Apparel Quality Assurance & Compliance Director

Duluth Trading Company; Mount Horeb (WI); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan options

Dental & Vision plans

Health Savings Account

401(k) Employer Match

Parental Leave

Paid holidays

Paid Time Off

Daily pay available

Employee Discount

Flexible Fridays

Onsite fitness center

Job summary

Duluth Trading Company seeks a Director of QA & Compliance to lead global QA, product integrity, and regulatory programs across all product lines. Based at our headquarters near Madison, WI, this role blends in-office collaboration with a Friday remote option, guiding teams and vendors to uphold durability and safety standards.

You will drive strategy, partner across design, sourcing, and logistics, and ensure adherence to US and international regulations while pushing continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Apparel/Textile- Product Development, Quality Management or Engineering.
• 10+ years in QA/regulatory roles, ideally in US retail.
• 5+ years managing QA teams.
• 10+ years in US retail QA/compliance leadership with multi-category experience.
• 3+ years managing Fulfillment QA in US preferred.
• Proven track record implementing QA programs in global manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of global sourcing, manufacturing and TQM.
• Deep technical knowledge of apparel construction, materials, and processes.
• Knowledge of CPSC, CPSIA, Prop 65, FTC rules and global social compliance.
• Fluent in English with high integrity and leadership skills.
• ASQ/ Six Sigma certifications preferred.
• Organized, detail-oriented and collaborative with cross-functional teams.
• Proficient in Google applications and PLM software.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement QA and compliance strategies aligned with company objectives and customer expectations.
• Lead and manage QA systems and inspection protocols.
• Ensure consistent adherence to standards and specifications throughout manufacturing.
• Drive continuous improvement to enhance product quality and reduce defects.
• Establish and maintain Total Quality Management across suppliers with inspections and evaluations.
• Partner with Tech Design and Raw Material leaders on testing protocols.
• Collaborate with third-party labs for inspections when needed.
• Strengthen supplier relationships to meet safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Develop and lead a QA team; provide training to uphold high quality standards.
• Define and own the factory certification program.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product development, sourcing, and logistics.
• Analyze quality data to identify trends and root causes; enforce CAPA with suppliers.
• Evaluate and enhance Supplier QA Scorecard and KPI.
• Implement compliance programs for US and international trade mandates.
• Manage Product Safety protocol and social/environmental audits.
• Lead FC audit teams for inbound shipment audits.
• Manage quality and labor chargebacks for supplier issues.
• Execute local re-work projects when needed.

Skills

Quality assurance leadership

Regulatory compliance

Global sourcing

TQM knowledge

Leadership & communication

Six Sigma / Lean

PLM software

Google applications

US work authorization

Fulfillment QA leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Apparel/ Textile- Product Development, Quality Management or Engineering

Job description

Position Overview

The Director of QA & Compliance leads and manages the global end-to-end quality assurance, product integrity, and regulatory compliance programs across all product lines at Duluth Trading Company. This role ensures that every Duluth product meets the company's quality promise on our high-quality and ingenious gear, which is to last with unmatched durability, and complies with US state and federal regulations.

Position Details

Work Environment:

At Duluth Trading Company, we value face-to-face interactions that foster our culture of learning, creativity, and teamwork. The role is based at our headquarters near Madison, WI. You will work in the office Monday through Thursday, with the option to work from home on Fridays if you prefer.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and implement Quality assurance and compliance strategies aligned with company objectives and customer expectations
• Lead and manage quality assurance systems and Inspection protocols
• Ensure consistent adherence to standards and specifications throughout the manufacturing process
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, reduce defects, and optimize production processes
• Ensure Total Quality management is established and maintained across all suppliers, utilizing inspection processes and conducting Technical Factory Evaluations
• Partner with Tech Design and Raw Material leaders to ensure that Product testing protocols meet customers’ expectations on the durable quality products
• Work with the 3rd party labs & providers to utilize their service for inspections, when needed
• Build and strengthen supplier relationships to ensure products and manufacturing processes meet safety, quality and environmental standards
• Develop and lead a team of QA professionals. Provide training and guidance to ensure teams are equipped with skills and knowledge to uphold high quality standards and achieve departmental goals
• Define and own the factory certification program
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product development, technical design, sourcing and logistics
• Analyze quality data to identify trends, root causes and identify areas of improvement and enforce CAP with suppliers
• Evaluate and enhance Supplier QA Scorecard and KPI
• Evaluate and implement the compliance programs to ensure all US federal, state, and international trade compliance mandates
• Manage the Product Safety protocol
• Enforce factory social compliance, human rights, and environmental audit programs
• Lead and Manage the FC audit teams in ADV and BVL for inbound shipment audits
• Manage the quality & labor chargeback for any quality failures with suppliers
• Execute any local re-work projects, when needed

