Quality Manager

As a Quality Manager at JR286, you’ll take end-to-end ownership of building and maintaining the processes and quality initiatives to ensure our products meet the highest standards of performance, safety, reliability, and compliance. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role where you’ll partner across engineering, operations, and supply chain to embed quality throughout our manufacturing process. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in quality systems, supplier management, and cross-functional collaboration within the sporting goods industry.

What You'll Do:

• Product Quality Management
• Define and implement quality standards and testing protocols across all product categories (apparel, gear, footwear, accessories)
• Lead product inspections, testing, and quality audits throughout the product development and production lifecycle
• Work closely with design, development, and sourcing teams to ensure product quality is built in from concept through final production
• Monitor and resolve customer complaints and product returns related to quality issues
• Process Quality & Continuous Improvement
• Develop and maintain robust quality systems and SOPs to improve operational consistency
• Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Use tools such as FMEA, Six Sigma, and Lean methodologies to optimize quality processes
• Track and report on KPIs related to quality performance and improvement initiatives
• Supplier Quality Assurance
• Audit, qualify, and manage suppliers and manufacturers to ensure compliance with internal and regulatory standards
• Train and support suppliers on quality expectations, product specifications, and continuous improvement
• Conduct supplier site visits and evaluations as needed, including international travel
• Compliance & Certification
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., ISO 9001, CPSIA, REACH) and product safety regulations
• Collaborate with third-party testing labs to verify compliance and performance standards
• Other duties as assigned

What to Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (or Quality, Supply Chain, or related field)
• 5+ years of experience in Quality, Manufacturing, or Supplier Quality Engineering within, ideally in sporting goods, consumer products, or apparel/footwear
• Proven expertise in both product quality (fit, function, performance) and process quality (manufacturing, supply chain, systems)
• Experience with global sourcing and manufacturing, particularly in Asia and Latin America
• Strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills
• Proficient in quality tools and systems (e.g., Six Sigma, ISO, ERP, PLM)
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Certifications such as CQE, CQA, Six Sigma Black/Green Belt (strongly preferred) 
• Experience with sustainability and ethical manufacturing standards (strongly preferred) 
• Familiarity with testing protocols for apparel, footwear, and sporting goods (e.g., ASTM, AATCC, ISO) (strongly preferred) 

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary (we leverage market data) + benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k match, life insurance, pet insurance)
• Company gym with access to personal trainer
• On-site Kitchen
• Paid Parental Leave
• Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
• Responsible Time Off (aka Unlimited Vacation)
• 13 company holidays
• Professional development workshops
• Employee product discounts on selected brand