URBN - Product Safety Specialist UK/EU (12 month FTC) in London

URBN UK Limited is part of the URBN Group, a global retailer, with its European Head Office located in London. Its retail offering in Europe takes the form of three brands. With stores in more than 10 European countries and a strong e-commerce presence, we’re driven by the same core values as our customers, and we approach our work with a sense of community and purpose that sets our brands apart. We love what we do.

URBN’s Global Trade and Compliance department is seeking a Product Safety Specialist to help ensure we deliver safe, reliable products to our customers worldwide. In this critical role, you will champion regulatory compliance across the business, driving adherence to global standards with a specific focus on our EU and UK markets.

What You'll Be Doing

• Regulatory Strategy & Compliance: Monitor Global Regulations: Track regulations in the EU, UK, and other key regions, advising leadership on business impacts and necessary compliance steps. Manage Audits: Oversee the Regulatory Audit process to ensure EU/UK products and vendors comply with regional laws and URBN policies. Drive Global Alignment: Collaborate with the US Regulatory Compliance team to ensure a unified, global approach to product safety. Maintain Documentation: Keep Regulatory Guidelines and related compliance documents up to date. Optimize Processes: Identify and implement efficiencies in UK/EU regulatory workflows.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Education: Integrate Product Safety: Partner with buying, brand, and production teams to ensure safety is a priority throughout the design, development, and procurement processes. Educate Stakeholders: Proactively inform vendors and internal teams about new laws, regulatory updates, and changes to URBN policies. Benchmark Best Practices: Engage with industry peers to stay current on product safety trends and compliance approaches.
• Issue Resolution & Risk Management: Address Safety Concerns: Analyze customer reviews to identify potential safety issues and partner with internal teams to resolve them swiftly and effectively. Conduct Root Cause Analyses: Engage directly with vendors to investigate and correct product safety concerns. Liaise with External Partners: Collaborate with third-party testing labs, legal counsel, and regulatory enforcement bodies to manage compliance requirements.

What You'll Need

• Strategic Execution: Proven ability to think conceptually, plan, and execute projects while managing resources and driving business decisions.
• Organizational Excellence: Highly detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize personal workload and effectively delegate tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative Leadership: A proactive team player skilled at building global relationships and solving problems with an open-minded, innovative approach.
• Expert Communication: Excellent written and verbal skills, with a specific talent for summarizing complex information for diverse audiences.
• Adaptability: Flexible and self-motivated, with a knack for identifying opportunities for improvement and pivoting as industry landscapes change.
• Technical Proficiency: High degree of proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent (highly preferred).
Industry Experience: Regulatory Compliance or Product Safety, ideally within the apparel or retail sectors.
Strategic Track Record: Demonstrated success in developing and implementing comprehensive regulatory compliance programs and strategies.
Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of global product safety regulations, industry best practices, and emerging compliance trends.
Analytical Rigor: Proven experience analyzing complex regulations and third-party lab test reports to ensure product safety.
Industry Networking: Well-versed in the key organizations and initiatives driving compliance within the retail and apparel space.

The Perks

• Work-life balance: Flexible start and finish times.
• Bring your dog to work.
• Wellbeing: Employees Assistance program to support with mental, physical and financial health.
• Fully equipped free gym and on-site wellness room in Brick Lane and 50% discount of external gym memberships.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Employee Discount: Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands.
• Pension: 3% contributions.
• Community: One paid day to either volunteer or fundraise for a charity of your choice.
• Travel: Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan.
• Continued Development: We offer structured support within the business alongside continued learning and development.

Equal Opportunity Statement

URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.