Universal Store
From our humble beginnings as a suburban unisex clothing store in 1999, we’ve grown to more than 100 stores nationally and now deliver the latest in apparel to customers around the world through our thriving online store. Our team carefully curates a mix of local and international labels, working collaboratively to develop exclusive styles and collections that give our customers head to toe outfitting options for every occasion.
Today, we’re proud to be recognised as one of Australia’s leading youth fashion retailers. We’ve built and grown brands such as Neovision, Common Need, Luck & Trouble, and Worship, and we continue to partner with global favourites including Lee, Wrangler, AS Colour, Calvin Klein, Stussy and Abrand. As our business has expanded, we’ve welcomed the Perfect Stranger and Thrills Co brands into our portfolio, allowing us to offer an even broader range of fits, styles and pieces that reflect the diversity of our customer base.
No matter the style, our mission remains the same: elevate every outfit and deliver customer service that goes above and beyond.
The Opportunity
We're looking for an experienced Inventory QA Team Leader to join our Inventory & Logistics team and lead the day-to-day execution of quality assurance, returns, recalls, and inventory integrity activities across the business. Reporting to the Planning & Assurance Manager, you'll play a critical role in protecting product quality, maintaining inventory accuracy, and driving operational excellence across our retail and distribution network. As the subject matter expert for Returns & Recalls and Inventory Quality Assurance, you'll work closely with Distribution Centre Operations, Product, Buying, Retail, Customer Experience and supplier partners to investigate quality issues, manage supplier returns and credits, identify inventory discrepancies, and implement process improvements that minimise product loss and maximise inventory recovery. You'll have the opportunity to lead and develop a small team while driving initiatives that improve inventory accuracy, product quality, compliance, and operational performance.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading daily Returns & Recalls operations, ensuring quality, compliance and inventory integrity are maintained.
- Coordinating product assessments and determining appropriate outcomes including resale, redistribution, supplier returns, repair or disposal.
- Investigating product quality issues, inventory discrepancies and stock variances to identify root causes and corrective actions.
- Managing supplier return authorities (RAs), supplier credits, recalls and quality investigations.
- Leading stocktakes, cycle counts, inventory verification and reconciliation activities to support inventory accuracy.
- Monitoring compliance with Standard Operating Procedures and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
- Analysing returns and quality data to identify trends, provide recommendations and support supplier performance improvements.
- Coaching, mentoring and developing Inventory QA Officers while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
What we’re Looking For
You'll be passionate about process improvement, inventory accuracy and product quality, with a proven ability to lead teams and drive operational outcomes.
- Experience in an Inventory Team Leader, Quality Assurance Team Leader, Inventory Controller, Returns Team Leader, Warehouse Supervisor or similar role.
- Strong experience in inventory control, stock integrity, returns management, quality assurance, warehouse operations or supply chain environments.
- Proven experience leading, coaching and developing team members to achieve quality, productivity and operational targets.
- Strong knowledge of inventory management, stock reconciliation, cycle counting, inventory investigations and product quality processes.
- Experience using Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to identify trends, investigate issues and implement effective solutions.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multiple business functions.
- High attention to detail, accountability and a commitment to maintaining quality and compliance standards.
- A continuous improvement mindset with a proactive approach to driving operational efficiencies and process enhancements.
Highly regarded:
- Experience within a fashion, apparel, retail distribution or supply chain environment.
- Exposure to supplier quality management, product defect investigations and supplier performance management.
- Experience leading quality assurance, inventory optimisation or operational improvement projects.
- A genuine passion for inventory excellence, quality assurance and team leadership
What We Offer
- A vibrant, collaborative workplace culture with a supportive and growth driven leadership team
- Exclusive staff discounts across our brands, plus access to partner deals and offers through Flare
- Free on-site parking and generous facilities at our modern, purpose-built Support Office located in Eagle Farm
- Learning & Development opportunities - Grow your career with us!
- Salary sacrificing and novated leasing options
- Paid parental leave
- Wellbeing support through Sonder and regular wellness initiatives
- Regular social events and team activities
Our Values
- Care for Everyone
- Here to Help
- Make it Work
- Better Than Good
- Contribute
Ready to take the next step?
Apply now with your resume and cover letter (optional) showcasing your interest and experience!
