Quality Assurance Manager

dSb Recruitment Consultancy Ltd.; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

We are recruiting for an experienced QA Manager or ambitious Senior QA Technologist for the children\'s toys and products sector in Manchester. This hands-on role owns product quality, safety and regulatory compliance from concept to shipment.

Collaborating with commercial and product development teams, overseas manufacturing partners and retailers, you will ensure conformance to safety standards across UK and international markets, with testing, risk assessments and certification at the core.

Qualifications

• Experience in QA/QC or product compliance within toys, gifts or kids' products.
• Knowledge of toy safety legislation (EN71), REACH and UK/EU safety requirements.
• Experience managing product testing, technical documentation, risk assessments and certification.
• Experience working with overseas manufacturers, ideally across the Far East.
• Understanding of product inspections, quality standards and corrective action processes.
• Experience reviewing product packaging, artwork and safety labelling.

Responsibilities

• Managing product safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance across UK and international markets.
• Overseeing product testing, risk assessments, technical files and certification.
• Working closely with overseas suppliers and factories to manage inspections, testing and quality standards.
• Reviewing and approving product samples, packaging, artwork and labelling.
• Supporting new product development and identifying compliance risks early.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Regulatory Compliance

Stakeholder communication

Supplier liaison

Risk assessment

Product testing

Leadership

Job description

We are recruiting for an exciting opportunity for an experienced QA Manager or ambitious Senior QA Technologist looking to take the next step in their career within the children's toys and products sector.

This is a hands-on, varied role offering the opportunity to take ownership of product quality, safety and compliance across a diverse range of products supplied to international retailers.

Working closely with internal commercial and product development teams, overseas manufacturing partners and retail customers, you'll ensure products meet the required quality and safety standards from initial concept through to final shipment.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing product safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance across UK and international markets.
• Overseeing product testing, risk assessments, technical files and certification.
• Working closely with Far East suppliers and factories to manage inspections, testing and quality standards.
• Reviewing and approving product samples, packaging, artwork and labelling.
• Supporting new product development, identifying potential compliance risks at an early stage.
• Managing customer-specific quality requirements, resolving product issues and implementing corrective actions.
• Monitoring regulatory changes and ensuring products remain compliant across different markets.
• Working collaboratively with commercial teams to balance product quality, compliance and business requirements.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATE

We are keen to speak with established QA Managers as well as experienced Senior QA Technologists who are ready to step up into a role offering greater responsibility and ownership.

Experience within children's toys, gifts or kids' products is essential.

Ideally, you will bring:

• A strong background in Quality Assurance, Quality Control or Product Compliance within children's toys, gifts or kids' products.
• Good working knowledge of toy safety legislation, including EN71, REACH and UK/EU product safety requirements.
• Experience managing product testing, technical documentation, risk assessments and certification.
• Experience working with overseas manufacturers, ideally across the Far East.
• An understanding of product inspections, quality standards and corrective action processes.
• Experience reviewing product packaging, artwork and safety labelling.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the confidence to communicate with suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders.
• A proactive, commercially minded approach with the ability to find practical solutions.

Previous management experience would be advantageous but is not essential. We're equally interested in candidates with strong technical expertise who are ready to take that next step in their career.

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Our client is an established and growing business specialising in the design, sourcing and supply of children's toys and products to major retailers across international markets.

With a strong focus on product innovation, quality and customer relationships, the business works closely with overseas manufacturing partners to bring exciting new products to market.

Operating within a fast-paced, collaborative environment, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a close-knit team where you'll have genuine ownership of the QA function, influence key decisions and play an important role in the continued development of the business.