Governance & Business Process Specialist | Luxury Goods | Fixed Term Contract

GOVERNANCE & BUSINESS PROCESS SPECIALIST - FIXED TERM CONTRACT

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the CEO & COO this newly defined role will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and refining company policies and process to ensure compliance and efficiency and support our goal of sustainable excellence whilst building our foundations for our onward vision.

This role includes creating and managing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), overseeing GDPR policies and compliance, and ensuring adherence to corporate governance, HR regulations, and industry best practices. Additionally, this role will play a strategic part in positioning the company for ISO accreditation and establishing a roadmap for B-Corp certification.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in process improvement, quality management, and compliance, with experience working within UK legal frameworks. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the company’s operational efficiency and long-term sustainability goals and underpin the ability for it to achieve its growth aspirations.

MAIN ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP's)

• Build on & develop a company R&R matrix to create blueprints of best practice
• Develop, implement, and regularly update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all departments to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance with UK laws and internal policies.
• Collaborate with department heads to map business processes and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure all SOPs are documented, easily accessible, and effectively communicated across the organisation.

GDPR COMPLIANCE

• Oversee and manage the company’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance strategy.
• Ensure that personal data is handled, stored, and processed in line with GDPR requirements.
• Conduct regular data protection audits and risk assessments to identify areas of non-compliance and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver GDPR training to staff, ensuring company-wide understanding and adherence to data protection policies.

GOVERNANCE & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

• Ensure the company adheres to all UK corporate governance requirements, including statutory reporting, compliance with Companies House regulations, and any other applicable legal obligations.
• Develop and maintain policies and controls that ensure compliance with employment law, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, and other relevant legislation.
• Work closely with HR, legal, and finance departments to ensure company-wide understanding and adherence to regulatory obligations.
• Administrate legal matters with our appointed legal team to minimise risk & improve processes to mitigate future risks
• Ensure the company’s HR policies are up-to-date, compliant with UK employment laws, and aligned with best practices in association with appointed specialist advisor.
• Review and revise policies related to recruitment, onboarding, employee rights, performance management, and disciplinary processes.
• Ensuring all departments are working within our HR frameworks and policies with EA.

ISO ACCREDITATION PREPARATION

• Lead the company’s efforts to achieve ISO accreditation (e.g., ISO 9001 for Quality Management etc).
• Develop and implement a comprehensive ISO roadmap, outlining key milestones, timelines, and resources needed to achieve certification.
• Coordinate with external auditors, ensuring all documentation, processes, and systems meet ISO standards.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and align with ISO quality standards.

B-CORP CERTIFICATION ROADMAP

• Develop a strategic roadmap for the company’s journey towards achieving B-Corp certification.
• Identify areas where the company needs to improve its social and environmental impact to meet B-Corp standards.
• Work with stakeholders across the company to promote sustainability, transparency, and social responsibility.
• Establish benchmarks and tracking mechanisms to measure progress toward B-Corp certification.

PROCESS IMPROVEMENT & RISK MANAGEMENT

• Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and mitigate risks.
• Develop and manage a business process improvement framework that includes regular audits, performance monitoring, and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with senior management to identify opportunities for innovation, cost savings, and performance improvements.
• Implement corrective actions to address process inefficiencies or non-compliance issues.
• Updating the company risk register, and reporting to the SLT
• Contract management – ensuring they are underpinned by company best practice, tracked and renewed in association with department leads.

TRAINING & COMMUNICATION

• Develop and deliver training programs on corporate governance, compliance, GDPR, and quality management systems.
• Ensure that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities regarding regulatory compliance and process adherence.
• Foster a culture of quality, compliance, and continuous improvement across the company.

REPORTING & DOCUMENTATION

• Maintain accurate records of all compliance activities, policies, and process documentation.
• Prepare regular reports for senior management on the status of compliance efforts, ISO accreditation progress, and B-Corp certification milestones.
• Ensure all documentation is audit-ready and easily accessible for internal and external reviews.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS CRITERIA

• SOP Development: Proven experience in creating, managing, and improving Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across various business functions.
• GDPR Expertise: Strong understanding of GDPR regulations and practical experience in implementing data protection policies and controls.
• Corporate Governance Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of UK corporate governance and regulatory compliance requirements.
• HR Policy Management: Experience working with HR teams to ensure policies comply with UK employment law and industry best practices.
• ISO Accreditation Experience: Hands-on experience in preparing for and achieving ISO certifications, with knowledge of quality management systems and auditing processes.
• B-Corp Knowledge: Familiarity with the requirements for B-Corp certification and experience developing strategies to achieve social and environmental sustainability goals.
• Process Improvement: Strong background in business process analysis, improvement, and risk management, with experience in implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
• Leadership & Communication: Excellent leadership skills with the ability to train and influence staff at all levels. Strong communication skills to articulate complex regulatory requirements in a clear and concise manner.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Business Administration, Quality Management, Law, or related field.
• Professional certification in Quality Management (e.g., ISO 9001, Six Sigma) is highly desirable.
• At least 5 years of experience in a compliance, quality management, or process improvement role, ideally within a UK-based SME.
• Strong working knowledge of UK legal requirements in data protection (GDPR), corporate governance, and HR compliance.
• Experience with ISO certification processes and B-Corp certification frameworks.

WHAT WILL MAKE YOU RIGHT FOR THIS ROLE?

• Highly detail-oriented and organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset, with a strong focus on driving efficiency and compliance.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with the ability to build strong relationships with colleagues across departments.
• Passionate about sustainability, corporate responsibility, and continuous improvement.

ABOUT HARPAR GRACE INTERNATIONAL

Harpar Grace International (HGI) is an entrepreneurial, dynamic and passionate luxury beauty & wellbeing company founded in 2013, specialising in the development, distribution and management of innovative, cosmeceutical, spa and retail brands.

The company continues to achieve exceptional year-on-year performance and the team is rapidly expanding to support the ambitious growth of the company and brand portfolio.

Harpar Grace are the exclusive distributors for iS Clinical Cosmeceuticals, Totally Derma Nutraceutical drink supplement throughout UK & Ireland and Caribbean and global brand owners for Déesse PRO LED Light therapy brand and newly appointed exclusive distributor for Revitalash Cosmetics UK & Ireland.