Product Quality Manager (Workwear)

Kingfisher•Lower Southampton Township, PA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Product Quality Manager for the Workwear category provides senior technical expertise across garment product development. The role is accountable for the technical development, approval and ongoing quality performance of Own Exclusive Brand garment products, ensuring they are safe, legal, fit for purpose, consistently sized and constructed, and deliver the required quality, performance, durability and value for customers. The role operates as a senior garment technical expert, supporting implementation of the group quality strategy, managing stakeholder relationships, influencing decisions, and coaching colleagues. It leads product development and fit standards, including specifications, fit reviews, sample evaluation, materials assessment, approvals and product labelling. It also oversees post-sale product performance, leading reviews and root-cause analysis, driving corrective action, supporting safety and regulatory investigations, and applying lessons learned to future specifications and sourcing decisions. The position is based in Southampton and follows a hybrid working model. Around 60% of time involves in-person collaboration. Kingfisher describes its workplace as inclusive and offers a competitive benefits package and career-development opportunities.

Requirements

Significant experience in garment technology, Workwear product development, technical quality or a related role within retail, brand, manufacturing or supply chain environments.
Strong knowledge of garment construction, pattern cutting, grading, fit, sizing and manufacturing methods across relevant product types.
Experience creating and reviewing technical packs, measurement specifications, construction standards, risk assessments and product approval documentation.
Good knowledge of fabrics, fibres, trims, components, finishing processes, care requirements and common garment failure modes.
Practical understanding of garment performance testing, product safety, labelling and applicable UK and EU compliance requirements.
Good understanding of supplier quality management, production controls and bulk manufacturing processes.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root-cause analysis and implementation of effective corrective actions.
Ability to manage priorities and make sound technical decisions while working to a product development critical path.

Responsibilities

Operate as a senior garment technical expert, giving practical guidance to product, design, sourcing and supplier teams.
Support implementation of the group quality strategy through daily application of requirements.
Manage key stakeholder relationships and influence decisions to achieve customer, quality and commercial outcomes.
Coach and support colleagues, sharing technical knowledge and consistent ways of working.
Create, review and maintain technical specifications, measurement charts, construction details, bills of materials, risk assessments and product standards.
Lead fit reviews and sample evaluations, resolving issues related to pattern, grading, sizing, construction, workmanship, comfort and appearance.
Ensure product development, approval and sealing requirements are briefed, understood and completed in line with the critical path.
Assess materials, trims and components for suitability, compatibility, performance, durability, care requirements and production viability.
Work with global buying offices and, where required, suppliers to resolve technical issues and ensure fit and quality standards can be reproduced in bulk production.
Develop and approve product labelling, care information, packaging warnings and customer instructions where appropriate.
Monitor returns and post-sale performance with the Performance Feedback Analyst.
Lead post-launch reviews and identify recurring quality or failure trends.
Drive root-cause analysis and corrective action with suppliers and internal teams.
Support safety, regulatory, withdrawal and recall investigations when required.
Embed lessons learned into future specifications and sourcing decisions.