Director, Quality Assurance

INTRODUCTION

At Burberry, we believe creativity opens spaces. Our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers and our communities. This is the core belief that has guided Burberry since it was founded in 1856 and is central to how we operate as a company today.

We aim to provide an environment for creative minds from different backgrounds to thrive, bringing a wide range of skills and experiences to everything we do. As a purposeful, values-driven brand, we are committed to being a force for good in the world as well, creating the next generation of sustainable luxury for customers, driving industry change and championing our communities. 

JOB PURPOSE

We are seeking an experienced and polyvalent Director of Quality Assurance to lead and manage the field quality assurance processes for our Ready To Wear business. The Director is responsible of maintaining and elevating the quality standards of our production, ensuring that every piece meets the highest levels of craftsmanship. This role requires a visionary leader who can drive continuous improvement, manage a team of quality professionals, and collaborate closely with product engineering, sourcing  and supply chain teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive field quality assurance strategy that aligns with the brand's vision, business goals and everchanging environment.
• Set and enforce quality standards for all products, ensuring consistency across all collections and sourcing locations.
• Lead the Field Quality Assurance team, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management to ensure high levels of efficiency and accountability.

Quality Control:

• Oversee all aspects of our vendors' manufacturing quality control processes, from raw material inspection to final product evaluation.
• Establish and maintain detailed quality control procedures, including product testing, inspection criteria, and corrective action plans.

Process Improvement:

• Continuously improve quality assurance processes from Pre-Production meetings to final inspections to ensure product quality, reduce defects, and optimize production efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sourcing and PE to identify and suggest areas for improvement, risks, and opportunities associated with allocations.
• Utilize data-driven decision-making to monitor quality trends and drive process enhancements.
• Elevate the Vendor’s QA processes to achieve accreditation status and continuously monitor their progress and performances.

Vendor and 3rd party Management:

• Evaluate and qualify vendors and their manufacturers based on their ability to meet the brand’s quality standards.
• Organize regular audits to ensure adherence to quality requirements and suitability to produce products allocated.
• Foster strong relationships with Vendors to support and ensure consistent quality and timely delivery.
• Coordinate and manage third-party inspectors to ensure capacity and service levels meet the quality and capacity required.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Advise and support the PE team to problem-solve technical issues, industrialize products, resolve production issues, and manage customers' feedback.
• Risk manage potential quality issues to prevent negative impact on the brand.
• Lead the resolution of quality-related issues, including product withdrawal and recalls or customer complaints, focusing on root cause analysis and preventive measures.
• Collaborate with the Regulatory and Compliance team to risk assess and recommend solutions to compliance issues.

Innovation and Trends:

• Stay informed about emerging industry trends, incorporating best practices and innovative technologies into the brand’s operations.
• Advocate for and educate stakeholders to enhance the sustainability of our products without compromising quality.

RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

Analytics and Data Management:

• Lead and manage an analytics team dedicated to supporting quality assurance, product engineering, and sustainable manufacturing processes through data analysis.
• Develop and implement data-driven methodologies to track and monitor key quality metrics, such as defect rates, customer returns, and vendor performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create dashboards, reports, and predictive models that provide actionable insights for quality improvement.
• Ensure the integration of data analytics into quality assurance processes, driving informed decision-making and strategic planning.
• Oversee the implementation of quality management software and tools to enhance data collection, analysis, and reporting capabilities.

Customer Focus:

• Champion a customer-centric approach to quality, ensuring that the end product consistently meets or exceeds customer expectations.
• Collaborate with operation teams to develop and review customer quality surveys to gather actionable insights to increase CSAT and use this data to refine quality standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in quality assurance within the luxury apparel or fashion industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems, standards, and best practices in the luxury apparel sector.
• Excellent understanding of the specific market/jurisdictions and the regulatory requirements; strong understanding of future legislation impacting products with specific reference to the Green Deal and the ESPR.
• Proven track record of successfully managing quality assurance teams and driving continuous improvement.
• Expertise in fabric and garment construction, as well as a deep understanding of materials and their production processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to oversee production facilities and manufacturers.

FOOTER

Burberry is an Equal Opportunities Employer and as such, treats all applications equally and recruits purely on the basis of skills and experience.

Our Purpose and Values

At Burberry we believe that how we live our values and contribute to our culture is equally as important to what we achieve. Our four values (Creatively Driven, Open and Caring, Proud of our Heritage & Forward Thinking) encapsulate the culture we foster and describe who we are at our best.

Is it our expectation that all colleagues, regardless of function, geography or level, embrace and role model our values.  Burberry leader pride themselves in -

• Inspiring passion and role modelling creative thinking
• Investing time and taking accountability to attract, develop and retain talent 
• Fostering an inclusive culture where all colleagues can thrive
• Creating space for innovation, challenging status quo, making bold choices for the future
• Acting in the best interest of our brand, the environment and our communities

To learn more about our purpose, values and how we lead please visit: https://www.burberryplc.com/company/our-purpose-and-values

Posting Notes: Italy || Not Applicable || Milan || SC CENTRAL OPERATIONS || QUALITY ASSURANCE & OPERATIONS || n/a ||