To be accountable for maintaining and monitoring the legality, safety and quality (including fitness for purpose) of formulated products in the fragrance department. To drive and maintain QA systems and processes using QMS principles for continuous improvement; and to monitor and report on compliance with those processes. To carry out Technologist responsibilities on specific categories. I.e. ensure all products in own depts. are approved for safety, legality and quality (including fitness for purpose), in line with QA processes and critical path. To develop, manage and maintain the supplier relationships in own depts. and ensure transparency of the supply chain regarding Quality and Ethical behaviours and standards.
To be a role-model for the QA department and foster close working relationships with Buying, DC & Customer facing teams to influence product development and improvement of hard-lines.
What you'll be doing
Product
- Maintain & monitor all legal, safety and technical aspects of fragrance products (Cosmetics/Bath & Body and Home Fragrance products)
- Maintain own working knowledge of current and emerging legislation and ensure relevant Home Team have proper understanding of relevant and/or new requirements
- Drive continuous improvement across all hard-line product areas, in line with Company & QA Strategy.
- Keeping abreast of innovations, best practice and industry competitor standards and support, guide and co-ordinate team activities including e.g.
- research and benchmarking exercises
- analysis/evaluation of customer feedback, complaints and returns levels
- Establish log and report on innovations and improvements achieved
- Keeping abreast of innovations, best practice and industry competitor standards and support, guide and co-ordinate team activities including e.g.
- Input minimum safety, legal and technical requirements to Product Briefs (via Generic Specifications, when available) so that products can be developed to these minimums whilst allowing innovation
- To conduct user trials and panel testing for bulk fragrance oil development in a controlled/non-controlled environment
- To improve and manage our quality charter processes within the fragrance department
- Benchmark existing product offering against competitors and share feedback with buying and technical team
- To ensure products are signed off within CP timelines and liaise with the technical team on when regulatory documentation can be requested
- Regularly monitor customer feedback and returns and implement product improvements where necessary
- Support the team on sufficient packaging options to ensure goods are of excellent standard at point of sale and during transport
- Attend weekly calls with suppliers to discuss new product development
- Attend factory visits to discuss development and ensure production standards can be met
- Industry research in relation to beauty trends and fragrance technologies
Process
- Regularly review the Product Approval Process, Critical Path Milestones and other QA requirements with Technical Manager
- Ensure Risk Assessments are conducted on all products within own ranges: ensuring that documentary and other evidence exists to provide robust due diligence
- Monitor performance of own products against agreed quality KPIs and effect corrective actions and improvements
- Ensure Technical Files & Specifications are produced and effectively maintained.
- Develop procedures for consistent, comprehensive and robust Technical Files.
- Review Generic Specifications and other associated documentation for hard-line products
- Maintain a QA Reference Library and control procedure for the management and storage of all QA reference documents e.g.
- Manuals & procedures
- Generic Specifications, Defect Classification Lists, Test Methods etc.
- Guidance documents and Templates
- Review all QA documentation in line with schedule (at least every 2 years) and revise as required, liaising with all relevant stakeholders
Suppliers
- Work with Line Manager, CSR Manager and Sourcing Manager to support the development and continuous improvement of new & existing suppliers/sources in line with Company and QA Strategy
- Responsible for review & approval of FAF paperwork, CAP follow-up and new supplier sign-off.
- Ensure that all own suppliers achieve and practice satisfactory Ethical standards and behaviours and Quality Management Systems that will deliver consistently safe, legal and quality products; and support Techs with other hard-line suppliers
- Build strong relationships with suppliers, communicate specifications and provide feedback on compliance issues, returns levels and performance with recommendations for improvements to increase customer satisfaction
- Monitor and report on the performance of hard-line suppliers
Personal development plan
- In association with line manager, identify personal development or training needs and agree actions and activities accordingly
- Develop and deliver QA Dept. initiatives that build strong working relationships within and outside the dept.
Core responsibilities
- To fulfil health & safety obligations by ensuring that safe working practices are followed at all times
- To perform any other reasonable duties as required
Overseas uk travel as required.
What skills experience you’ll need
Technical expertise
- Knowledge of product technologies relevant to the product sector of responsibility. Ability to conduct detailed risk assessments
- Understanding of legislation relevant to product sector
Qualification
- Degree in Scientific or Technical discipline or completed experience or training relevant to product area
Experience
- Experience in a technical function within manufacturing or as a retail technologist covering relevant product sector
- Process analysis, development and implementation
Competencies
- Innovation, Superior Decision Making, Team Building, Customer Focus
What we’ll offer you
At The White Company, we value our employees for always going the extra mile for every one of our customers; we reward this with great benefits and competitive salaries.
- Discount -Up to 50% discount and access to regular Sample Sales
- Holiday - 25 days rising to 28 with length of service
- Holiday Buy – opportunity to buy up to 5 days holiday
- Pension Scheme - enrolled in our Group Personal Pension schemes upon joining the business.
- Bonus - In addition to our competitive salaries, all our employees are entitled to join a discretionary bonus scheme (based on policy eligibility)
- Perkplace Benefits Platform – offering a variety of discounts across well-being and lifestyle
- Wagestream Money Management app - access to Wagestream gives you power over your pay and supports financial wellbeing
- Continued Development – We offer structured support from our own in-house Learning and Development Hub
- Salary Sacrifice scheme for Electric vehicles (dependent on grade and meeting policy eligibility)
- Continued Development - Inclusion on our Leadership Development Programme (eligibility for contracts of 6 months plus Grade D & E roles only)
- Continued Development – We offer structured support from our own in-house Learning and Development Hub
- Private Healthcare with additional Babylon Digital Healthcare (based on contract duration)
- Life Assurance
Additional benefits
- Fruit basket daily
- Tea and coffee provided
- Working from Home - option to work from home on Mondays and Fridays
- Social - Christmas party/social events throughout the year
- Seasonal Sample Sales
- Volunteer Day - with a charity of your choice
- Great Location - Close to transport links - over ground Shepherds Bush station /underground White City & Wood Lane stations. Westfield shopping centre with shops restaurants/bars/cinema and gyms
