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

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.