Koala’s mission is: Better furniture experiences, designed with the World in mind. Combining customer-centric products, a world-class technology and fulfillment platform, incredible customer service and social good; we are changing the way people buy and enjoy furniture to create happier, healthier habitats.
Why we have this role @ Koala
The quality and safety of products we sell to our customers are core to delivering a great experience at Koala within all countries that we currently operate in. This is a high paced and varied role playing an integral part in leading the Quality Team in all quality and compliance aspects; ultimately ensuring our manufacturing partners, products, and marketing claims align with our goals, commitments and values. This position will also be responsible to report key trends, insights and actions into key stakeholders within the business.
What is key to the success of this role @ Koala?
● Based on Koala values, lead and develop people in the best way, delivery business result. (leadership)
● Able to work independently or as part of a team with setting & follow up goals and priorities (organisation and prioritisation skills)
● Deeply understand on quality matters’ contribution and impact to business, customers and suppliers. (Business mindset)
● Able to engage with all types of internal stakeholders and explain complex issues or requirements in a clear and easy to understand manner (communication skills)
● Where necessarily, influence outcomes / decisions by working collaboratory with various stakeholders to ensure a win-win outcome (communication skills)
● Working to tight deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail (accuracy and detail skills)
● Able to produce and present reports, training and insights based on on various data sets (analytical and interpretation skills)
● Champion the importance of product safety and quality throughout the business (leadership skills).
What are the key deliverables for this role?
Product Compliance (New Product Development)
● Set way of working for product compliance during new product development phase.
● Ensure that all new products launched by Koala are safe and fit for purpose. This includes the regular review / updating of any specific Product Development Guidelines, ensuring the appropriate market regulatory requirements are also considered.
● Work closely with external labs and third party to secure the legal requirements for different markets, has been clear and executed well.
● Work closely with different authorities, to get latest information on any legal requirement updates, and understand how to implement updates into business.
● Set up the testing plan both on time and resources-wise yearly, and follow-up status.
Quality Control (Existing Products)
● Set quality performance KPI for overall business, different categories and suppliers.
● Undertake regular reviews of existing products in range to determine the root causes of warranties and returns. Based on these reviews, put in place corrective actions with factories to reduce manufacturing faults and defects.
● Regularly review products against any current quality and regulatory compliance requirements to ensure they continue to be safe, fit for use and compliant to regulatory requirements in all markets we operate in. This includes ongoing testing of products and materials where required.
● Collaborate with various stakeholders within the business to draw insights that are driven by warranties and returns data, customer insights (formal) and customer service feedback to provide recommendations on further improvements that could be made to products (either current or future) and champion the continual improvement of existing products within the range.
● Working closely with our factory partners, lodge regular credit claims based on the specific requirements of the Supplier and Warranty agreements. Report back to the finance team on all credit claims successfully lodged.
● Together with team, Investigate consumer complaints, quality failures and areas of further improvement, and work closely with the Quality team and other internal / external stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
● Escalate any serious injuries or illnesses caused by products to the Director, Quality & Compliance manager to ensure these are appropriately handled by the business.
Ideal background…
● Minimum 5 years Formal tertiary qualifications in QA/QC or relevant industry experience.
● Experience with furniture, home furnishings or FMCG environment is preferred, but not limited.
● People leadership experience is required.
● Demonstrable experience in method validation is required
● Demonstrable experience presenting and defending the quality control standards during regulatory inspections
● High ability to work with both internal and external stakeholders while multitasking on a number of projects within a fast-paced environment
● Excellent organisational skills, written & verbal communication skills and attention to detail
● A ever-curious mindset that isn’t afraid to challenge the norms, wanting to learn and grow within the team and business
● Did we mention that empathy is a must have? Our customers are at the heart of the business and an empathetic approach is a must at every touchpoint
Treehouse Perks and Privileges…
Koala is only great when its employees are happy — and we’re one happy bunch!
- Hybrid work - the team is back in the Alexandria Treehouse 2-3+ days a week, with Tuesday lunches, Monthly barbies, socials and a stocked kitchen of healthy, local and organic produce to look forward to.
- Take a break - Generous time off - volunteer, parental, Koala life leave and more to help keep your work-life balance, balanced.
- Pet-friendly - The Koala Treehouse is as pet-friendly as they get!
- Surprise & delight - The two-word combo at the core of everything we do. All Koalas can expect to enjoy free Koala products with ‘mates rates’ for your friends and fam.
- Support & wellbeing - Our employee experience respects and embraces all families, formed, found and evolving. You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes unlimited sessions for financial, work, relationship, family or wellbeing support.
- Accelerate your career - via our Learning Management platform Juno, as well as individual and team growth budgets and dedicated days.
- Community & connection - We believe that simply doing ‘no harm’ isn’t good enough So, how are we doing our part? BCorp Certified, WWF Partnership, volunteer days, a member of SoftLanding, 1% and so much more.
- All in all, the Koala Kommunity is a great place to hang out and belong to!
Koalities we look for…
At Koala, we do things a little differently and we don’t shy away from the fact that we expect a lot from our employees! We are ambitious. We are curious. We are selfless. We want you to challenge expectations, always look to make a difference and give us something different from the norm. We want people that bring great energy, that have a long-game focus and are always trying to find new angles and approaches to the way we work. We're a team full of entrepreneurial spirit and have a relentless focus on 'what's next' but while always reviewing 'what's been done' and learning, growing and adapting. We're confident, but NEVER arrogant and we adapt to change like Steve Smith under a short ball. Honesty and empathy drive everything we do, as well as a total focus on exceeding our customers’ expectations. So if you feel like this could be you... well what the bloody hell are you waiting for? Drop us a line, and let's see what you've got! ;)
There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate, Koala is a place where everyone has opportunity. So however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and recognize that a diverse workforce is crucial to our success as a business.
To read more, check out our careers page or the great work we do with Work180.