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor's Degree in Apparel/ Textile- Product Development, Quality Management or Engineering - Equivalent work experience will be considered.
• 10+ Years of experience
• 5+ Years of management experience
• 10+ years of experience in US retail QA and compliance leadership with multi-category experience across apparel, hardgoods and gears
• 3+ Year of Experience in managing Fulfillment QA team in US is preferred
• Proven track record of implementing and managing QA programs in a global manufacturing environment
• Strong Knowledge of global sourcing, manufacturing and TQM
• Deep technical knowledge of product construction, materials, garment washing, applications and manufacturing processes for all apparel and accessories categories
• Strong working knowledge of CPSC, CPSIA, Prop 65, FTC rules, and global social compliance frameworks
• High integrity and ethical standards
• Strong leadership and communication skills. Fluent in English
• Six Sigma / Lean (Green or Black Belt), ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CQM), or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) preferred
• Highly organized and detail oriented, with a keen sense of urgency
• Highly motivated and able to collaborate with cross functional teams
• Proficient in Google applications and experience with PLM software
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship

Leadership Competencies:

Leading Self:

Leading Others:

• Inspiring Trust
• Adaptability
• Mature Confidence
• Career and Self Development

• Driving Execution
• Building Organizational Relationships
• Empowering Others
• Fostering Open Dialogue
• Attracting & Developing Talent
• Leadership Versatility

Physical Environment & Travel Expectations:

• Travel is required for up to 25%: International and Domestic
• Sitting is required for 80% of working hours
• Standing is required for 20% of working hours.
• Continuous arm, hand, and wrist movement (ie: typing)
• Occasional reaching, twisting, and bending.
• Noise level no greater than casual conversation.
• Ability to perform work in cubicle workstations or an office setting
• Work in temperatures ranging from 65 - 75 degrees

Duluth Headquarters Benefits and Perks

Our pursuit of a better way isn't just about our products- it's about our people too. That's why our Dam Good Crew enjoys a comprehensive benefits package, designed to support their well-being and success.

• Multiple Medical plan options

• Dental & Vision plans

• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

• Health Savings Account including company contributions

• Company paid Life Insurance and AD&D

• Company paid Short-Term Disability

• Other various voluntary benefits including: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Long-Term Disability and Supplemental Life Insurance

• 401(k) Employer Match

• Parental Leave

• Paid holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

• Paid Time Off: take it as you need it policy for exempt employees

• Daily pay available

• 40% Employee Discount

• Flexible Fridays

• Onsite fitness center

Position Compensation Outline

Compensation Range: $135,000 - $160,000/year

This position is eligible to participate in the company bonus and long term incentive programs upon hire.

Compensation listed is for the full-time position at this specific location and is based on several factors, including experience, and qualifications. Benefits and perks may have eligibility requirements and are subject to change.

Duluth Trading Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

About Duluth Trading Company

Started in 1989, Duluth Trading Company exists to enable hard-working individuals to take on life with their own two hands. Folks that revel in doing it the hard way and celebrate finding a better way. We seek talented individuals who share these beliefs and are excited to further the Duluth Trading legacy with a digital-first mindset, always moving forward and always innovating.

From ingenious Duluth workwear, to comfortably capable Buck Naked Underwear, to outside-embracing AKHG, it's all about the innovative gear and gadgets that equip customers for a more hands-on way of life.

Top-notch quality, immersive storytelling, outstanding customer service, and the shared belief that the go-all-in-and-dig-deep spirit exists with everyone are what sets Duluth Trading Co. apart. We seek talented folks looking to be part of a can-do team that’s hellbent on helping the world to gear up, get its hands dirty, and do.