Quality Assurance Director, Apparel (Mens/Womens)

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.Quince partners with world-class manufacturers across the globe and serves millions of customers. With strong investor backing and a focus on sustainable growth, we are a company that is rapidly scaling while maintaining a commitment to quality, simplicity, and radical price transparency.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 Quality Assurance Director, ApparelThe Quality Assurance Director is responsible for defining, leading, and overseeing the comprehensive Quality Assurance strategy and execution across apparel categories. This role ensures all apparel products consistently meet and exceed design intent, quality, safety, construction, and regulatory standards across all global markets. The Director partners closely with Executive Leadership, Merchandising, Sourcing, and Product Development to establish strategic quality goals, proactively mitigate risks, implement advanced testing protocols, and champion continuous quality improvement initiatives across the supply chain.This position reports to the VP, Quality, and holds ultimate responsibility for protecting product integrity and brand reputation across global markets. The ideal candidate brings strategic leadership and deep technical expertise in 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.ResponsibilitiesDefine, implement, and lead the overarching Quality Assurance and compliance strategy for the Apparel product lifecycle, from concept through production and customer feedback.Provide guidance and leadership to Merchandising, Sourcing, and Product Development teams to proactively identify, assess, and resolve complex quality and compliance concerns.Ensure all apparel products adhere to design intent, advanced craftsmanship standards, fabric/material specifications, and rigorous global regulatory compliance for domestic and international markets.Direct the application of advanced quality tools and methodologies (e.g., FMEA, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis) across new product development and manufacturing processes to identify and eliminate systemic quality risks.Establish and maintain high-level quality governance, including defining global Test Protocols, inspection standards, pass/fail criteria, and sampling methodologies specifically tailored for textile, knit, and woven fabric applications.Oversee the execution and auditing of testing and inspection plans across internal teams, manufacturing partners, and third-party laboratories to ensure consistent adherence to defined standards.Lead the development and maintenance of quality governance for product performance, durability, and fabric integrity testing.Stay ahead of evolving global regulations, certification standards, and industry best practices in textile and apparel manufacturing to ensure proactive compliance.Cultivate and manage strategic, high-level relationships with global suppliers, manufacturing partners, and external inspection agencies to drive a culture of collaborative quality ownership.Drive major defect reduction and continuous improvement initiatives, including setting compan