Quality Assurance Director, Apparel (Mens/Womens)

quince

San Francisco, California · San Francisco · United States

Posted Mar 19, 2026

Other
Product Quality - Apparel

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Job description

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, Apparel

The 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.

Responsibilities

Define, 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 company-wide quality KPIs and implementing robust supplier quality management programs.
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of Quality Assurance and Compliance professionals, fostering their growth and development.

Qualifications

Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance, with at least 3-5 years in a Director-level or equivalent senior leadership role within the Apparel industry.
Proven experience in an online apparel retail environment, with broad exposure across diverse apparel product categories and assortments.
Deep expertise in fabric and textile science, garment construction, pattern quality, and manufacturing processes for various apparel categories.
Experience establishing, managing, and optimizing inspection and quality control processes at scale within a global manufacturing and supply chain environment.
Proven expertise in developing, implementing, and enforcing product testing and quality inspection protocols using internationally recognized methods (e.g., AQL standards).
Expert working knowledge of quality tools and advanced methodologies (e.g., FMEA, Root Cause Analysis, Statistical Process Control, Six Sigma).
Strong strategic understanding and application of Total Quality Management (TQM) principles in a dynamic production environment.
Demonstrated ability to drive substantial, measurable impact on key business metrics, including significant defect reduction and global supplier quality enhancement.
Extensive experience leading, mentoring, and developing a team of quality professionals.
Exceptional strategic thinking, structured executive communication, and proven cross-functional leadership skills across global teams.

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.

Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds

At Quince, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.