Apparel Quality Assurance Lead

Meijer Inc.; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Scheduling flexibility

Paid parental leave

Education assistance

Team member discount

Development programs

Job summary

Meijer Inc. in Grand Rapids is seeking an Apparel QA Engineer Specialist to establish QA processes for our Own Brand Apparel, focusing on fabric quality, construction, and performance.

You will partner with Product Development, Sourcing, and overseas factories to build testing protocols, review lab results, and drive corrective actions.

A strong background in apparel QA, AQL standards, and vendor collaboration is required, with leadership in quality initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7 years of apparel QA experience in retail or private-label environment.
• 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 and their application to apparel.
• Experience with overseas agents, indirect vendors, and global manufacturers.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute foundational QA processes and testing infrastructure for Meijer Own Brand Apparel.
• Develop and maintain product requirements and construction standards for general wearing apparel.
• Create testing protocols aligned with industry best practices.
• Coordinate with testing labs and vendors to ensure testing per Meijer protocols.
• Review failures, perform root-cause analysis, and propose 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 scorecard development.
• Lead post-launch product evaluation including returns and in-store reviews.

Skills

Apparel quality assurance

Cross-functional collaboration

Quality leadership

AQL standards

Root-cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Apparel & Textile Technology and Quality Assurance

BS in Engineering or Physical Science

Masters or advanced degree (Materials/Textiles/Chemical)

Professional Quality Certifications (ASQ CQE/Lean Six Sigma)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

SharePoint

PLM

Job description

Meijer Inc. in Grand Rapids is seeking an Apparel QA Engineer Specialist to establish QA processes for our Own Brand Apparel, focusing on fabric quality, construction, and performance.

You will partner with Product Development, Sourcing, and overseas factories to build testing protocols, review lab results, and drive corrective actions.

A strong background in apparel QA, AQL standards, and vendor collaboration is required, with leadership in quality initiatives.