Head of QA

Reporting to the Category & Design Director, the Head of Quality, Compliance & Sustainability will lead the overall quality, product testing and safety, factory compliance and sustainability agenda across the business. The role will provide strategic leadership to the existing QA and QC teams whilst building a future-ready governance framework capable of supporting growth on a global basis
A key objective is to integrate the business into the wider operating model, leveraging global resources, shared services and specialist expertise. The successful candidate will elevate the UK function from transactional execution to strategic governance, ensuring the team focuses on risk management, supplier performance, regulatory readiness and continuous improvement, whilst ensuring the day to day is delivered

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead QA, QC, Compliance and Sustainability functions, writing procedures where needed and evolving methods of collection to meet customer requirements

Manage sustainability and compliance communication internally as well with customers and attend regular meetings, trainings, seminars.

Undertake ongoing research, study and training on latest sustainability and compliance requirements in the industry

Work with the company’s cross functional departments to facilitate checking traceability and validation of compliance, sustainability related paperwork

Own quality strategy, product safety and compliance governance, advising and guiding team on global and relevant testing standards

Develop supplier compliance programmes, audit frameworks and scorecards, driving improvement through ongoing work with In-Country sourcing teams

Own quality strategy, product safety and compliance governance, advising and guiding team on global and relevant testing standards
Evolve and Update Risk Assessments

Oversee testing programmes including requirements for the company and Customers and relevant production inspections

Lead sustainability initiatives including traceability, environmental certifications and carbon reporting.
Act as subject matter expert on emerging UK and EU regulations.
Build reporting frameworks for customers, licensors and senior leadership.
Partner with Category, Design, Sales, Merchandising and Sourcing teams to ensure compliance is embedded into product development.

Manage a small team of on-site QA personnel and collaborate with In- Country teams,

Act as the primary liaison between global Quality, Compliance, Sustainability and Sourcing teams.

Develop a roadmap to integrate processes into global operating frameworks.

Identify opportunities to transition administrative activities into shared service functions, keeping Uk resource focused on strategic priorities

Establish clear ownership, governance and accountability across UK and global teams.

Standardise processes, reporting and best practice across regions.

Drive organisational change and integration

Lead readiness for Digital Product Passports, EPR, PPWR, ESPR and future EU sustainability legislation.

Develop supply chain traceability and sustainability reporting capabilities.

Ensure compliance with retailers and regulatory requirements across all markets.

Direct leadership of QA, QC and Compliance personnel.
Develop future capability and succession plans.
Build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and proactive risk management.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED

10+ years' experience in Quality, Compliance, Product Safety, Sustainability or Supply Chain Governance.
Experience within Retail, Textiles, Homewares, Consumer Products
Strong understanding of UK and EU consumer product legislation.
Experience managing supplier compliance and international supply chains.
Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
Experience leading transformation, change management or shared service integration initiatives preferred.

Experience with ethical audit programs: SMETA, BSCI, SLCP, etc.

Experience with sustainability & environmental programs: GOTS, GRS, RCS, OCS, BCSS, Higg Index etc.

Understanding Sourcing and Selling market country laws, regulations – or research/study as needed

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Please be aware the duties listed above are an interpretation of the role and do not form any part of your employment contract. Please ask the interviewer any questions about the role that you wish to clarify.

Tagged Resources Limited acts as an employment agency. We have 25 years of Recruitment and Industry experience, working with Retail and Supply Chain markets and have various positions available. If this vacancy does not suit your experience and you are looking for a suitable role, please look at our website or follow us on social networking sites.  All are updated daily.