Product Technologist and Compliance Manager - Furniture and Upholstery

Our Client, a leading manufacturer & Importer of Futons, Sofa Beds and Bed Frames, is currently looking to recruit a Furniture Product Technologist and Compliance Manager to join their fast-paced business.

As a Product Technologist and Compliance Manager, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that products meet the highest quality standards while catering to the diverse requirements of the client’s customers.

Your primary responsibility will be to collaborate with suppliers worldwide to source and develop furniture products that align with the unique specifications of each customer. You will work closely with key account managers, buying and quality assurance teams to drive continuous improvement in product quality and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities include:

• Quality Assurance- Ensure that all products meet established quality standards through thorough testing, inspections, and compliance checks, considering the specific requirements of individual customers.

• Technical Expertise: Stay updated with the latest furniture manufacturing technologies, materials, and production techniques to enhance product quality and innovation.

• Product regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all furniture products comply with industry regulations, safety standards, and certifications, meeting the specific compliance requirements of each customer.

• Supplier regulatory compliance: Support and conduct audits, maintain standards and evaluate risks associated with non-compliance.

• Critical path management: Work closely with the Key Account Manager to align with customer critical path requirements, maintaining relevant customer systems and ensure timely delivery of key launches.

• Customer Meetings: Participate in customer meetings alongside the sales team to gather insights, clarify requirements, and ensure a thorough understanding of customer expectations.

• Supplier Management: Oversee the selection, evaluation, onboarding and management of suppliers ensuring both the company’s standards and customer requirements are met.

• Environmental and Ethical Management: Working with initiatives such as HIGG, EUDR, SMETA and customer specific action plans.

• Documentation: Maintain accurate records of product specifications, testing results, and supplier communications to support effective decision-making, traceability and meet customer requirements.

• Sustainability: Research and incorporate recycled and eco-friendly materials into furniture product development, in alignment with customer preferences and sustainability goals.

• Travel: Undertake periodic travel to Far East supplier locations to maintain supplier relationships, conduct quality and ethical inspections, and collaborate on new product development projects.

Key Skills/Attributes

• Experience in a similar role, in retail or supply chain

• Far east sourcing experience desirable

• Customer-Centric Approach

• Familiarity with compliance management software and tools to streamline compliance processes and reporting.

• Knowledge of quality assurance processes and compliance requirements.

• Excellent time management and organisation skills

• Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills, with high attention to detail

• Strong communication skills and an ability to discuss solutions in a pragmatic way

• Confidence to influence and engage, building relationships with key stakeholders

This is a full-time hybrid role based at the UK Factory near Peterborough. Monday to Friday (9am-5pm). Working from home allowed 2 days per week, negotiable.

In addition to a competitive salary , great company perks including:

• In house training and development

• Workplace pension

• Excellent Westfield Health package, after 12 months of employment including Optical, dental and unlimited 24/7 access to medical support

• Total health & wellbeing support provided by the companies ‘Death in Service Policy’ including mental health support, confidential 24/7 helpline

• Generous holiday allowance with an extra day off on your birthday:

• Employees with up to 1 years’ service holiday days are 22 pa + bank holidays + Birthday. Total 31 days paid holiday.

• For employees with over 1 years’ service holidays increase up to 25 days pa pro rata, + bank holidays, + birthday. Total 34 days paid holiday.

• Sick pay- 3 days with up to 1 years’ service & 5 days with over 1 years’ service

• Free on-site parking

• Hybrid Working arrangements after probation period- 2 days per week

• Employee referral bonus scheme

• Friendly team and a casual office dress code