Quality & Compliance Specialist
Koala is a global furniture brand bringing Australian design and innovation to the world. We create forward-thinking products that solve problems for people and homes everywhere, driven by our purpose to make the world a more comfortable place.
We’ve always believed in doing things differently, whether in the way we develop products, how we do people and culture, or the way we bring the brand to life. That mindset has fuelled our growth, helping us disrupt categories in ways that are creative, bold and often unexpected. While we’re a household name in Australia, our journey on the global stage is only just beginning.
Since launching in 2015, our furniture has reached homes across Australia, Japan, the US and the UK. As a B Corp-certified, customer-obsessed, and data-led company, we’re committed to revolutionising furniture for generations to come through design, innovation, and meaningful sustainability.
Role Description
Koala is on a mission to create "Better furniture experiences, designed with the World in mind." To achieve this, we must ensure our products are safe, durable, and ethically produced.
This specialist role is key to help secure product quality and regulatory compliance for our sleep accessories, homewares, and hard furniture categories. You will become the technical expert responsible for verifying that every product meets our high standards and that our product claims are bulletproof.
Key Responsibilities
Category Ownership - Working closely with the Director, Product Quality & Compliance and the Quality Team, lead the quality and compliance remit for assigned categories.
Testing & Evaluation - Plan and coordinate rigorous 3rd party and in-house testing (e.g., comfort deflection, durability, chemical limits) throughout the product lifecycle.
Substantiation - Build and maintain robust evidence files for all product claims to ensure ongoing substantiation can be achieved.
Timber Due Diligence - Working with others in the Quality team, ensure compliance with the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act, for all timber and wood-based products.
Regulatory Monitoring - Stay ahead of changing local and global regulations and educate internal teams and suppliers on updates.
Supplier Education - Act as a consultant to our manufacturing partners, helping them understand and meet Koala’s technical and ethical standards.
Continuous Improvement - Review customer returns and warranty data to identify root causes and implement corrective actions with suppliers.
Credit Claims - Efficiently manage and lodge supplier claims for manufacturing faults, providing regular reporting to the finance team.
Ideal background
Experience - 3-5 years in a Quality Assurance or Compliance role, ideally within hard furniture, soft furnishings, or textiles.
Technical Knowledge - Understanding of global furniture standards (E.g., EN / ISO / AU/NZ) including any regulatory mandatory safety requirements.
Detail Oriented - A "Data Detective" mindset with the ability to read and interpret complex technical reports and legislation.
Problem Solving - Proficiency in root cause analysis (RCA) tools and a proactive approach to mitigating risks.
Communication - Excellent verbal and written skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and build trust with international suppliers.
You are Curious, Selfless, and Ambitious, thriving in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Treehouse Perks and Privileges
Koala is only great when its employees are happy — and we’re one happy bunch!
Hybrid working - We’re mixing it up with ~3 days back in the Alexandria Treehouse (office) and work from bed/home (WFB)
Take a break - Generous time off - volunteer, parental, Koala life leave and more to help keep your work-life balance, balanced.
Treehouse goods - Fully stocked kitchen with an emphasis on healthy local produce, think bougie brekky, salad bar, kombucha on tap, monthly barbies and more.
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 recognise that a diverse workforce is crucial to our success as a business.
To read more, check out our careers, LinkedIn, or the great work we do with Work180.
- Team
- Product
- Role
- Quality Control
- Locations
- Sydney Treehouse
- Remote status
- Hybrid
About Koala
At Koala, we create beautiful, flexible, and sustainable products for the changing needs of modern life, driven by bold ideas, global collaboration, and a mission to change the industry for good. Ready for meaningful work with good humans? Join us as a Joey in the Koala Treehouse.