Limited and Birmingham City University

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate will work on:

• Reviewing and addressing existing product ranges and manufacturing methods through life cycle assessment analysis.
• Developing strategies to minimise the environmental impact of workwear manufacture and distribution, including product-miles and waste minimisation.
• Carbon footprint reduction in existing processes through onshoring manufacture with the potential to upskill the UK and Northern Ireland supplier base.
• The investigation and introduction of new circular materials in collaboration with knitting and weaving sub-contractors.
• Working with recycling contractors on potential recycling pathways to introduce new recycling infrastructures in collaboration with waste handling sub-contractors.
• The identification and mapping of suitable closed loop systems for new clothing products and accessories.
• Product testing to determine the wear characteristics, flammability, and comfort of new materials.
• Innovative material research, sourcing and testing of new novel textiles.
• Design and develop new circular workwear ranges.
• To work with existing and new suppliers to overcome new product introduction challenges associate with untried materials.
• Creating system interventions to influence consumer behaviour.

The role requires the successful candidate to:

• Undertake market research, focus groups and interviews with stakeholders. 
• Apply systems thinking synthesis to current manufacturing practices and business processes.
• Commit to the Circular economy principles of designing out waste, reuse, the minimisation of textiles going to landfill and the regeneration of natural systems.
• Implement life cycle analysis to assess product impact and manufacturing methods. 
• Develop an in-depth understanding of performance textiles and workwear.
• Prepare and review technical packs and specification documents for sampling.
• Engage with material and product testing in relation to performance requirements.
• Design and develop new product ranges applying sustainable design strategies and systems thinking.
• The Associate will be expected to interact with various stakeholders, this includes university academics, Beeswift management team, suppliers, manufacturers, recyclers, workwear users and students to fulfil the objectives of the role.
• The Associate must also be adept at applying their knowledge to commercial projects, driving value and making an impact where possible, with an ability to solve problems and create innovative solutions.
• The Associate must have the following key attributes to ensure the project’s successful completion.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• A minimum 2:1 undergraduate qualification in Textile Design/ Garment Technologist or similar.
• Knowledge of conducting life cycle analysis of product ranges and business processes. 
• Experience in applying sustainable design strategies and circular solutions to product development.
• Understanding of fabrics, materials, and the design of garment in a performance environment.
• Experience of fabric sourcing and testing of materials to determine the wear characteristics, flammability, and comfort. 
• Practical experience of pattern cutting and garment design with zero waste processes.
• Excellent communication skills to express ideas effectively, orally, graphically and in writing to articulate complicated matters between the academics and the company project team members.
• An ability to work to tight deadlines (with attention to detail) and maintain high standards of work.
• An ability and aptitude to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team; and self-management and planning skills to make optimum use of time; and 
• Strong leadership skills in successfully implementing and embedding new innovations within a company or organisation.

Desirable:

• Experience of inhouse or external testing of performance materials, preferably within a workwear environment.
• Knowledge of PPE and relevant performance sector industry experience, specifically workwear. 
• Experience in IP development and protection.
• Knowledge of textiles and hardware within the context of closed material loops.
• Academic acumen to enable successful reporting through research publications in academic journals and marketing/training materials.
• A clean driving license and a willingness to travel to utility contracts throughout the UK.

On a personal note, the Associate should be enthusiastic, motivated, punctual, conscientious, trustworthy and a good team worker.

Interviews to take place w/c 8^th July 2024

For further information please contact Beth White at beth.white@bcu.ac.uk or Zoe Hillyard at zoe.hillyard@bcu.ac.uk or Sabine Lettman at sabine.lettmann@bcu.ac.uk.

Further details: 

Job Description    

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so, and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.