At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product compliance and quality assurance for toys and educational resources.
- Company: Join Global Education Supplies, a leader in the education sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's safety and product quality.
- Qualifications: Experience in product compliance and knowledge of toy safety standards required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Aylesford, Kent/Hybrid
Salary/package: £55,000 per annum
Contract type: Permanent/Fixed Term
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Help shape safe, inspiring products for children and educators. Are you passionate about product safety, quality and compliance? Do you have expert knowledge of toy regulations, children's products and international product standards? We're looking for an experienced Product Compliance & Quality Assurance Manager to play a critical role in protecting our customers, safeguarding our brand and ensuring every product we bring to market meets the highest standards of safety, quality and regulatory compliance.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong experience in toys, educational products, children's resources or consumer goods who wants to have real influence across product development, supplier management and business decision-making.
Who we are: Global Education Supplies (GES) is part of the Children & Education portfolio at Commercial Services Group (CSG), comprising seven complementary brands that serve the global education sector. These include KCS Education, Landscapes for Learning, Maudesport, Gresswell, Timstar and Technology Supplies. With a customer base spanning more than 90 countries, GES is entering a transformational phase focused on international growth, new product development, marketing investment and operational excellence.
Why this role matters: Our products are used by children in educational settings across the UK and beyond. That means product safety and quality are non-negotiable.
As our Product Compliance & Quality Assurance Manager, you'll lead compliance across a diverse product portfolio, including:
- Toys and play resources
- Educational products
- Classroom equipment
- Furniture
- Arts & craft consumables
- Electronic products and accessories
What you’ll be doing:
Leading Product Compliance
You'll take ownership of compliance across all product categories, ensuring products meet relevant UK and international legislation and standards, including:
- UKCA and CE Marking requirements
- Toy Safety Standards (EN71)
- Children's product regulations
- REACH and chemical safety legislation
- RoHS, EMC and electrical safety requirements
- Packaging and environmental compliance obligations
You'll maintain technical files, Declarations of Conformity and compliance records while managing relationships with testing laboratories and certification bodies.
Being the Compliance Expert
You'll stay ahead of regulatory developments and advise the business on emerging legislation, helping teams understand:
- Regulatory changes
- Compliance risks
- Commercial implications
- Required actions
Your expertise will help shape product sourcing and development decisions from the earliest stages.
Driving Quality Assurance
You'll develop and oversee a robust quality assurance framework, including:
- Product sample reviews and approvals
- Gold seal and pre-production sign-off
- Supplier quality assessments
- Production and goods inspections
- Product returns analysis
- Continuous quality improvement initiatives
You'll ensure products consistently meet both customer expectations and legal requirements.
Working with Global Suppliers
You'll partner with UK and international suppliers, supporting:
- Supplier onboarding
- Compliance audits
- Documentation reviews
- Corrective action plans
- Ongoing quality management
You'll play a key role in building a culture of accountability and excellence throughout the supply chain.
Managing Product Safety Incidents
You'll lead the development of product recall and incident management processes, ensuring the business can respond quickly and effectively when required.
What you’ll get in return:
- Salary of £55,000 per annum
- 25 days annual leave, increasing with length of service
- Birthday Day Off
- One Concessionary Day off during the Christmas Period
- Life assurance cover (4x salary)
- Pension scheme with 6% employer contribution
- Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts, health cash plan and cycle to work scheme
- Volunteer days and access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme
- Tailored development support with real opportunities to progress
- Access to Learning & Development opportunities via our CSG Academy
- Hybrid working
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience within product compliance, quality assurance or product safety
- Strong background in toys, children's products, educational resources or consumer goods
- Excellent understanding of EN71 Toy Safety Standards
- Strong knowledge of UK and EU product compliance legislation
- Experience managing product testing, certification and technical documentation
- Ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into practical business actions
- Excellent attention to detail and risk management capability
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
Why CSG? CSG is the UK’s largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £700 million in revenue per annum and supporting more than 16,000 education and public sector customers globally. We are growing through a combination of organic development, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Our 35+ businesses deliver services across education, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement and more, all focused on delivering meaningful impact. As a locally owned organisation, we take pride in reinvesting a significant proportion of our profits into frontline services, helping strengthen the communities we serve.
Inclusion & Accessibility: We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds. As a member of Inclusive Employers with Silver Accreditation, we are actively building an environment that supports inclusion, flexibility and belonging for all colleagues. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any.
Product Compliance & Quality Assurance Manager - Toys & Education in Aylesford employer: Landscape Services
HR Connect offers a dynamic and supportive work environment in Kings Hill, Kent, where you can thrive as a Payroll Specialist. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide ongoing training and growth opportunities, ensuring you stay at the forefront of HR and compliance practices. Our commitment to a collaborative culture and customer-centric service makes us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Compliance & Quality Assurance Manager - Toys & Education in Aylesford
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Landscape Services!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Landscape Services would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Landscape Services through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Compliance & Quality Assurance Manager - Toys & Education in Aylesford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Compliance & Quality Assurance Manager - Toys & Education, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Product Compliance & Quality Assurance Manager - Toys & Education position at Landscape Services. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Landscape Services
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
