Apparel Quality Architect: Product Integrity & Compliance

Meijer Inc.; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Meijer Inc. is seeking an Apparel QA Specialist to establish and advance QA processes for Meijer Own Brand Softlines.

The role focuses on building QA infrastructure, ensuring product integrity, and partnering with Product Development, Technical Design, Sourcing, Merchandising, Compliance, and global vendors to meet quality standards. The position operates on a hybrid schedule in Grand Rapids, MI with remote days on Thursdays and Fridays, requiring strong leadership in quality initiatives and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel and Textile Technology and Quality Assurance preferred.
• 7 years of direct apparel QA experience in retail or private-label environment, with leadership in quality initiatives.
• At least 3 years guiding or leading quality functions or initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of apparel quality management systems and preventive QA practices.
• Working knowledge of AQL standards in apparel industry.
• Understanding of garment construction for knits, wovens, denim, etc.
• Experience partnering with overseas agents, vendors, and manufacturers.
• Ability to identify quality risks early and implement preventive actions.
• Ability to build new processes and drive adoption in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute foundational QA processes, infrastructure, standards, and training for Meijer Own Brand Apparel QA.
• Develop product requirements and construction standards for apparel.
• Create and refine testing protocols aligned with industry best practices.
• Coordinate with labs and vendors to test and inspect per Meijer standards.
• Perform root-cause analyses on failures and recommend corrective actions.
• Lead QA best practices for apparel across the organization.
• Collaborate with overseas agents and manufacturers to align on quality expectations.
• Support vendor qualification and contribute to vendor scorecards and quality systems.
• Communicate quality topics and investigations with internal teams and vendors.
• Guide post-launch product evaluation through return and complaint analysis.
• Identify quality risks early and advise preventive actions.
• Develop scalable QA processes and tools to improve consistency.
• Provide technical guidance to cross-functional partners.

Skills

QA leadership

Quality assurance

Apparel knowhow

AQL knowledge

Garment construction

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Lab coordination

MS Office & SharePoint

PLM experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Apparel and Textile Technology and Quality Assurance

Tools

PLM

Microsoft Excel

Word/PowerPoint/Outlook

SharePoint

Job description

Meijer Inc. is seeking an Apparel QA Specialist to establish and advance QA processes for Meijer Own Brand Softlines.

The role focuses on building QA infrastructure, ensuring product integrity, and partnering with Product Development, Technical Design, Sourcing, Merchandising, Compliance, and global vendors to meet quality standards. The position operates on a hybrid schedule in Grand Rapids, MI with remote days on Thursdays and Fridays, requiring strong leadership in quality initiatives and