Product Compliance & Quality Assurance Manager - Toys & Education
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.