Founded over 20 years ago by three entrepreneurial women with a passion for beautiful, practical, and comfortable homes, OKA is more than a furniture and homeware retailer: it is a love affair with living well. We inspire people to confidently create a home that reflects their personality, a space where nothing should be too precious or perfect to be enjoyed with family and friends. British-born, today we have 12 stores across the UK and an established Interior Design and Trade business, a mail-order service and a thriving website. The QC & Returns Operative is responsible for inspecting and ensuring the quality of furniture products and for processing returned furniture items efficiently and accurately. This includes assessing incoming goods, conducting quality checks during storage and prior to dispatch, and maintaining detailed records of inspections. The QC & Returns Operative is responsible for inspecting returned goods, updating records, coordinating with relevant teams, and ensuring the smooth handling of returns in line with company policies. The role is critical to upholding the company’s quality standards and ensuring customer satisfaction by identifying and addressing defects or inconsistencies in products. ABOUT US We know the best work is done by people who enjoy their jobs, so we create a fun and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and is able to thrive. We are looking for an agile and proactive Quality Control & Returns Operative with a positive attitude and entrepreneurial spirit, based at our 3PL warehouse in Swindon. In this role, you will be responsible for acting as the expert on the company’s products, ensuring that quality standards are consistently upheld, and working closely with 3PL warehouse colleagues to ensure all products meet company specifications and customer expectations. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES · Perform daily quality product inspections to ensure products meet quality standards. · Ensure all products inspected for customer orders meet 100% quality standards before leaving the warehouse. · Measure product dimensions, examine functionality, and compare surface finishes to gold seal samples and website references. · Act as the expert on the company’s products, ensuring quality standards are consistently upheld and all products meet company specifications and customer expectations by collaborating closely with 3PL warehouse colleagues. · Monitor and periodically review returns data to identify trends and collaborate with relevant teams to develop strategies for reducing return rates and improving product quality. · Document inspection outcomes by completing detailed reports and performance records for tracking purposes. · Collaborate with warehouse teams to separate defective items for repair, return, or disposal, ensuring timely action. · Work closely with the Product Development & Supply Chain teams to resolve quality concerns with incoming goods, providing feedback to suppliers to improve product quality where necessary. · Demonstrate a flexible attitude in completing a variety of tasks, including picking products, re-boxing, and re-labelling, while ensuring accuracy and efficiency in collaboration with the Operations team. · Effectively communicate any issues encountered to relevant parties to ensure quick resolution and minimal disruption. · Ensure compliance with all legal Health & Safety legislation and operational procedures at all times. · Suggest and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, minimize errors, and reduce the risk of defective goods. · Act as a key point of contact for escalated returns-related inquiries, ensuring prompt and effective resolution to maintain customer satisfaction. · As this role is based at our 3PL warehouse site in Swindon, work closely with external logistics teams while maintaining control over returns processing, product quality, and continuous improvement. · Operate manual handling equipment (MHE), such as pump trucks, following all safety protocols. · As the Quality Control room is located within a warehouse environment, an awareness of forklift and heavy lifting equipment is essential ABOUT YOU · Previous experience in a QC or Returns role within a fast-paced warehouse environment. · Polite and friendly manner · Excellent written and verbal communication skills · Good understanding of MS Office and computer skills · Ability to communicate to all levels of the business · An understanding of premium brands and the required level of customer service · Knowledge of health and safety regulations in a warehouse setting. · Actively seeks continuous personal improvement in the work environment · Ability to adapt in a fast-moving business, taking on new challenges and responsibilities · Flexible attitude to working within other areas or departments depending on business requirements · Good organizational skills and attention to detail · A creative, problem-solving spirit · Passion for the OKA brand OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE · 25 days holiday (plus bank holiday entitlement), plus Length of Service increases · Day off for your birthday · Health Cash Plan · Generous staff discount · Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Pay · Employee Assistance Programme · Eligibility for a discretionary company Bonus Scheme · Plus a suite of additional employee benefits including Company pension scheme, life assurance cover, free eye tests, cycle to work scheme, interest free travel loans, social events, online wellbeing centre and more If successful you will become part of the OKA family, a fast-paced and dynamic business. If you would like to apply for this position, please send your CV and details of your salary expectations, notice period and right to work information via the link provided.