Quality Assurance, Product Safety & Compliance Manager (Hybrid)
Posted Today by Craft Buddy Ltd
£43,000 Per year
Undetermined
Hybrid
Chesham, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The Quality Assurance, Product Safety & Compliance Manager will lead Craft Buddy’s product safety, quality, testing, and compliance processes globally. This role encompasses the full QA lifecycle and involves implementing a new Quality Management System while ensuring effective communication of complex technical information. The position requires collaboration with various teams and external stakeholders to maintain high standards of product quality and compliance. The manager will also oversee a China-based QA Executive and manage vendor relationships to ensure adherence to quality standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work with QA Consultant and internal teams to design, rollout, and maintain Craft Buddy’s Quality and Safety Management System.
- Translate complex standards and regulatory requirements into practical workflows.
- Support training and adoption of QMS processes across teams.
- Oversee seasonal Product Risk Assessments.
- Review BOMs, specifications, samples, and inspection reports from China.
- Manage lab testing activities and maintain structured documentation.
- Prepare special test packages for overseas key customers.
- Produce required reports and issue Certificates of Conformity.
- Conduct vendor evaluations and manage vendor quality responsibilities.
- Handle communication with customers and licensors on QA matters.
- Manage licensor compliance queries and prepare compliance documentation.
- Monitor and file ethical audit reports and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Engage with Product Development on various checks and assessments.
- Supervise and support the China-based QA executive.
- Work closely with suppliers and internal teams to ensure corrective actions are delivered.
Key Skills:
- Strong QA or compliance experience within consumer products.
- Experience working with Far East suppliers and QC/QA processes.
- Ability to synthesise complex technical information and report it concisely.
- Highly organised with excellent documentation and follow-through.
- Strong communication skills and confidence managing external partners.
- Nice-to-Have: Toy or craft industry QA experience, knowledge of relevant standards, licensor portal experience, vendor audit experience, Mandarin language skills.
Salary (Rate): £43,000 yearly
City: Chesham
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: Other
Job Specification: Quality Assurance, Product Safety & Compliance Manager (Hybrid)
Location: Chesham (3 days office / 2 days WFH per week, after probation)
Reports to: Head of Product Development
Manages: 1 China-based QA Executive
Travel: 1–2 China trips per year
Role Purpose
To lead Craft Buddy’s product safety, quality, testing and compliance processes across all worldwide markets. This vital role owns the full QA lifecycle, from pre-production to shipment release, and plays a key part in implementing Craft Buddy’s new Quality Management System. Strong communication skills are essential - the person must be able to synthesise and simplify complex technical information into clear, actionable requirements for suppliers, internal teams and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Quality and Safety Management System
- Work with our QA Consultant and internal teams to help lead the design, rollout, and ongoing maintenance of Craft Buddy’s new Quality and Safety Management System.
- Translate complex standards, reports, and regulatory requirements into simple, practical workflows for product, operations, and suppliers.
- Support training and adoption of QMS processes across teams.
- Quality and Safety Assurance
- Oversee seasonal Product Risk Assessments (Spring Summer /Autumn Winter).
- Review BOMs, specifications, samples, and inspection reports from China.
- Manage all lab testing activities: identify samples, submit to Intertek, track progress, discuss results, and maintain structured documentation.
- Maintain organised records of all test reports, SKU references, and QA files.
- Prepare special test packages for selected overseas key customers
- Produce required reports (plastic tax, packaging material, microplastics, etc).
- Issue Certificates of Conformity for FOB customers on request.
- Conduct vendor evaluations and manage vendor quality responsibilities.
- Track corrective actions, and ensure supplier follow-up
- Handle communication with customers and licensors on QA Matters
- Compliance
- Manage licensor compliance queries.
- Prepare customer questionnaires, audit forms, declarations, and compliance documentation.
- Monitor and file BSCI/SMETA/ethical audit reports.
- Ensure regulatory compliance across UK/EU/US (including standards such as EN71, REACH, CPSIA, ASTM, etc. – prior experience beneficial but not essential).
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Engage early with Product Development on artwork checks, packaging approvals, sample reviews, and design-stage risk assessments.
- Manage the working relationship with Intertek and other external labs.
- Supervise and support the China-based QA executive.
- Work closely with suppliers and internal teams to ensure corrective actions are delivered; and communicate with external stakeholders (Eg customers) on QA matters
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Strong QA or compliance experience within consumer products.
- Experience working with Far East suppliers and QC/QA processes.
- Ability to synthesise complex technical information, and report it concisely and present it clearly.
- Highly organised with excellent documentation and follow-through.
- Strong communication skills and confidence managing external partners.
Nice-to-Have
- Toy or craft industry QA experience.
- Knowledge of EN71, REACH, ASTM, CPSIA, BSCI/SMETA.
- Licensor portal experience
- Vendor audit experience
- Mandarin language skills.
Salary Range £38,000 – £43,000, depending on experience.
Start date: ASAP