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Head of Product Quality - Job Opportunity at Kmart

Mulgrave, Australia
Full-time
Executive
Posted: June 14, 2025
Hybrid
AUD 180,000 - 220,000 per year based on executive-level responsibility, 10+ years experience requirement, team leadership scope, and Australian retail market standards for heads of quality in major retail organizations

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working arrangements that support work-life balance and modern workforce expectations
Comprehensive employee discount program across multiple major retail brands including Kmart, Target, Officeworks and Bunnings
Access to exclusive benefits program with over 60 suppliers covering entertainment, travel, lifestyle and health sectors
Performance-based bonus program that rewards commitment and achievement
Inclusive parental leave policy with ongoing support through Circle In partnership for diverse family circumstances
Dynamic learning and development programs for continuous professional growth
Fast-track career advancement through structured mentor program as both mentee and mentor
Peer-recognition Kudos program with reward incentives
Extensive career opportunities across the broader Wesfarmers Group portfolio

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute comprehensive quality strategy that directly impacts customer satisfaction for nearly two million weekly customers across iconic retail brands
Lead strategic transformation from reactive to preventive quality operations, fundamentally reshaping how product quality is managed across the organization
Drive cross-functional leadership of PT teams to achieve product quality excellence while ensuring strict compliance with regulatory standards
Optimize operational processes to enhance product quality improvement effectiveness, directly impacting bottom-line performance
Establish long-term quality goals and short-term measurable targets that align with group mission and drive competitive advantage
Monitor and analyze product quality metrics to identify trends and implement continuous improvements that enhance customer satisfaction
Provide strategic guidance on new product ranges to merchandise teams before buying seasons, preventing quality issues before they occur

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in quality management, Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of experience in quality management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role

Required Skills

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 Technical Expertise: Possesses comprehensive knowledge of General Merchandise product quality standards and quality assurance processes Stakeholder Management: Skilled in handling relationships with Customer Care, Compliance, Legal, Merchandise, Sourcing, suppliers Change Management: Experience in implementing change initiatives and transforming quality practices Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving abilities to address systemic quality issues Proficiency in quality management systems (QMS), data analysis tools, and ERP systems

Certifications

Six Sigma ISO 9001 similar quality management certifications
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The retail industry is experiencing a fundamental shift towards predictive quality management, moving away from reactive complaint handling to proactive quality assurance that prevents issues before products reach consumers. This transformation is driven by increasing customer expectations, social media amplification of quality issues, and the need to protect brand reputation in highly competitive markets. Supply chain quality management has become increasingly complex due to global sourcing challenges, regulatory changes, and sustainability requirements. Companies are investing heavily in quality infrastructure to manage risks associated with diverse supplier networks and ensure consistent product standards across multiple categories. Digital transformation in quality management is accelerating, with companies implementing advanced analytics, IoT sensors, and AI-powered quality prediction systems. This technological evolution enables real-time quality monitoring and data-driven decision making that was previously impossible in traditional retail environments.

Role Significance

Typically manages 15-25 quality professionals across multiple product categories, including quality analysts, compliance specialists, and vendor quality coordinators, with indirect influence over broader cross-functional teams in merchandise, sourcing, and supplier management.
Executive-level position with direct strategic impact on organizational quality standards, customer satisfaction metrics, and brand reputation. This role sits at the intersection of operations, strategy, and customer experience, requiring both technical expertise and senior leadership capabilities to drive organization-wide quality transformation.

Key Projects

Implementation of predictive quality management systems that shift operations from reactive to preventive models Development of comprehensive supplier quality certification programs and audit frameworks Integration of quality metrics into buying and sourcing decisions to prevent quality issues at the source Design and rollout of quality training programs for merchandise and sourcing teams Creation of quality dashboards and reporting systems for executive decision-making

Success Factors

Ability to translate complex quality data into strategic business insights that drive decision-making at the executive level, ensuring quality considerations are integrated into all aspects of product development and sourcing Strong change management capabilities to transform entrenched reactive quality processes into proactive, prevention-focused systems while maintaining team morale and stakeholder buy-in throughout the transformation Deep understanding of general merchandise quality standards across diverse product categories, from textiles and electronics to home goods and seasonal items, with ability to adapt quality frameworks to different product types and regulatory requirements Exceptional stakeholder management skills to influence and align multiple internal departments and external suppliers on new quality processes, particularly in matrix organizational structures where direct authority may be limited

Market Demand

High demand due to increased regulatory requirements, consumer quality expectations, and the critical nature of quality management in protecting brand reputation and customer satisfaction in competitive retail markets

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Strategic quality planning capabilities are essential as this role requires developing and executing comprehensive quality strategies that align with business objectives while managing the complexity of diverse general merchandise categories and supplier relationships Advanced analytical and data interpretation skills are crucial for monitoring quality metrics, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions that prevent quality issues before they impact customers or brand reputation Change management expertise is vital for successfully transforming established reactive quality processes into preventive systems while maintaining stakeholder buy-in and team effectiveness throughout the organizational transformation

Beneficial Skills

Six Sigma or Lean methodology certification would enhance ability to implement systematic quality improvements and demonstrate credible expertise to cross-functional teams and suppliers Experience with retail-specific ERP systems and quality management software would accelerate integration into existing systems and enable faster implementation of quality improvements Understanding of Australian consumer protection laws and retail compliance requirements would support navigation of regulatory landscape and ensure quality programs meet legal standards

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to impact quality standards for iconic Australian retail brands that touch the lives of nearly two million customers weekly, providing immediate visibility of quality improvement efforts
Access to Wesfarmers Group career opportunities spanning retail, industrial, and chemical sectors, offering unusual breadth of potential career paths beyond traditional retail quality roles
Role specifically focuses on transforming reactive quality operations to preventive models, representing a significant change management challenge with clear business impact and professional development value
Position combines traditional retail quality management with modern data analytics and predictive quality systems, bridging traditional and digital quality management approaches

Career Growth

3-5 years to progress to broader operational roles or chief-level quality positions, depending on organizational growth and individual performance in driving measurable quality improvements

Potential Next Roles

Chief Quality Officer or VP Quality for larger retail organizations or retail groups VP Operations or COO roles where quality management expertise translates to broader operational leadership Independent quality consulting for retail organizations or quality management roles in other consumer goods industries

Company Overview

Kmart

Kmart operates as part of the Wesfarmers Group, one of Australia's largest conglomerates, providing significant organizational stability and career development opportunities across multiple business units. The company serves nearly two million customers weekly across Australia and has established itself as a major player in the discount retail sector with strong brand recognition and market presence.

As part of Wesfarmers, Kmart benefits from substantial financial backing and operational expertise, positioning it as a major competitor in the Australian retail landscape alongside Target and other discount retailers. The company's scale provides significant leverage with suppliers and the ability to implement sophisticated quality management systems.
This Melbourne-based role positions the successful candidate at the heart of Australian retail operations, with responsibility for quality standards that impact customers across the country. The Mulgrave location provides access to Melbourne's strong retail and logistics ecosystem while maintaining connection to broader Wesfarmers operations.
Large corporate environment with established processes and significant resources for professional development, offering both the stability of a major retailer and the innovation opportunities that come with serving millions of customers weekly. The hybrid work policy indicates progressive workplace practices that support work-life balance.
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