Apparel Product Quality Specialist

Meijer Inc.; Gaylord (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Scheduling flexibility

Paid parental leave

Paid education assistance

Team member discount

Development programs for advancement

Job summary

Meijer is seeking an Apparel QA Specialist to establish QA infrastructure for Own Brand Softlines and to partner with Product Development, Sourcing, Compliance, and global vendors to ensure quality, safety, and performance across products.

The role emphasizes building standards, testing protocols, and leading QA initiatives with a hybrid schedule: Monday–Wednesday in Grand Rapids, MI, and Thursday–Friday remote.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preference for Apparel/Textile QA背景
• 7+ years apparel QA experience in retail/private-label
• Strong leadership in quality initiatives and cross-functional collaboration

Responsibilities

• Build and execute QA processes, infrastructure, standards, and training for Meijer Own Brand Apparel
• Develop product requirements and construction standards
• Create testing protocols aligned with industry best practices
• Coordinate with labs and vendors to ensure testing per Meijer protocols
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions
• Provide guidance to cross-functional partners on product integrity

Skills

QA leadership

Apparel quality

Cross-functional collaboration

Lab coordination

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Apparel/Textile Quality Assurance

Tools

PLM

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

As a family company, we serve people and communities. When you work at Meijer, you’re provided with career and community opportunities centered around leadership, personal growth and development. Consider joining our family – take care of your career and your community! Meijer Rewards

• Weekly pay
• Scheduling flexibility
• Paid parental leave
• Paid education assistance
• Team member discount
• Development programs for advancement and career growth

The Apparel QA Specialist plays a key role in establishing and advancing quality assurance processes for Meijer Own Brand Softlines.

This role focuses on building QA infrastructure, ensuring product integrity, and partnering closely with Product Development, Technical Design, Sourcing, Merchandising, Compliance, and global vendor partners to ensure all Own Brand products meet Meijer’s standards for quality, safety, and performance.

This position follows our hybrid schedule: Monday-Wednesday in Grand Rapids MI office, Thursday-Friday remote.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Responsible in building and executing foundational QA processes, infrastructure, technical standards and training for Meijer’s Own Brand Quality Program for Apparel products.
• Develop and maintain product requirements and construction standards for general wearing apparel.
• Create and refine testing protocols, aligning with apparel industry best practices.
• Partner with the Apparel Compliance Specialist to ensure regulatory requirements are accurately reflected in testing protocols and tech packs.
• Coordinate with testing labs and vendors to ensure products are tested and inspected according to Meijer protocols and standards.
• Review testing and inspection failures, conduct root‑cause analysis, and recommend corrective actions.
• Acting business lead for quality assurance related best practices for apparel.
• Work with overseas agents, direct vendors, and manufacturers to align on quality expectations and resolve production issues.
• Support vendor qualification efforts and contribute to the development of Meijer’s vendor scorecard and quality management system.
• Participate in the selection of approved labs and provide input on vendor and manufacturer capability assessments.
• Communicate with internal teams, stores, vendors, labs and overseas agents on quality topics, production issues, and product investigations.
• Execute quality initiatives and program direction as defined by the QA Apparel Manager.
• Lead post‑launch product evaluation strategies, including analysis of customer returns, complaints, and in‑store product reviews.
• Identify quality risks early and recommend preventive actions.
• Contribute to the development of scalable QA processes and tools that improve product consistency and reduce defects.
• Provide technical guidance to cross‑functional partners to strengthen product integrity across categories.

This job profile is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

What You’ll Bring With You:

• Bachelor’s degree, with a preference for a degree in Apparel and Textile Technology and Quality Assurance 7 years of direct Apparel quality assurance experience in a retail or private‑label environment, with strong leadership in quality initiatives and cross‑functional collaboration preferred
• At least 3 years of experience guiding or leading quality functions or initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of apparel quality management systems and preventive QA practices.
• Working knowledge of AQL standards and their application specific to the Apparel industry.
• Solid understanding of garment construction for cut‑and‑sew knits, sweater knits, wovens, denim and related materials.
• Experience partnering with overseas agents, indirect vendors, and global manufacturers.
• Proven ability to identify quality risks early and implement effective preventive actions.
• Thrives in building new processes and influencing adoption in a fast‑paced environment.
• Able to produce accurate, high‑quality work quickly and support others in doing the same.
• Comfortable working across all divisions and organizational levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint; PLM experience is a plus.
• Strong independent problem‑solving, analytical, and assessment skills.
• Professional Quality Certifications preferred (ASQ CQE, CRE, Lean Six Sigma, etc.)

We opened our doors more than 90 years ago with the goal of helping people provide for themselves and their family. Today we’re a multi‑billion dollar retailer with more than 70,000 employees across six states. Our Midwest geography includes corporate offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan, plus manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and over 270 stores across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Meijer is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to treating all persons with dignity and respect. Meijer's policy is to not discriminate because of any applicant or team member's race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, age, physical or mental disability, uniformed service or veteran status, or any other lawfully-protected classification. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of your application. Submissions that are not seeking help to complete the application due to a disability will not be responded to.