Who are we?
The information below covers the role requirements, expected candidate experience, and accompanying qualifications.
Polytag is a well-funded, revenue producing scale-up developing technology to enable the packaging circular economy. Alongside this we are also developing a full ‘connected packaging’ solution for SME’s built on GS1 standards.
We have delivered a platform business based around a rich data registry that enables a range of stakeholders across the circular economy to describe, tag and trace packaging through the supply chain: working with ‘tagging partners’ who specialise in various printing formats on high-speed label-lines; robotics experts developing hardware to sort packaging in recycling centres; applications to scan unique codes to verify product identities; with GS1 web technology to provide consumers access to rich dynamic content and enable interoperability across supply chain systems.
Polytag is led by Alice Rackley, our CEO, who has experience leading teams developing disruptive mobile and platform technology solutions that make a real tangible difference in consumer-facing businesses.
The team is committed to building products using agile practices and modern scalable technology, guided by customer feedback. You will work in a trusting, thought-provoking environment that encourages collaborative problem-solving in order to implement creative solutions that are designed to save the Planet. Quite literally.
If you want to be part of a team that is striving to make a tangible difference to the plastics problem, and contribute to solving the climate change challenge, please read on.
Job Brief
This is a really exciting opportunity to develop Polytag technology in a new product that will support the overarching goals of disrupting the recycling economy and providing transparency into packaging lifecycles.
We are looking for a Product Lead to support shaping the design of scalable, intuitive solutions. You’ll be part of a cross-functional team that’s responsible for the full development life cycle, from conception to deployment - covering software design and integration, programme management, customer engagement and competitor benchmarking.
As the Product Lead, you should be comfortable hosting stakeholder workshops, translating customer needs into technology solutions, maintaining consistent sprint protocols. You should also be a team player with a knack for visual design and data displays.
All roles at Polytag require full KPI ownership and autonomy, no micro-management here: Roll-your-sleeves-up-to-your-neck-in-dig-deep-belief-everything-you’ve-got-dreamingabout-making-it-work satisfaction. We have four major products that make up the Polytag proposition, and as each one grows you will support building out the product team.
This is a hybrid working role. Candidates should show a willingness to work anywhere within the UK for up to 3 days each month depending on customer needs, and we meet as a whole team in person once a quarter. Our ultimate intention is to hire a permanent team that can do 2 – 4 days a month in person in an office around the Chester area: Polytag definitely supports the ‘work where works for you’ philosophy, but we also believe in the power of informal chats, team banter and socialising to build successful teams. And that means we have to get together in real life. Plus, with younger team members at an early stage in their careers we can’t support and teach them about the ‘invisible stuff’ (building rapport, stakeholder management, office etiquette) on 100% Teams calls.
Key Responsibilities
Be hands-on, become an expert in Polytag’s products, knowing every detail of how they should work and how they perform, keeping customer needs at the forefront of your mind.
Participation in the Software Development Lifecycle including task estimation, sprint reviews, stand-ups, testing (testing, testing!), and deployment using Agile development practices.
Manage the product backlog, prioritizing tasks and maintaining an accurate, up-to-date position of our product management tool.
Conduct regular testing of our products in addition to pre-release testing and develop strategies to stress test our products as we prepare to scale them further.
Ensure business logic behind our features is documented thoroughly and clearly in a well-organized manner.
Continuously seek to incrementally improve the tools, features and processes of the Polytag products through user testing, insight workshops and detailed competitor benchmarking.
Establish strong collaborative partnership with teams and individuals within the business, and with partners.
Respond to incoming customer queries related to our products.
Run internal testing with the Polytag team and garner feedback on our products.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Demonstrable experience in a product role
Knowledge about designing and developing UX for web and mobile apps (don’t need to actually do it, understand the process and have opinions)
Experience using analytics tools to understand how products are used to support enhancements
Strong analytical, technical, and communication skills
Experience using Agile development methods and tools
Knowledge of FMCG and category management is a bonus
Excellent at managing complex stakeholder groups
Benefits
£60,000 annual salary, auto enrolment in a pension, 25 days holiday a year (plus bank holidays on top).
Cake on your birthday.
Polytag is an equal opportunity employer that places a high value on diversity and inclusion. Working in a way that enables you to make a positive contribution to what we do in the way that works for you. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we support applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.