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About the role
We are seeking a Head of Quality, Technical, Compliance, and Sourcing. This is a newly created role and a rare opportunity to join our Partnership. This is a key senior leadership position responsible for the end-to-end oversight of Own Brand product delivery, uniting the Sourcing and Quality & Technical functions under a single strategic leader. The primary focus is to ensure the Partnership delivers the right product, at the right price, with the right quality standard, supporting commercial ambitions, margin growth, and brand integrity. The role will lead teams in the UK and work closely with international sourcing offices in India and Hong Kong. It serves as the initial link between the commercial and sourcing functions, ensuring that category strategies are effectively translated into sourcing execution and supplier capabilities, while maintaining robust quality and compliance standards.
* Salary – £121,000.00 - £181,000.00
* Contract type – This position is a Permanent contract.
* Working pattern/flexible working – The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you’ll be able to work a mixture between the office and home-based, upon your personal needs, whilst balancing the needs of the business.
* Location – This role is based at our London Head Office campus in Pimlico. There is also travel for this role to our sourcing offices locations in India and Hong Kong.
* Note – The first Stage interview will be in person in our London Head Office in Pimlico on Thursday, 13th November.
Key responsibilities
* You’ll be leading the UK Sourcing and Quality & Technical teams, ensuring cross-function collaboration as the Leader, driving all Own Brand products and partnering with the commercial teams from ideation to quality.
* You will determine where to source products, consolidate suppliers, and secure favourable deals while expanding supply options. Maintain oversight of product quality from start to finish, ensuring factories and suppliers meet high standards. Collaborate with other category teams to help achieve brand and business goals.
* You will be responsible for key sourcing and product quality decisions, reporting directly to senior leadership and influencing decisions across the Partnership.
* You will work closely with regional offices in India and Hong Kong, as well as the UK manufacturing unit. You will hold leads, suppliers and factories accountable for all aspects of product delivery and quality.
* Ensure sourcing is sustainable and ethical, working with the Head of Corporate Responsibility to do things the right way. Stay informed about customer needs, market trends, and new tech using insights and networks.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
* Senior Leadership Experience: Proven senior leadership experience in sourcing, quality, and technical management in both Fashion & Home.
* Strategic & Commercial Acumen: Strategic thinking with the ability to create and deliver sourcing and product assurance plans aligned with commercial goals, including margin, cost levers, and deal dynamics.
* Sourcing & Supply Chain Expertise: Deep knowledge of global sourcing models, including nearshore/offshore dynamics and vendor optimisation. Experience managing large groups of partners and understanding supply chains across multiple product types and manufacturing.
* Quality & Technical Knowledge: A sound understanding of product quality, safety, compliance and sustainability standards.
* Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong ability to influence across matrix functions, particularly Commercial and Design, with the global supplier base and proven network development.
* Team Leadership: Inspirational and visible leadership to unite previously separate functions under a shared purpose and the ability to lead through change.
This role is for the UK\'s largest employee-owned business, so experience in a comparable large-scale retail company, especially with both physical and online channels, would be highly beneficial.
The partnership
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail, continuing to innovate, adapt and diversify. We are committed to price, quality and service for John Lewis and quality for Waitrose.
As Partners we share ownership and rewards, working together through good and challenging times, upholding our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.
We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong, embracing differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and thrive.
As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note: some roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks). If required, you’ll be informed during recruitment. DBS checks may be carried out by a third-party body and financial probity checks may be required for some roles.
We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible.
We want all Partners to have a good work-life balance and support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing, or shorter hour contracts where possible. Please discuss this with the hiring manager during your interview.
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