Job Description

Location: Aylesford, Kent/Hybrid

Salary/package: £55,000 per annum

Contract type: Permanent/Fixed Term

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Help shape safe, inspiring products for children and educators

Are you passionate about product safety, quality and compliance? Do you have expert knowledge of toy regulations, children's products and international product standards?

We're looking for an experienced Product Compliance & Quality Assurance Manager to play a critical role in protecting our customers, safeguarding our brand and ensuring every product we bring to market meets the highest standards of safety, quality and regulatory compliance.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong experience in toys, educational products, children's resources or consumer goods who wants to have real influence across product development, supplier management and business decision-making.

Who we are

Global Education Supplies (GES) is part of the Children & Education portfolio at Commercial Services Group (CSG), comprising seven complementary brands that serve the global education sector. These include KCS Education, Landscapes for Learning, Maudesport, Gresswell, Timstar and Technology Supplies. With a customer base spanning more than 90 countries, GES is entering a transformational phase focused on international growth, new product development, marketing investment and operational excellence.

Why this role matters

Our products are used by children in educational settings across the UK and beyond. That means product safety and quality are non-negotiable.

As our Product Compliance & Quality Assurance Manager, you'll lead compliance across a diverse product portfolio, including:

• Toys and play resources

• Educational products

• Classroom equipment

• Furniture

• Arts & craft consumables

• Electronic products and accessories

What you’ll be doing

Leading Product Compliance

You'll take ownership of compliance across all product categories, ensuring products meet relevant UK and international legislation and standards, including:

• UKCA and CE Marking requirements

• Toy Safety Standards (EN71)

• Children's product regulations

• REACH and chemical safety legislation

• RoHS, EMC and electrical safety requirements

• Packaging and environmental compliance obligations

You'll maintain technical files, Declarations of Conformity and compliance records while managing relationships with testing laboratories and certification bodies.

Being the Compliance Expert

You'll stay ahead of regulatory developments and advise the business on emerging legislation, helping teams understand:

• Regulatory changes

• Compliance risks

• Commercial implications

• Required actions

Your expertise will help shape product sourcing and development decisions from the earliest stages.

Driving Quality Assurance

You'll develop and oversee a robust quality assurance framework, including:

• Product sample reviews and approvals

• Gold seal and pre-production sign-off

• Supplier quality assessments

• Production and goods inspections

• Product returns analysis

• Continuous quality improvement initiatives

You'll ensure products consistently meet both customer expectations and legal requirements.

Working with Global Suppliers

You'll partner with UK and international suppliers, supporting:

• Supplier onboarding

• Compliance audits

• Documentation reviews

• Corrective action plans

• Ongoing quality management

You'll play a key role in building a culture of accountability and excellence throughout the supply chain.

Managing Product Safety Incidents

You'll lead the development of product recall and incident management processes, ensuring the business can respond quickly and effectively when required.

What you’ll get in return

• Salary of £55,000 per annum

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with length of service

• Birthday Day Off

• One Concessionary Day off during the Christmas Period

• Life assurance cover (4x salary)

• Pension scheme with 6% employer contribution

• Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts, health cash plan and cycle to work scheme

• Volunteer days and access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme

• Tailored development support with real opportunities to progress

• Access to Learning & Development opportunities via our CSG Academy

• Hybrid working

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience within product compliance, quality assurance or product safety

• Strong background in toys, children's products, educational resources or consumer goods

• Excellent understanding of EN71 Toy Safety Standards

• Strong knowledge of UK and EU product compliance legislation

• Experience managing product testing, certification and technical documentation

• Ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into practical business actions

• Excellent attention to detail and risk management capability

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills

Why CSG?

CSG is the UK’s largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £700 million in revenue per annum and supporting more than 16,000 education and public sector customers globally.

We are growing through a combination of organic development, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Our 35+ businesses deliver services across education, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement and more, all focused on delivering meaningful impact.

As a locally owned organisation, we take pride in reinvesting a significant proportion of our profits into frontline services, helping strengthen the communities we serve.

Inclusion & Accessibility

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds.

As a member of Inclusive Employers with Silver Accreditation, we are actively building an environment that supports inclusion, flexibility and belonging for all colleagues.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any.