Technical manager

Technical Manager

We are seeking an experienced Technical Manager to lead our repair and refurbishment operations. In this management role, you will oversee a growing refurbishment team and drive the development of efficient workflows for restoring networking and electronic devices. The Technical Manager will combine hands-on expertise in electronics (especially networking and smart-home technology) with strong leadership and process improvement skills. You will work closely with our overseas headquarters to learn and implement new repair & refurbishment techniques, ensuring these methods are successfully adopted in the UK. This role is ideal for a candidate with a deep understanding of electronic equipment and a proven ability to manage refurbishment teams and third-party service providers. The successful candidate will ensure that our repair centre operates smoothly, meets quality benchmarks, and can scale up to handle increased volume as the team expands.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership:
  Supervise and mentor a refurbishment team of electronics repair technicians (with plans to expand). Oversee daily workflows and staff productivity to meet turnaround times and quality standards. Provide technical guidance for complex diagnostics and foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Process Development:
  Develop, implement, and refine workflow processes and standard operating procedures for device repair and refurbishment. Continually review and improve quality control measures to ensure all refurbished units meet company and customer expectations. Introduce best practices and tools for monitoring repair steps and efficiency.
• Technical Oversight:
  Serve as the technical authority for networking devices and consumer electronics in the workshop. Ensure that troubleshooting, diagnostics, and repairs are performed to a high standard. Stay up-to-date with the latest technology and repair methodologies, and facilitate knowledge sharing within the team.
• Training and Adoption of New Techniques:
  Collaborate with overseas HQ technical experts to learn new refurbishment techniques. Adapt and implement these techniques locally, training team members accordingly. Ensure that the team quickly adopts new repair processes or equipment introduced by HQ, maintaining alignment with global standards.
• Resource Management:
  Manage the repair centre's resources, including tools, testing equipment, and spare parts inventory. Plan and allocate resources effectively to handle workload and avoid bottlenecks. Recommend procurement of new equipment or software to improve repair capabilities as needed.
• Third-Party Vendor Management:
  Identify and evaluate third-party service providers for specialised refurbishment services (e.g. board-level repairs or bulk refurbishments). Establish and manage relationships with these vendors, set quality expectations, and monitor their performance. Ensure third-party work meets our quality and turnaround requirements, and negotiate service agreements that benefit the company.
• Reporting and Continuous Improvement:
  Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as repair turnaround time, defect rates, and team productivity. Prepare regular reports for senior management on operational performance. Use data and feedback to drive continuous improvement initiatives in the repair process or customer service.
• Compliance and Safety:
  Ensure all repair activities comply with relevant health and safety regulations and industry standards. Maintain an ESD-safe workshop environment and enforce safe handling of electronic devices. Oversee proper disposal or recycling of electronic waste in line with WEEE regulations.

Required Experience and Skills

• Industry Experience:
  5–10+ years of experience in the UK electronics repair and refurbishment industry, including at least several years in a supervisory or management role. A background in repairing networking devices or similar consumer electronics is essential.
• Technical Knowledge:
  Deep understanding of networking technology (e.g. routers, switches, Wi-Fi devices) and consumer electronic hardware. Strong diagnostic skills at both system and component level. Familiarity with tools for electronics testing, firmware updating, and fault-finding.
• Process Improvement:
  Demonstrated ability to develop and implement efficient workflows or processes in a technical environment. Experience setting up quality control procedures and improving operational efficiency in a repair/refurbishment context.
• Team Building & Leadership:
  Proven track record in building, coaching, or restructuring refurbishment teams. Able to motivate and develop staff, conduct performance management, and recruit technical talent as the team grows. Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to delegate effectively.
• Adaptability and Learning:
  Fast learner with the capability to absorb new techniques and technical knowledge from overseas partners. Willingness to undergo training (potentially abroad or remotely) and then train local staff in those new methods. Open to adopting new tools or software introduced by the HQ.
• Vendor Management:
  Experience in managing external service providers or contractors is highly desirable. Skills in evaluating third-party technical capabilities, negotiating contracts or service level agreements, and ensuring vendor accountability for quality and timeliness.
• Communication:
  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Able to liaise with international teams (overseas HQ) and translate technical instructions or documentation into local practice. Capable of communicating effectively with non-technical stakeholders, customers, and suppliers.
• Organisation & Autonomy:
  Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously. Detail-oriented in documentation and record-keeping. Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision, taking ownership of the repair centre's performance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or Higher National Diploma (HND/HNC) in Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field (or equivalent industry experience).
• Professional certifications in electronics repair or networking (e.g. CompTIA A+ / Network+, IPC electronics repair certification) are an advantage.
• Training in management or leadership (e.g. ILM certification) is a plus, reflecting formal people-management skills.
• Legal Requirements:
  Must have the right to work in the UK. A valid UK driving licence is advantageous for occasional travel to vendors or training sessions, though not mandatory.

Work Environment

This role is
on-site
at our Newbury repair facility, which includes both office, warehouse and electronics workshop environments. The Technical Manager will typically work Monday to Friday during daytime business hours. The work setting is a hands-on electronics lab/repair centre with ESD-protected workstations, diagnostic tools, and lifting equipment for larger devices. You will occasionally be expected to assist on the bench with complex repairs or to observe and audit technicians' work. The environment requires adherence to health and safety protocols, including the use of anti-static precautions and safe handling of equipment. Some occasional travel may be required – for example, visits to third-party service providers or periodic training sessions at the overseas HQ. The role may also involve occasional extended hours when managing urgent projects or deadlines, but we strive to maintain a good work-life balance for our team.

About TP-Link

TP-Link is always on the lookout for passionate individuals, who are enthusiastic about their work and want to progress their career. We are a global company that values diversity and thrives on entrepreneurial values. Since the opening of the UK office (TP-Link UK Ltd), we have achieved remarkable growth. TP-Link offers a great working environment, competitive salary and company bonus, paid holidays and sick leave, and company events. Send us your CV via

 if you feel you have the skills and experience to join TP-Link UK, a global leader in consumer networking and electronics, enterprise networking, security and supporting cloud services.