Global Quality Leader: Kidswear & Homeware Tech

Matalan; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% staff discount

Thrive Recognition Scheme

Wellbeing support provided by Retailer

Life Assurance

Retail Rewards platform discounts

Pension Scheme

Career development opportunities

Additional role-based benefits

Job summary

Matalan is seeking a Technical Manager to lead the quality function across the full product lifecycle. You will align with Buying, Design and key stakeholders to drive a consistent end-to-end quality process, while advancing global quality, compliance and fit strategies.

You will guide a team, manage critical paths, and embed quality at the centre of decision-making. You will champion a right-first-time culture, oversee technical files, testing standards, and training materials, and travel to

Qualifications

• Senior Leader experience in retail product or fabric tech
• Extensive knowledge of product categories or specialist areas
• Strong attention to detail with compliance and product safety standards
• Pattern-cutting and garment construction knowledge
• Hands-on experience with factory production processes and methods
• Proven ability to build supplier relationships across a global base
• Commitment to developing and upskilling team members
• Proactive, solutions-focused mindset for quality issues
• Strong analytical ability for test reports and benchmarking
• Deep knowledge of quality control processes and inspection standards

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver Matalan quality strategy for the category or area
• Lead critical path management within the quality team to meet deadlines and SLAs
• Build partnerships with Buying, Design and stakeholders to embed quality in decisions
• Engage with the supply base to ensure a clear Matalan quality message
• Champion a right first time culture across the quality function
• Ensure fit accuracy and efficiency across products, lead fit/seal decisions
• Oversee development of high-quality technical files to support product development
• Lead the creation and improvement of testing standards, manuals and training materials
• Monitor returns and inspection data to identify risks and drive improvements
• Provide timely communication and reporting to stakeholders for informed decisions
• Identify and trial new technologies to enhance quality function efficiency
• Maintain block or fabric libraries with accuracy and consistency
• Conduct regular store visits to evaluate sealed production quality
• Travel internationally to engage with suppliers as required
• Develop and implement product engineering and sustainability design principles
• Stay updated on legislation and regulatory requirements for compliance
• Oversee best practice guidelines and minimum make manuals

Skills

Senior Leadership

Product knowledge

Compliance awareness

Pattern-cutting

Factory production

Supplier relationships

Team development

Problem solving

Quality analytics

Quality control standards

Job description

Matalan is seeking a Technical Manager to lead the quality function across the full product lifecycle. You will align with Buying, Design and key stakeholders to drive a consistent end-to-end quality process, while advancing global quality, compliance and fit strategies.

You will guide a team, manage critical paths, and embed quality at the centre of decision-making. You will champion a right-first-time culture, oversee technical files, testing standards, and training materials, and travel to