Head of Technical and Quality in London

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.

The Head of Technical and Quality has a fundamental role in developing our product proposition and supporting trading teams to exceed customer expectations.

What you will be doing:

• Define and lead technical governance, risk management, and compliance strategy for the business across food and non-food.
• Define our own brand strategy and grow OB as a proportion of sales.
• Define sourcing and welfare policies, working with Sustainability and other teams across food and non-food.
• Define technical and development standards including systems landscape.
• Accountable for product safety, quality and technical standards across food and non-food.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction for the technical, safety and product development team, promoting a strong safety and quality culture.
• Develop and implement technical policies, guidelines, and standards that comply with regulations and establish new benchmarks for excellence in product development.
• Oversight of our Asian sourcing office from a product and technical standpoint.
• Be the subject matter expert on regulatory and legislation changes across food and non-food.
• Operationalise regulation changes into the business through the Comm Ops, Trading and Marketing teams.
• Be a SME on regulatory and legislation change.
• Represent the business externally on regulatory matters (e.g. trading standards, food agencies), lobbying externally as required.
• Lead your team to collaborate with our Asia peers to manage the supply base to ensure that we are working with the most capable factories to deliver the best value for money, driving excellence in quality and Ethical standards.

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience in a senior technical role within retail or manufacturing.
• Food and non-food experience.
• Strong understanding of BRCGS, retailer codes of practice, HACCP, VACCP/TACCP, and UK food legislation.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to mobilise teams.
• Regulatory experience.
• A passion for product.
• A self-starter, with a proven record of driving projects forward independently.
• A hands-on leader with excellent management and influencing skills.
• A collaborative approach and ‘can do’ attitude.
• Experience of building a team desirable.

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office.
• 4pm Friday Finish.
• Flexible Working.
• 25 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday.
• Family Friendly Leave.
• Company Pension scheme.
• Sharesave Scheme.
• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance.
• Competitive Salary and Car Allowance.
• Private Medical.
• Staff Discount Card for stores and online.

About us:

Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

Our UK Travel office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone.

At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here. We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!