Bridal Technical Design Quality Control Manager

Essense Design; Lackmans (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Essense of Australia, a global bridal fashion leader, seeks a seasoned Quality Control & Returns Manager to lead our QC and Returns team in the US. You will partner with Customer Service, Warehouse, and international factories to uphold quality, meet tight SLA deadlines, and deliver exceptional service.

This role, internally named Garment Technician Manager - Quality Control and Returns, requires deep garment construction knowledge, cross‑functional leadership, and a data‑driven approach to

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Apparel, Fashion or related degree is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• At least 7-10 years of professional work experience. Previous experience and/or exposure to administrative stock management preferred
• High proficiency in: Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) and Illustrator.
• Familiarity with CRM/Salesforce and PLM/Centric software a plus.
• Impeccable attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to lead effectively to a deadline.
• Leadership skills with the ability to quickly assimilate to the team and build rapport to motivate and coach team to drive performance outcomes. Strong leadership presence and the ability to influence and build credibility as a trusted resource.
• High level of emotional intelligence and organizational awareness to allow for effective individual and team leadership as well as collaboration and leverage of expertise across the company
• Technical knowledge of garment construction including knowledge of sewing, pattern making and an ability to do technical flat sketches preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey thoughts very clearly in writing to our offshore factories as well as colleagues in other countries where email is the primary form of communication.
• Procedure and process oriented with the ability to clearly document processes for communication and training and the ability to carefully supervise departmental projects and timelines.
• Must have a strong work ethic, be a team player, and the flexibility to assist with tasks outside of the standard work hours.
• Ability to lead and thrive in a challenging, dynamic environment where multi-tasking and adaptability are a requirement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the QC and Returns team with clear direction, training, and development
• Evaluate workflows, staffing levels, and processes to maximize efficiency while preserving quality
• Drive daily planning and workload prioritization to meet aggressive SLA deadlines
• Collaborate with offshore factories to resolve issues and maintain service level agreements
• Identify and implement process improvements across QC and Returns
• Prepare, analyze, and communicate on-time QC performance metrics
• Track customer returns and factory performance across US, UK, and Canada
• Develop and expand reporting dashboards with the Product Operations team
• Monitor and oversee returns across North America and UK markets
• Ensure timely, accurate processing and SLA compliance
• Maintain communication with cross-functional teams on quality and sampling issues
• Communicate with the Australian Product Operations team on production quality
• Forecast bulk shipment volumes and right-size team staffing to match demand fluctuations
• Ensure team is trained, supported, and aligned on procedures
• Oversee factory deliverables and deadline compliance with management expectations

Skills

Excel

Illustrator

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Leadership

Communication

Team coaching

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's in Apparel or Fashion

Equivalent relevant experience

Tools

CRM/Salesforce

PLM/Centric

Job description

Overview

Essenseof Australia is an international bridal wholesaler with key offices based in Lenexa, Kansas, Perth, Australia, and Zug, Switzerland. Our organization also operates in the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, and New Zealand. We have been a global leader in bridal fashion for over 20 years and our designs are currently sold in nearly 1,000 stores worldwide. With innovative designs and a strong customer service approach, Essenseof Australia is a dynamic company that rewards excellence, drive, and collaboration.

The Role

Every beautiful bridal gown tells a story—and we make sure it arrives perfect. If you're passionate about quality, skilled at resolving construction and fit issues on intricate bridal gowns, and experienced leading a team through fast-paced, detail-driven operations, we want to meet you.

As the Quality Control & Returns Manager, you'll oversee our Quality Control and Returns team— ensuring quality standards are met on bridal gowns that are shipped from our factories into our US warehouse. You'll work collaboratively with Customer Service, Warehouse, and international factory partners to ensure flawless execution, tight timelines, and service levels that wow our customers.

Internally, this role will be known as Garment Technician Manager - Quality Control and Returns.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

• Lead and support the QC and Returns team with clear direction, training, and development
• Evaluate workflows, staffing levels, and processes to maximize efficiency without sacrificing quality
• Drive daily planning and workload prioritization to meet aggressive SLA deadlines
• Collaborate with offshore factories to resolve issues and maintain service level agreements
• Identify and implement process improvements across QC and Returns
• Prepare, analyze, and communicate on-time QC performance metrics
• Track customer returns and factory performance across US, UK, and Canada
• Develop and expand reporting dashboards with the Product Operations team
• Monitor and oversee returns across North America and UK markets
• Ensure timely, accurate processing and SLA compliance
• Maintain communication with cross-functional teams on quality and sampling issues
• Communicate with the Australian Product Operations team on production quality
• Forecast bulk shipment volumes and right-size team staffing to match demand fluctuations
• Ensure team is trained, supported, and aligned on procedures
• Oversee factory deliverables and deadline compliance with management expectations

Qualifications

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelors in Apparel, Fashion or related degree is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• At least 7-10 years of professional work experience. Previous experience and/or exposure to administrative stock management preferred
• High proficiency in: Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) and Illustrator.
• Familiarity with CRM/Salesforce and PLM/Centric software a plus.
• Impeccable attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to lead effectively to a deadline.
• Leadership skills with the ability to quickly assimilate to the team and build rapport to motivate and coach team to drive performance outcomes. Strong leadership presence and the ability to influence and build credibility as a trusted resource.
• High level of emotional intelligence and organizational awareness to allow for effective individual and team leadership as well as collaboration and leverage of expertise across the company
• Technical knowledge of garment construction including knowledge of sewing, pattern making and an ability to do technical flat sketches preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey thoughts very clearly in writing to our offshore factories as well as colleagues in other countries where email is the primary form of communication.
• Procedure and process oriented with the ability to clearly document processes for communication and training and the ability to carefully supervise departmental projects and timelines.
• Must have a strong work ethic, be a team player, and the flexibility to assist with tasks outside of the standard work hours.
• Ability to lead and thrive in a challenging, dynamic environment where multi-tasking and adaptability are a requirement.

What We Offer

Essense of Australia is a company with heart. We value creativity, innovation, and dedication, and we’re looking for someone who shares our passion for delivering exceptional bridal fashion to brides and partners alike. In return for your skills, we offer you the opportunity to join an international industry leader and be part of a creative and collaborative culture that empowers its people, promotes teamwork, and embraces sustainability. We recognize and reward excellence, innovation, and loyalty. As such, we provide competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. If you have the skills, spark and drive to help us further our growth, please go to https://www.essensedesigns.com/careers/ and follow the prompts to submit your cover letter addressing the above criteria along with a resume and salary expectations.

Join Essense of Australia and be part of a passionate team dedicated to helping brides around the world find their dream wedding gowns. If you're ready to make an impact and drive success in a global bridal fashion powerhouse, apply now and let's shape the future of bridal together!