Technical & Systems Lead / Senior PHP Developer
up to £70,000 + progression to Head of Technology
Crewe, Cheshire | Predominantly site-based initially
We're looking for an unusually capable technical person to take ownership of the technology, systems and technical operations that power an established and growing UK circular technology business.
This is not a conventional software developer role.
Over the last 10+ years we've built our own bespoke PHP-based technology covering e-commerce, device trade-in, refurbishment, warehouse operations, logistics, B2B platforms, marketplace integrations, automation and internal business systems.
Technology sits at the heart of how our business physically operates.
We're now looking for someone who can take ownership of that environment and help us build what comes next.
The role
You'll work directly with the CEO and operational teams and take responsibility for understanding how the business works — not simply how the code works.
Some days you'll be developing PHP.
Other days you might be on the warehouse floor working out how software, hardware and operational processes should come together to create a faster and more scalable workflow.
You could be troubleshooting an API or marketplace integration, working with Amazon or Back Market on a technical or operational issue, implementing hardware into a new warehouse process, investigating why something isn't working or designing the next piece of technology the business needs.
We're looking for somebody who enjoys all of that.
What you'll take ownership of
You'll inherit and develop our existing bespoke PHP technology estate and become the internal technical owner of the systems that run the business.
That includes:
- Bespoke PHP applications and internal systems
- E-commerce and trade-in platforms
- Warehouse and refurbishment technology
- B2B systems and portals
- APIs and third-party integrations
- Amazon, Back Market and other marketplace integrations
- Databases and reporting
- Hardware and software used within operational processes
- Technical relationships with key external partners
- Troubleshooting technical and operational problems
- Automation and AI opportunities
- Future systems architecture and development
You'll also work closely with the operational team to design and implement new processes.
That could mean taking an objective such as:
"We need to process this type of device through this warehouse operation accurately, quickly and at scale."
…and working out the complete solution.
What hardware do we need?
What should the physical workflow look like?
What data needs capturing?
What software needs developing?
Where should automation be introduced?
How do the systems integrate?
How do we measure whether it is working?
Then you'll help actually implement it.
We're looking for someone technically strong
You'll ideally have strong experience across:
- PHP
- Laravel and/or Symfony
- MySQL/MariaDB
- JavaScript and modern front-end technologies
- REST APIs
- Third-party integrations
- Git
- Linux/server environments
- AWS or similar cloud infrastructure
- Debugging and supporting substantial existing codebases
- Hardware/software integration
- Automation and modern AI-assisted development
But technical ability alone isn't enough.
The person we're looking for
You need to be commercially and operationally minded.
We want somebody who naturally asks:
"What is the business trying to achieve?"
before deciding what technology to build.
You'll need to be comfortable talking to developers, warehouse operatives, managers, suppliers, marketplace partners and the CEO — and translating business problems into practical technical solutions.
We're looking for somebody who:
- Wants ownership rather than simply a list of development tickets
- Is naturally curious about how a business operates
- Gets involved rather than saying "that's an operations problem"
- Can work directly with external partners and their technical teams
- Is comfortable getting their hands dirty
- Can move between software, hardware and physical operational processes
- Understands commercial priorities and can prioritise development accordingly
- Can diagnose problems calmly and methodically
- Knows when to improve an existing system rather than unnecessarily rebuilding it
- Can identify where AI and automation can genuinely improve the business
- Can help shape the future technical roadmap
You don't need to have been a CTO or Head of Technology before.
This could particularly suit an exceptional Senior Developer, Technical Lead or technically minded systems person who feels capable of much more than their current role allows.
For the right person, we see this developing into a Head of Technology position with responsibility for the company's technical strategy and future technical team.
We're less interested in titles than we are in finding someone exceptionally capable, commercially aware, technically strong and willing to take ownership.
Salary: up to £70,000 depending on experience
Location: Crewe, Cheshire
Working pattern: Predominantly site-based initially, with flexibility once established
Role: Permanent, full-time
Pay: Up to £70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
