At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the Group's Quality Assurance and Sustainability strategy for toy products.
- Company: Fast-growing toy manufacturing business with a passionate team in the South-East UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make a real impact on sustainability.
- Why this job: Champion best-in-class ESG practices and ensure safety and compliance in fun, innovative products.
- Qualifications: Experience in QA or sustainability in consumer goods, preferably toys, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
The Company
Our client is a fast‑growing toy manufacturing and distribution business that is based in the South‑East (UK). The company has an incredible team that is very experienced in product design, toy sourcing and is well set up with a wide range of trusted vendors in the Far East.
The Role
This role exists to lead and develop the Group's Quality Assurance (QA) and Sustainability strategy, ensuring all products, vendors and processes meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility. This role will champion best‑in‑class ESG practices, drive operational excellence across QA functions, and position sustainability as a core strategic pillar for the Group's businesses and brands.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure all products sold by the Group companies meet applicable legislation, safety standards and our policies.
- Ensure the QA function provides product development support that effectively manages safety risk, ensures legal compliance, delivers robust quality assurance and helps create a differentiated range of great value products.
- Implement and oversee robust product testing, risk assessment and concerns management procedures.
- Develop and implement Group QA and ESG policies, systems and standards, delivering operational efficiency and scalable processes.
- Represent the Group in matters related to toy safety, compliance and sustainability with UK and international partners, regulators and industry bodies.
- Ensure all vendors and manufacturing sites comply with Group policies.
- Define, lead and embed the Group sustainability strategy, aligning with business objectives and brand values.
- Drive cross‑functional sustainability initiatives delivering measurable impact and competitive advantage.
- Oversee ESG reporting, performance metrics and continuous improvement across the business.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant sustainability and environmental legislation.
- Build sustainability awareness and capability across the organisation through training and influence.
- Ensure ethical sourcing and human rights legislation compliance, including compliance with the UK Modern Slavery Act.
- Develop and maintain supplier audit frameworks, standards and improvement programmes.
- Lead cross‑group projects to support compliance, sustainability and continuous improvement.
- Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of emerging legislation, risks and industry best practice.
- Build relationships with industry associations, NGOs, regulatory agencies and key stakeholders.
Skills and Experience
- Significant experience leading QA and/or sustainability teams in a consumer goods environment (preferably toys or children's products).
- Expert knowledge of UK/EU/US toy safety standards, compliance frameworks and ESG legislation.
- Proven ability to design and implement a sustainability strategy with measurable results.
- Strong understanding of ethical sourcing, supply chain standards and manufacturing operations.
- Demonstrable leadership experience across international teams.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Degree in Engineering, Science, Quality Management or related field desired.
- Experience working with Asian manufacturing hubs, particularly China/Hong Kong.
- Experience with retailer compliance schemes and ESG reporting frameworks.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance compliance and commercial priorities.
- High integrity and commitment to ethical business practices.
- Problem‑solver with strong analytical and project management skills.
Head Of Quality Assurance in London employer: Novoexec
Contact Detail:
Novoexec Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Quality Assurance in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and join online forums. The more people you know in the toy manufacturing and QA space, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your previous work in QA and sustainability. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your ability to drive operational excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like ours, and express your interest in potential roles. You never know what opportunities might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow news related to toy safety standards and sustainability practices. Being knowledgeable about current issues will not only prepare you for interviews but also show your passion for the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Quality Assurance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Quality Assurance role. Highlight your experience in QA and sustainability, especially in the toy or consumer goods sector. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact in previous roles, particularly around compliance, safety standards, and sustainability initiatives. This will help us see your potential.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about quality assurance and sustainability in the toy industry. Let us know how you can contribute to our mission and values.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Novoexec
✨Know Your Standards
Familiarise yourself with UK/EU/US toy safety standards and compliance frameworks. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also passionate about quality assurance and sustainability.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led QA or sustainability teams in the past. Highlight specific projects where you implemented strategies that resulted in measurable improvements, as this role requires strong leadership across international teams.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Be ready to discuss how you would align the Group's sustainability strategy with business objectives. Think about how you can drive cross-functional initiatives that deliver both compliance and competitive advantage.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to build relationships with stakeholders, industry associations, and regulatory agencies. Share experiences where you successfully managed stakeholder expectations or collaborated on compliance and sustainability projects.