Compliance Manager - Footwear & Handbags

Kurt Geiger | About Us

We are an inclusive, creative footwear and accessories brand powered by kindness. We want to empower our talent to be confident and true to themselves, the London way. London is our home, our heartbeat, and we draw inspiration from the energy and spirit of the city; its diversity and creativity. For over fifty years our team of in-house shoe and accessory designers have been creating authentic, distinctive designs from our London headquarters. The rainbow is our signature. It represents the good energy and love we have for our community and the many ways we collectively express our individual style.

We Are One: For Love | For Diversity | For Change | For Equality | For Kindness  | For Freedom | For Unity Against Racism

Job Summary

The Compliance Manager is responsible for ensuring that all footwear and handbag suppliers, factories, and products comply with applicable regulatory requirements, in terms of testing and labelling for each market, customer standards, ethical sourcing policies, and company quality expectations. Working closely with the Head of Sourcing, the role drives supplier compliance, social and environmental responsibility, product safety, and continuous improvement across the sourcing network.

Responsibilities

Supplier Compliance & Audits

• Develop, implement, and maintain supplier compliance programs.
• Provide guidance on new legislation la
• Ensure all suppliers meet company standards for social, ethical, environmental, and legal compliance.
• Coordinate and manage factory audits, including social, environmental, quality, security, and technical audits.
• Track corrective action plans CAPs and ensure timely closure of audit findings.
• Evaluate and approve new suppliers based on compliance requirements.

Regulatory & Product Compliance

• Ensure footwear and handbags comply with applicable regulations in destination markets.
• Monitor changes in global regulations related to product safety, restricted substances, labeling, packaging, and environmental requirements.
• Coordinate product testing with accredited laboratories.
• Maintain documentation supporting product compliance and certifications.

Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing

• Support the implementation of sustainability initiatives across the supplier base.
• Drive compliance with responsible sourcing policies and environmental standards.
• Monitor supplier performance against ESG and sustainability goals.
• Promote continuous improvement in environmental and social practices.

 Supplier Development

• Train suppliers on compliance requirements and industry best practices.
• Work collaboratively with sourcing teams to improve supplier performance.
• Conduct supplier risk assessments and recommend improvement plans.
• Build long-term partnerships focused on responsible sourcing.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain compliance records, certifications, audit reports, and testing documentation.
• Prepare compliance dashboards and KPI reports for the Head of Sourcing.
• Monitor supplier compliance performance and identify potential risks.
• Support customer compliance requests and external audits.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Sourcing, Quality, Product Development, Logistics, and Legal teams.
• Support new product launches by ensuring compliance requirements are met.
• Assist in resolving compliance-related issues impacting production or shipment.
• Participate in customer meetings related to compliance and sustainability.

Key Performance Indicators KPIs

• Supplier audit completion rate.
• Awareness of regulatory compliance in selling markets.
• Corrective action closure within agreed timelines.
• Supplier compliance score improvement.
• Product testing pass rate.
• On-time compliance documentation.
• Supplier certification
• Sustainability and ESG compliance metrics.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, or Engineering, Textile Technology, Fashion, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certifications in compliance, social auditing, sustainability, or quality management are an advantage.

Experience

• 7–10 years of experience in compliance, quality assurance, or sourcing within the footwear, handbags, leather goods, or fashion accessories industry.
• Experience managing supplier audits and compliance programs across multiple countries.
• Strong understanding of international compliance standards and customer requirements.
• Experience working with global sourcing teams and manufacturing partners.

Technical Knowledge

• Product safety regulations and testing requirements.
• Restricted Substances Lists RSL and chemical compliance.
• Social compliance standards e\.g\., SMETA, BSCI, SA8000, WRAP.
• Environmental compliance and sustainability practices.
• Quality management systems and audit methodologies.
• Supplier risk management.
• Documentation and certification management.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Negotiation and influencing abilities.
• Attention to detail and high ethical standards.
• Project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, global sourcing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and compliance management systems.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Working Relationships

Internal

• Head of Sourcing
• Head of Asia Sourcing Team
• Asia Souring Team
• VP’s of Buying Teams
• Buying Team
• Product Development
• Quality Assurance
• Logistics

External

• Suppliers and Factory Management
• SEDEX and Inspectoria Audits
• Testing Laboratories
• Certification Bodies
• Customers and Brand Compliance Teams

Success Profile

• The successful candidate will demonstrate strong expertise in supplier compliance, product safety, ethical sourcing, and regulatory requirements while fostering collaborative relationships with suppliers and internal teams. The individual will proactively identify risks, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure that footwear and handbag products consistently meet global compliance standards, supporting responsible sourcing and business growth.

Benefits

• Competitive basic salary
• Pension and life assurance
• Enviable discounts
• Gym Discounts
• Summer Hours - 2pm Friday finish
• Half Day, Pay Day Friday (once per month)
• RetailTrust support
• And so much more!

Our Culture  

We’re an energic fast-paced brand that embraces progress and strives for innovation. Hard work is rewarded with new opportunities at every level and kindness is celebrated in everything we do. Our summer working hours accommodate a healthy work life balance. Wellbeing is important to our working culture, which is why we nurture a friendly environment for talent to thrive in, alongside a vibrant social community.

Our Stores

The first Kurt Geiger store opened on London Bond street in 1963.  Today, our brand has global appeal and is distributed in hundreds of cities around the world. We operate over 70 stand-alone stores nationwide, including our new flagship store on London Oxford street, and in over 400 stores globally. Beyond stand-alone stores and retail pop ups, our retail partners include some of the world’s most famous department stores.

We Are One: For Love | For Diversity | For Change | For Equality | For Kindness |  For Freedom | For Unity Against Racism