Our furniture here at Oak Furnitureland is designed with real homes in mind, built to last with responsibly sourced materials. As a Product Quality Technical Manager, you will play a critical leadership role in defining, implementing, and continuously improving our quality assurance and product development processes.
Reporting to the Head of Quality, Compliance, and ESG, you will lead a team of two Product Quality Technologists, overseeing quality strategy, technical and product development. You will collaborate closely with internal teams and suppliers to ensure that all products meet and exceed quality expectations, aligning with industry standards and customer needs, driving the successful launch of new products whilst maintaining and enhancing the quality of existing lines.
Your expertise will be instrumental in shaping a robust quality management framework that enhances durability, safety, and performance across our product ranges.
This role is based in our head office in Swindon and we can offer hybrid working with 2 days in the office and 3 from home.
Key responsibilities:
1. Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team of two Product Technologists.
2. Provide guidance and professional development opportunities to ensure the team meets quality objectives and delivers exceptional results.
3. Champion a proactive quality culture, embedding robust quality management principles within the business and supply chain.
4. Define, implement and manage strategic quality control and assurance framework to maintain rigorous standards, ensuring products meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements.
5. Develop and manage risk mitigation strategies, ensuring compliance with UK, EU and relevant international product safety and performance standards (e.g. BS, EN, ASTM, ANSI).
6. Ensure adherence to internal quality standards and, working with the Compliance and Standards Specialist, define regulatory compliance requirements.
7. Regularly monitor and review product performance in the market, analysing feedback and returns data to drive continuous improvements.
8. Lead root cause analysis for quality issues, combining practical appraisals and fault data insights as well as colleague and customer feedback to inform product improvements.
9. Lead the end-to-end development of new furniture products, ensuring quality is embedded from concept to market launch.
10. Define, implement, and uphold rigorous product quality and technical standards, ensuring compliance with durability, safety, and performance requirements.
11. Collaborate with Buying and Sourcing teams to drive seamless product launches and range enhancements, ensuring successful technical product realisation.
12. Work directly with suppliers and factories to ensure smooth transitions from design to production, maintaining consistency and quality.
13. Conduct regular supplier and factory visits, production audits, and risk assessments, identifying potential quality challenges and implementing corrective actions.
Skills and experience:
1. Experience managing and mentoring a team, fostering a supportive and high performing work environment.
2. Strong knowledge of furniture construction, materials, and manufacturing processes across key commodities.
3. Deep understanding of UK, EU, and global product safety standards and regulations (e.g., BS, EN, ASTM, ANSI).
4. Experience with quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001), product testing methodologies, and certification processes.
5. Strong numeracy and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and drive informed decision-making.
6. Excellent communication skills, capable of conveying complex technical information to internal teams and suppliers.
7. Strong problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing product quality challenges.
8. Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
9. IT proficiency, including experience using MS Word, Excel, and PPT.
10. A Diploma, Degree or qualification in a relevant technical subject.
Benefits:
1. Employee discount: amazing discounts available on all Oak Furnitureland products after successful completion of probation.
2. Life assurance: free cover of a minimum of two times your annual salary up to the age of 65.
3. Birthday: an additional day off for you to celebrate your birthday.
4. 25 days holiday.
5. Pension: 4% employee contribution matched by the company.
6. Employee Assistance Programme: gives all employees access to both telephone and face-to-face counselling services.
7. My Rewards Programme: offers discounts on everything from restaurants and supermarkets, to entertainment and holidays.
8. Free on-site parking.
9. Hybrid working.
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