Quality Manager, Soft Goods

Position: Quality Manager, Soft GoodsLocation: Bozeman, MT, USAEmployment Type: Full-Time, In-PersonDepartment: ProductReports To: Design DirectorROLEThe Quality Manager will be responsible for managing all Quality Assurance activities from receipt of the factory's counter-sample, through the manufacturing and exit of finished goods from the factory, and into the tracking of post-sale warranty claims. These efforts will be supported through extensive documentation, communication and reporting of clearly defined standards, processes and outcome metrics. This work will require close interaction with external Factory Partners as well as management of internal Quality Agents and regular collaboration with the Product Creation and Customer Experience Teams. Respect, rapport and relationship-building with external vendors is also of primary importance.QUALITY INSPECTIONThe Quality Manager will implement in-line inspection during the manufacturing phase and AQL inspection of finished goods before factory exit. This will be accomplished both in-person and through management of a team of Quality Agents. Collectively the Quality Team will work closely with factory partners to resolve production difficulties upstream and in-line so that quality issues found in finished product and post-sale are minimized. Broadly speaking the Quality Manager will be responsible for on-time factory exit of 1st quality finished goods and tracking the effectiveness of QA efforts through monitoring of post-sale warranty claims.DOCUMENTS AND STANDARDSThe Quality Manager will understand Evergoods product details and construction standards and ensure that these are well-documented and communicated to Factory Partners. The Quality Manager will be responsible for a Quality Inspection Document for each style and for creating standard and process documentation wherever it is lacking. These documents will be regularly reviewed and maintained for accuracy.DEFECTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMSThe Quality Manager will track product defects and failures discovered post-sale through the customer service and product return processes. These issues will be reviewed, catalogued and reported on regularly to monitor the effectiveness of our Quality Assurance activities and so that appropriate action may be taken in future manufacturing or design efforts. If warranted, the Quality Manager will arrange chargebacks or other appropriate remedies in response to large volumes of non-conforming product or warranty claims with the approval and visibility of Design Director and Chief Operating Officer.COMMUNICATION CONDUITThe Quality Manager will act as a conduit between our factory partners and the rest of the Evergoods team, bridging the gap between design intention and manufacturing reality so that each side can communicate with increased clarity and with a focus on practical problem-solving. This will require honest and communicative relationships with all parties.Early on, this role will encompass a broad range of Quality Assurance and Production-related responsibilities. As production volumes grows this role may be divided up into more focused teams and job descriptions.PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIESPrepare, maintain and review Quality departmental budgetCreation and execution of a Quality Inspection CalendarCoordination with Quality Agents and factory representatives to conduct in-line inspection of all production runs and AQL inspection of all finished goodsImplement remedy plans for Quality issues as requiredCommunication conduit between Factory Partners and Evergoods TeamsCreation and maintenance of the Quality Inspection Document for each styleCreation and maintenance of Construction Standard documentsMaintenance and implementation of the Vendor Compliance ManualTrack and catalogue warranty claims and defective returns to initiate upstream action when warrantedAudit and onboarding process for new Factory PartnersAREAS OF SUPPORTAdvise the Product Team on areas of production difficulty related to specific stylesAssist Product Team in formulating and implementing production-appropriate solutions to design problemsAdvise and educate the Customer Experience Team on questionable warranty claimsKeep and maintain an inventory of current PP samples to ensure accurate references are availableRELEVANT SKILLS3+ years of working in and exposure to cut & sew production environmentsStrong organizational and scheduling skillsFamiliarity with AQL inspection proceduresGenuine interest in high quality cut & sew goods and the desire to manufacture to a very high standardExperience and familiarity with sewn construction, assembly and manufacturingAbility to work and communicate in a culturally diverse environmentStrong written and spoken communication in EnglishAbility to create heavily visual documents for effective communication across language and cultureMicrosoft Office tools (Word, Excel, etc)Google Workspace tools (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Meet, etc)Adobe IllustratorMeasurement in fractional inches and metric decimalsSimple photography for use as sample review reference or documentationMust maintain a current and valid US passport for international travelWORK STRUCTUREAbility to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of the timeThis position may require working off-hours outside of regular office hoursWeeks not spent traveling will be spent in-office with flexibility to offset an irregular work structureEMPLOYEE CONDUCTIt is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers, and vendors.EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYEvergoods is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.To apply, send your resume and cover letter to careers@evergoods.us with the job title as the subject line.