Responsible Sourcing and Quality Manager

Are you experienced within responsible sourcing and quality management? Come and join Wickes and continue your career in providing safe, compliant and sustainable products through our responsible management of suppliers, manufacturers and raw materials across our Showroom Products. 

We’re looking for a Responsible Sourcing and Quality Manager to contribute to the development and implementation of policies linked to sustainability, ethical trading and product compliance.  You’ll be able to use your expertise to provide technical knowledge and support our commercial team on the sourcing, application and suitability of products entering the supply chain. You’ll also be first level support to customer services and legal teams with any significant  product failures. 

You’ll be provided with a company car as the role requires some travel across the UK and you’ll also have several trips further afield  throughout the year, largely in Europe. 

What you’ll be doing:

You’ll carry out supplier evaluations and approvals using the supplier online risk assessment tool, and ensure all unsatisfactory results are effectively dealt with. You’ll be accountable for the evaluation and approval of products within assigned categories, covering risk assessment and benchmarking processes, to ensure that only compliant products enter the business. You’ll ensure the latest documentation is available depending on risk to demonstrate the product is safe and fit for purpose and a full up to date technical file of the product is accessible within 48hrs of any request made by any member of the Wickes senior leadership team or regulatory authority body.

You’ll categorise the sustainability credentials of a product with consideration to raw materials, production, usage, end of life and breakdown of CO2  and support the Commercial teams through responsible sourcing practice. 

You’ll work with Suppliers to ensure all non-compliance issues are effectively dealt with and appropriate remedial action taken, keeping all key stakeholders regularly informed as well as investigate and report on technical queries and quality concerns in relation to product returns, critical product failures and customer complaints.  You’ll ensure that the team and Business is kept fully informed and up to date on all product related legislation and compliance requirements and establish relationships with the technical/quality contacts at Suppliers and specialist service providers. 

What we are looking for:

The successful candidate is likely to have a Professional/Technical Qualification in an appropriate field or minimum of 5 years experience in Showroom Products, to include Kitchens, appliances , solid surface, Bathrooms & Bedrooms. You’ll also be able to demonstrate:   

• In-depth knowledge of QA Practices and methodology and able to demonstrate practical experience of Supplier, Factory, CSR (Ethical) audits

• In-depth & detailed knowledge of UK product legislation covering safety, legal, environmental & associated technical standards and compliance certification schemes

• Persuasive approach to problem solving at all levels

• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to a broad spectrum of individuals

• Being well organised with the ability to plan workload to achieve deadlines.

• Good numeracy skills and conversant in Google and Microsoft platforms,

• Full UK drivers licence and flexibility to travel. Some overseas travel may be required, depending on categories managed.

What can we offer you?

You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We also have an early careers network to support you if you’re in your first few years of your career. 

We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes: 

Competitive bonus

Save-as-you-earn scheme

Private Medical and Life Assurance

Contributory pension scheme

Colleague discount 

Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. 

You’ll work from our offices in Northampton, where our Responsible Sourcing and Quality team are based, along with our other support functions.  We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture.  We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working. 

About Us: 

Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market.  With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.  

But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.