Senior Quality Control Specialist

Debenhams Group; Burnley; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Debenhams Group is transforming into a leading digital department store, seeking a Quality Control Lead to guide and develop the QC team and ensure consistent product quality across fashion, beauty and home lines.

You will conduct post-shipment inspections, document defects, and drive improvements through data analysis and corrective actions, working with suppliers and internal teams to maintain high standards.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in quality control, product inspection or quality management in retail or garment environments.
• Strong knowledge of product quality standards, inspection procedures and QA processes.
• Proven experience leading or developing a QC team with coaching and guidance.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify defects and non-conformities.
• Experience liaising with cross-functional teams to address quality concerns.

Responsibilities

• Lead and guide quality control specialists, providing training, direction and support.
• Conduct post shipment inspections and audits from returns analysis and complaints.
• Record results in designated systems and generate detailed reports.
• Ensure products meet industry regulations, standards and safety guidelines.
• Analyse quality data and trends to drive corrective actions and improvements.
• Collaborate with production, design and sourcing to address quality concerns.
• Identify root causes and support implementation of corrective actions.
• Participate in training to improve inspection skills and quality practices.

Skills

Quality control

Team leadership

Quality standards

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Inspection procedures

Regulatory compliance

Supplier coordination

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

Microsoft Office

Quality management system

Job description

At Debenhams Group, we're transforming one of Britain's most iconic retail names into a leading digital department store, with ambitions that extend far beyond the UK. Our vision is to become the number one destination for fashion, beauty and home, bringing together our own brands and an ever-growing Marketplace of incredible brand partners.

And we’re just getting started…..

Role Purpose

• Lead and guide quality control specialists providing training, direction, and support to ensure consistent and accurate evaluations.
• Conduct post shipment inspections, and targeted audits generated by returns analysis and customer complaints, of materials, components, and finished products to ensure they meet established quality standards, to verify product quality
• Identify and document defects, inconsistencies, or deviations from quality standards with clear and concise descriptions.
• Record inspection results accurately and promptly in designated systems or forms, generating detailed reports for communication.
• Ensure products adhere to industry regulations, standards, and safety guidelines, staying updated on relevant requirements.
• Analyse quality data and trends to drive informed decision-making, generate detailed reports, and suggest corrective actions to management
• Liaise with cross-functional teams including production, design, and sourcing to address quality concerns and provide feedback.
• Assist in identifying root causes of quality issues and work with relevant teams to implement corrective actions.
• Participate in training programs to improve inspection skills, stay updated on quality control practices, and support professional development.

Your Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Significant experience in quality control, product inspection or quality management, ideally within a retail, garment, textile or product-based environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of product quality standards, specifications, inspection procedures and quality assurance processes.
• Proven experience leading, managing or developing a Quality Control team, providing guidance, coaching and support to build capability and performance.
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to identify, assess and investigate product defects, quality failures and areas of non-compliance.
• Confident assessing product workmanship, construction, materials, labelling, packaging and overall presentation against agreed quality standards.
• Experience developing and implementing quality procedures, inspection standards and consistent ways of working to improve product quality.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to review quality data, identify trends, investigate recurring issues and use findings to drive improvements.
• Confident making informed decisions on product quality, including identifying when products should be rejected, held or escalated for further investigation.
• Experience managing quality issues and working with suppliers, internal teams and stakeholders to agree corrective actions and prevent recurring problems.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, inspection schedules and operational demands.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships and confidently challenge where quality standards are not being met.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, continuous improvement and maintaining high standards across all areas of quality control.
• Good understanding of relevant product safety, compliance and regulatory requirements, ensuring products meet the standards expected by the business and its customers.
• Confident using Microsoft Office, reporting tools and quality management systems to maintain accurate records and communicate performance.
• A flexible and hands-on leadership approach, with the ability to balance day-to-day operational requirements with longer-term quality strategy and development.

Why join us :

At Debenhams Group we thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you’re someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers—people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact.