Head of Product Quality - General Merchandise

Brighter Futures Start Here

We are an inclusive team who power two of the most iconic and loved brands, Kmart and Target. We have more than 50,000 passionate individuals across our stores, distribution centres, and offices around the globe.

With our brands touching the lives of almost two million customers every week, you’ll feel the impact of the work you’ll do every day. As a leader in the retail market, we’re optimistic about our future and yours. We’re changing at a rapid rate, giving you challenging work that you’ll be proud of. 

Join the team

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Product and Quality to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will drive the strategic direction of our product development and quality assurance processes, ensuring that our offerings meet the highest standards of performance and customer satisfaction. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to success, we want to hear from you

What you’ll be doing

Develop and implement a quality strategy that aligns with the group's mission. This involves establishing both long-term quality goals and short-term measurable targets to improve the quality of sourced products and services. Create a strategy to shift PT operations from a reactive to a preventive model, redirecting the team's focus from customer complaint investigations and individual product improvements to providing guidance on new product ranges to the merchandise team before each buying season.

Some of the Key Responsibilities Are (But Not Limited To):

• Develop and execute a comprehensive quality strategy that aligns with the overall business objectives.
• Lead and inspire PT teams towards achieving product quality excellence and meeting regulatory standards.
• Optimize operational processes to enhance the effectiveness of product quality improvement.
• Ensure product quality assurance efforts are consistently aligned with enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Monitor product quality metrics, identify trends, and drive continuous improvements in quality processes.

 To be successful in this Role you'll have:

• Strategic Planning: The ability to create, articulate, and execute a comprehensive quality strategy, ensuring alignment with the overall business objectives.
• Leadership Skills: Strong leadership capabilities to inspire, motivate, and guide PT teams towards achieving product quality excellence and meeting regulatory standards.
• Operational Excellence: Expertise in optimizing operational processes to enhance the effectiveness in product quality improvement.
• Customer Focus: A comprehensive understanding of customer expectations to ensure that product quality assurance efforts are consistently aligned with enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Analytical Expertise: Advanced skills in data analysis and interpretation to monitor product quality metrics, identify trends, and drive continuous improvements in quality processes.

Critical Attributes

• Technical Expertise: Possesses comprehensive knowledge of General Merchandise product quality standards and quality assurance processes. Demonstrates proficiency in analysing product defects within various GM product categories.
• Stakeholder Management: Skilled in handling relationships with Customer Care, Compliance, Legal, Merchandise, Sourcing, suppliers. Ability to influence and align stakeholders on new interaction processes and RACI.
• Change Management: Experience in implementing change initiatives and transforming quality practices.
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving abilities to address systemic quality issues.
• Compliance: Strict adherence to legislation and regulatory requirements of product quality and safety.

Qualifications and Experience Required

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in quality management, Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred .
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in quality management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role .
• Industry Knowledge: Extensive experience in General Merchandise product quality standards and quality assurance processes .
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in quality management systems (QMS), data analysis tools, and ERP systems .
• Certifications: Relevant certifications such as Six Sigma, ISO 9001, or similar quality management certifications.

Benefits we’ll offer you:

• Flexible hybrid working options through our Flex Where, Flex When, Flex Well policy.  
• A team member discount card that gives you a discount at Kmart, Target Officeworks and Bunnings 
• Access to the Kmart for You benefits program which entitles you to exclusive discounts and benefits in the areas of entertainment, travel, lifestyle, and health – with over 60 suppliers!  
• We want you to feel rewarded for your commitment and hard work that's why eligible team members get the opportunity to participate in a bonus program 
• We offer inclusive parental leave, and ongoing support offered though our partnership with Circle In for team members of all backgrounds and family circumstances  
• A dynamic learning and support program 
• Opportunity to fast track your career through our Mentor Program as a Mentee or Mentor 
• A Kudos recognition program, where you are nominated by your peers to spin a wheel, to win a stack of cool prizes 
• Great career opportunities across the broader Wesfarmers Group 

We celebrate the rich diversity of the communities in which we operate. We are committed to creating inclusive and safe environments where all our team members can contribute and succeed. We believe that all team members should feel valued, respected and safe, and strive to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and welcoming, with applications encouraged from all candidates.

We encourage you to tell us about any workplace adjustments that you would like, by emailing kmartgroupcareers@kmart.com.au

If you would like to explore a career with Kmart and this sounds like the perfect role for you – apply now!

#LI-Hybrid