Head of Quality- Country Road Group

Join the Sourcing and Sustainability team in this newly created role supporting the strategic focus and growth of our business.

The role

This autonomous role is responsible for setting Country Road Group quality standards and benchmarks, as well as reporting, intervention, risk management support and corrective action. You will ensure CRG product is compliant to mandatory standards and legislative requirements.

Reporting to the GM of Sourcing and Supply Chain, you will also focus on auditing and surveillance of product and processes, in addition to the implementation of process to manage vendors technical compliance and quality outturn.

Based in Melbourne with a hybrid mix of time in the office and from home, this role will suit a highly commercially astute and passionate individual.

Key responsibilities will include;
- Create Standards and establish targets on Quality across all divisions
- Establish and maintain, relevant Quality manuals, process documents and procedures pertaining to quality and fabrication across all divisions
- Implement strategies to mentor suppliers on continuous improvement across all divisions
- Manage the on boarding of new suppliers from a Quality aspect across all divisions
- Reduce time and cost wherever possible within CRG systems across all divisions
- Communicate Quality standard requirements for all divisions, internally and externally to suppliers and agents
- Notify Key Stakeholders of any quality issues resulting in cancellation or rework across all divisions
- Manage all withdrawn styles, through Workplace and Retail Ops including RSA and NZ across all divisions
- Communicate all quality issues to retail teams through Retail Ops and Workplace including RSA and NZ across all divisions
- Collaborate with suppliers and support internal production teams with raising claims in relation to withdrawn, cancelled and reworked styles across all divisions
- Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with agents and suppliers to ensure quality products across all divisions
- Establish and maintain one-on-one contact with current and emerging global suppliers to ensure quality expectations and all quality process requirements are clear and being met across all divisions
- Establish strong working relationships with CRG internal teams and all suppliers. Conduct open communications on quality standards, procedures, issues and improvements across all divisions
- Proven experience within a similar role
- Diploma or degree qualification in quality assurance, supply chain, logistics and/or relevant related discipline
- Proven understanding of local and offshore manufacturing and retail business acumen
- Experience working with offshore factories and suppliers
- Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills
- Attention to detail in both workmanship and overall quality of a garment
- Development and management of quality systems and procedures
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Strong planning and organisational skills

Why work for us?
- A competitive remuneration package, including an annual bonus incentive
- Generous employee discounts across David Jones, Country Road, Mimco, Trenery, Witchery & POLITIX brands
- Hybrid working arrangements in office and from home that provide appropriate work/life balance
- An additional day of leave for your birthday
- A supportive, highly flexible and engaging environment that will support personal and professional development
- Opportunities to support community partnerships across our Corporate Social Responsibility program
- Be a member of a company committed to sustainable practices
- Ongoing training and development to pursue individual ambitions

About Us

David Jones and the Country Road Group is Australasia’s largest department store and fashion retail group comprising of iconic brands such as David Jones, Country Road, POLITIX, Trenery, Witchery and MIMCO. Our Values include being Customer Obsessed, Collaborative, Inspirational, Responsible and Dedicated to Quality. We are looking for highly motivated and passionate individuals to be part of the Group’s evolution and support each brand to realise their full potential.