Supplier Quality and Compliance Coordinator in New Milton

The Business Passenger is driven by a passion for escapism, connection, and the wellbeing of both people and the planet. As a fast growing brand in the outdoor sector, we create products that are 'made to roam' and embody a culture that embraces inclusivity and fosters a collaborative team environment. We're looking for someone who shares our passion for protecting the planet while building something unique and authentic.

We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Supplier Quality and Compliance Coordinator to drive supplier quality performance, inspection governance, and product compliance alignment, with a focus on supporting scorecard performance and ESPR readiness. This role is not responsible for managing in-line factory inspections directly, but instead focuses on guiding suppliers on quality control expectations, ensuring robust self-inspection processes, and coordinating third-party inspections where required. The role will play a key part in ensuring that bulk production meets approved standards, with a strong emphasis on durability, construction quality, and compliance, while driving continuous improvement through supplier accountability and structured performance tracking. This is primarily an office-based role, with a minimum of 3 days per week at our HQ, enabling close collaboration with the Product, Production, and wider Quality & Compliance teams.

The Quality & Compliance team sits within our Product function, working closely with Product Developers and Production teams to ensure everything we bring to market meets our quality and compliance standards. We're a collaborative group who care deeply about getting the details right — from how a garment is constructed to how it holds up over time. This role is central to that, acting as the bridge between our supplier base and internal teams to drive quality ownership and continuous improvement across our supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Supplier Quality Governance & Performance
  • Guide suppliers on internal quality control processes and expectations.
  • Ensure factories have effective self-inspection systems in place (inline + final).
  • Monitor and review supplier quality performance via scorecards.
  • Identify trends in defects, returns, and inspection results.
  • Drive supplier accountability for recurring issues and underperformance.
  • Support implementation of corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).
• Third-Party Inspection Planning & Oversight
  • Coordinate third-party inspections (AQL) where required based on risk, supplier performance, or product type.
  • Define inspection scope, focus areas, and risk points.
  • Ensure inspection timing aligns with critical path and shipment readiness.
  • Review inspection reports and challenge inconsistencies.
  • Track outcomes and ensure corrective actions are completed prior to shipment.
• Product Compliance & ESPR Alignment
  • Guide suppliers to meet durability and construction standards aligned with ESPR direction, with focus on reinforced high-stress areas (cuffs, seams, waistbands), stitching that withstands reasonable stretch without failure, and construction that supports repairability.
  • Identify and upscale compliance risks in bulk production.
  • Support alignment between approved standards, testing requirements, and bulk output.
• Supplier & DC Issue Management
  • Act as key contact for quality-related issues between suppliers and DCs.
  • Review defect data, imagery, and returns analysis.
  • Lead structured root cause analysis with suppliers.
  • Agree and track corrective actions and improvements; monitor effectiveness and ensure issues are not repeated.
• VAS & Rework Oversight
  • Oversee quality standards for VAS and rework activities, ensuring rework is clearly defined, controlled, and aligned with original product standards.
  • Approve rework approach and validate outcomes where required; ensure reworked goods meet quality and compliance expectations.
• Alignment with QA & Testing
  • Maintain awareness of testing requirements and approvals.
  • Ensure suppliers understand testing standards and implications for bulk production.
  • Flag risks where bulk production does not align with approved standards.
• Reporting & Continuous Improvement
  • Maintain supplier quality scorecards and performance trackers.
  • Report on inspection outcomes, defect trends, and supplier performance.
  • Identify recurring issues and drive preventative improvements.
  • Support continuous improvement of supplier quality systems and governance.
  • Leverage AI tools and digital workflows to drive efficiency in reporting, defect trend analysis, and supplier performance tracking.

Skills & Experience

• 3–5 years' experience in apparel QC, supplier quality, or garment technology.
• Strong understanding of AQL and inspection processes.
• Experience working with third-party inspection providers.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction and common failure points.
• Experience in supplier management and performance tracking.
• Understanding of product compliance and durability requirements (ESPR awareness desirable).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis.
• Confident communicator with suppliers.
• Comfortable adopting AI tools and technology to improve efficiency and decision‑making.

Key Competencies

• Improved supplier scorecard performance.
• Reduced defects and warranty claims.
• Strong supplier ownership of quality control processes.
• Effective use of third-party inspections as a risk management tool.
• Clear alignment between bulk production, quality standards, and compliance requirements.
• Reduced repeat issues through robust corrective actions.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• A culture of freedom, flexibility and trust
• Private Medical Insurance for you and your dependants
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays + a day for your birthday
• Very generous staff discount (50%) and Friends and Family discount (20%)
• £400/annum Passenger Voucher
• 5% Pension contribution
• Annual Volunteering Day to support causes that matter to you