Quality Assurance Manager, Apparel (Kids/Baby/Toddler)

Quality Assurance Manager, Apparel (Kids/Baby/Toddler) United States, Remote ABOUT QUINCE Founded in 2018, Quince was built to challenge the idea that nice things have to cost a lot. Our mission is simple: to make really high quality essentials for really low prices, produced fairly and sustainably. We believe everyone deserves exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design without the traditional markups. Quince is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model that cuts out middlemen and leverages just-in-time manufacturing to minimize waste and maximize value. Quince is a tech company disrupting the retail industry by putting AI, analytics and automation at the center of everything we do. Our unwavering commitment to excellence and company values guide our teams and actions: Customer First : We prioritize customer satisfaction in every decision. High Quality : True quality means premium materials and rigorous production standards you can feel good about. Essential Design : We focus on timeless, functional essentials instead of chasing trends. Always a Better Deal : Innovation and transparency ensure value for both customers and partners. Social & Environmental Responsibility : We commit to sustainable materials, ethical production, and fair wages. OUR TEAM AND SUCCESS At Quince, you will be part of a high-performing team that is redefining what quality, value, and sustainability mean in modern retail. We are a destination for builders, innovators, and operators to come together and challenge the status quo. Our collective ambition is bold. We are creating an entirely new category and customer experience – one that democratizes luxury and provides high quality products at radically low prices. That mission demands a world-class team committed to excellence. If you are motivated by impact, growth, and purpose, you will find a strong sense of belonging at Quince. THE ROLE 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, and a proven track record of successfully establishing and managing large-scale, global quality programs. RESPONSIBILITIES 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 kids, baby, toddler 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. WHY QUINCE? Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr