[Hiring] Quality Assurance Manager, Apparel @Quince

Role Description

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading quality execution across product development and production to ensure products meet design, safety, construction and regulatory standards. This role partners closely with Merchandising, Sourcing, and Product Development to proactively identify risks, implement testing protocols, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This position reports to the Director of QA and plays a critical role in protecting product integrity and brand reputation across domestic and international markets.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in kids/baby/toddler apparel quality control, including:

• Fabric and textile performance
• Regulatory compliance
• Advanced inspection processes
• A proven track record of successfully establishing and managing large-scale, global quality programs

Responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with Merchandising, Sourcing, and Product Development teams to proactively identify and address potential quality concerns during product development and production.
• Ensure products meet design intent, craftsmanship standards, material specifications, and regulatory compliance across footwear, bags and accessories categories for both domestic and international markets.
• Conduct and support Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for new product development initiatives to identify potential quality risks early in the development cycle.
• Develop and implement product testing protocols and inspection plans to mitigate potential quality or defect issues, including defining test methods, pass/fail criteria, and sampling methodologies.
• Execute and oversee testing and inspection plans across internal teams and third-party partners to ensure adherence to approved standards.
• Establish and maintain quality governance for product durability testing.
• Maintain governance of Test Protocols and Inspection Plans, ensuring all internal teams and third-party partners follow approved documentation and processes.
• Stay current on applicable regulations, certification standards, and industry best practices to ensure compliance.
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and external inspection partners to ensure quality standards are consistently applied.
• Lead defect reduction and continuous improvement initiatives across suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Collaborate with and develop a team of professionals supporting quality and compliance programs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in Quality Assurance within kids, baby and toddler apparel industry
• Proven experience in an online apparel retail environment, with broad exposure across diverse apparel product categories and assortments.
• Experience working with major retailers (including ecommerce brands), luxury brands and scale brands.
• Experience establishing and managing inspection and quality control processes at scale, including return inspection and defect analysis.
• Experience developing and implementing product testing protocols and inspection plans using industry-accepted methods.
• Working knowledge of quality tools and methodologies (e.g., FMEA, Root Cause Analysis, Statistical Process Control).
• Quality management experience within manufacturing and production environments.
• Strong understanding of Total Quality Management (TQM) principles.
• Proven ability to drive measurable impact, including defect reduction and supplier quality improvements.
• Experience leading and developing quality team members.
• Strong strategic thinking, structured communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Benefits

• Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail.
• Work alongside talented colleagues.
• Tackle meaningful challenges.
• Contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike.

Equal Opportunity & Hiring Integrity

Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing this accommodation form. We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds. At Quince, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.