Nathan Lawless

Experience

• 

  Smyths Toys Superstores

  Sept 2011 - Apr 2015

  Sales Assistant
• 

  Kerry Foods

  May 2015 - Oct 2017

  Key Responsibilities:Establish Process Standard Operating Procedures - Develop and ensure compliance to SOP’s in line with the Quality Management System.Quality / Technical Issue Resolution - Lead the investigation and resolution of non conformances including non conformances relating to product, process, internal and external audits.High Performing Teams - Develop technical excellence within the Production Stream – through a programme of training, coaching, and mentoring.Analyse & report conversion performance metrics - Through analysis of Production Stream Performance Data, identify performance gaps, trends and improvement opportunities and communicate internally using visual management standards in the Production Stream and externally to site management team.Facilitate Continuous Improvement - Continuously improve standards set by facilitating and executing appropriate KPS Methodologies such as 8 Step Practical Problem Solving.Standard Confirmation - Check that standards set within the Production Stream are adhered to through layered confirmationQuality Inspection - Provide necessary guidance, training and support to enable the Production Stream to undertake routine factory-based food safety /quality standards Inspections including: Cleaning inspection Pre-start, Line Start up inspection, Fabrication Inspection, Glass Integrity Checks, Foreign Body Inspections and GMP Audits.Quality / Technical / Health & Safety / Environmental Issue Resolution & Support Show less Assess site compliance against defined corporate, customer and legislative standards including; KFMS, TFMS, IPPC, BRC, MPQAS, H & S, and customer specs across a site of 20+ departments, 18,000 m2, 1,000+ employees and a 24 hr operation.Push for closeout of raised non-conformance's through the management of an internal metric (QSHE) measuring compliance to our own and customer’s standards. Verify the completion of raised non-conformance's and advise on expected closeout time frames. Drive for permanent close out of raised or repeating issues.Maintain the site as a whole in an audit ready condition via performing QSHE (Quality, Systems, Health and Environment) audits across all departments and all shifts.Coaching of production stream of the requirements set out in relevant standards and advising on closeout strategies as required. Promote a high standard of awareness and understanding at site level of all appropriate policies, procedures and product specifications. Promote shared learning’s across all departments. Provide guidance and support to facilitate the implementation and on-going maintenance of Quality / Regulatory policies, Food Safety Programs (HACCP) procedures and product specifications.Detailed knowledge of relevant standards: Kerry Foods Manufacturing Standard (KFMS), Tesco Food Manufacturing Standard (TFMS), Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), Food Safety Standard (BRC), Meat Processor Quality Assurance Standard (MPQAS) etc.Audit areas include: Multiple dynamic production based departments, External Premises, Waste water treatment plant, Canteen, H & S, Environmental and Quality, Hygiene (Cleaners), Management Systems (QMS).Work with a “hot topic” department as required consulting and securing positive quality results in exceptional situations, for example, pre-external audit situation or a new product launch. Show less Facilitate the implementation of Quality Standards, ensuring the necessary support is made available to the Production Stream and other functional areas. Provide training, support and guidance to the Production Streams to ensure customer and regulatory standards are fully understood enabling effective implementation and on-going maintenance of Quality / Regulatory policies, Food Safety Programs (HACCP) procedures and product specifications.Maintain and ensure completion of required sampling schedules including; Speciation/Allergen validations, Pathogen, Micro, Antibiotic and cleaning.Facilitate the resolution and close out of issues/incidents which have been identified as part of audit or process monitoring activities. Dispensation request of non conforming material or WIP. Managing and updating "hold" status of material in question.Working with other site functional areas to ensure issues are investigated and corrective actions agreed and implemented. Verification of non-conformance close out upon receipt of corrective actionIssuing and trending non-conformance's to suppliers where raw materials received is in breach of agreed standards. Investigation of received customer complaints and responses. Continuously improve standards via Practical Problem Solving and other appropriate KPS methodologies with the Production Stream.Cover for Quality Lead (PSQL) in their absence. Show less

  • Quality Supervisor

    Jan 2017 - Oct 2017

  • Compliance Auditor

    Jun 2016 - Jan 2017

  • Quality Assurance Officer

    May 2015 - Jun 2016
• 

  Aldi Ireland

  Oct 2017 - Sept 2018

  Area Manager
• 

  Dunnes Stores

  Sept 2018 - Aug 2019

  Technical Analyst
• 

  Primark

  Jul 2019 - now

  Driving Primark's 2030 COO sourcing strategy, with a strong focus on supplier standards, security of supply, and capacity management. Passionate about attracting, developing, and integrating new suppliers while proactively investigating new sourcing territories to strengthen our supply chain. Dedicated to risk management and setting high supplier standards to ensure resilience and sustainability in a dynamic global market Category Management - Supplier performance, COO sourcing strategy and risk management, security of supply for 2030, capacity management, attracting developing and integrating new suppliers, investigating new sourcing territories for Primark. Product Technologist managing the areas of Food, Gifting, Kitchen, Furniture, Cleaning, Home Fragrance, Bathroom, Seasonal goods and more. (Homeware / Lifestyle / Hardgoods)Ensure all products developed and supplied to Primark complies with all relevant Quality Assurance Standards. Resolve regulatory and compliance issues in 14 countries. Work alongside buying teams, suppliers and test houses to develop and maintain standards.

  • Sourcing Operations Manager

    Mar 2025 - now

  • Sourcing Category Manager

    Feb 2023 - Mar 2025

  • Product Technologist - Homewares / Lifestyle

    Jul 2019 - Mar 2023