Product Quality Manager (Workwear)

Overview

We’re Kingfisher, A team made up of over 74,000 passionate people who bring Kingfisher - and all our other brands: B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koctas to life. Guided by our purpose Better Homes. Better Lives. For Everyone. We believe a better world starts with better homes, and we work every day to make that a reality. Join us and help shape the future of home improvement.* This role is based in Southampton

As a Product Quality Manager looking after our Workwear category you will provide senior technical expertise across garment product development, ensuring products are safe, legal, fit for purpose, consistently sized and constructed, and deliver the required quality, performance, durability and value for customers. You are accountable for the technical development, approval and ongoing quality performance of Own Exclusive Brand (OEB) garment products within the workwear category.

What's the job?

• Operate as a senior garment technical expert for the category, providing clear and practical guidance to product, design, sourcing and supplier teams.
• Support implementation of the group quality strategy through active application of requirements in daily activities.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders and influence decisions to achieve the right customer, quality and commercial outcome.
• Coach and support colleagues, sharing technical knowledge and consistent ways of working.

Product development, fit and technical standards

• Create, review and maintain clear technical specifications, measurement charts, construction details, bills of materials, risk assessments and product standards.
• Lead fit reviews and sample evaluations, providing accurate comments and resolving issues relating to pattern, grading, sizing, construction, workmanship, comfort and appearance.
• Ensure product development, approval and sealing requirements are clearly briefed, understood and completed in line with the critical path.
• Assess materials, trims and components for suitability, compatibility, performance, durability, care requirements and production viability.
• Work with global buying offices and where required suppliers to resolve technical issues and ensure fit and quality standards are reproducible in bulk production.
• Develop and approve product labelling, care information, packaging warnings and customer instructions where appropriate.

Post-sale product performance 

• Monitor returns and post-sale performance with the Performance Feedback Analyst. 
• Lead post-launch reviews and identify recurring quality or failure trends. 
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective action with suppliers and internal teams. 
• Support safety, regulatory, withdrawal and recall investigations when required. 
• Embed lessons learned into future specifications and sourcing decisions. 

What you'll bring

• Significant experience in garment technology, Workwear product development, technical quality or a related role within retail, brand, manufacturing or supply chain environments. 
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, pattern cutting, grading, fit, sizing and manufacturing methods across relevant product types. 
• Experience creating and reviewing technical packs, measurement specifications, construction standards, risk assessments and product approval documentation. 
• Good knowledge of fabrics, fibres, trims, components, finishing processes, care requirements and common garment failure modes. 
• Practical understanding of garment performance testing, product safety, labelling and applicable UK and EU compliance requirements. 
• Good understanding of supplier quality management, production controls and bulk manufacturing processes. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and implementation of effective corrective actions. 
• Ability to manage priorities and make sound technical decisions while working to a product development critical path. 

How We Work We believe in flexibility and balance. Our hybrid model blends home working for focus with time spent connecting and collaborating - whether in our offices or at offsite locations. On average, around 60% of your time will involve in-person collaboration. 

We value the perspectives new team members bring and encourage you to apply - even if you don’t meet 100% of the requirements. 

What We Offer An inclusive environment where your potential is limited only by your imagination. We encourage new ideas, support experimentation, and strive to create a workplace where everyone can be their best self. Find out more about Diversity & Inclusion at Kingfisher here.   

We also offer a competitive benefits package and plenty of opportunities to stretch and grow your career. Scroll down below to find out more about our benefits. 

Diversity & Inclusion Our customers come from all walks of life - and so do we. We’re committed to ensuring all colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants are treated equally, regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, ethnicity, culture, religion, belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. 

Interested? Great, apply now!

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