Plant Quality Specialist

Varsity Spirit; Brookfield (MO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Care Benefits

HSA Employer Contribution / FSA

Wellbeing Program

401(k) plan with company matching

Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short‑yTD

Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays

Employee Perks: discounts on apparel/e

Job summary

Varsity Spirit, a Varsity Brands company, is seeking a Plant Quality Specialist to protect product quality and brand standards in our Brookfield, MO facility. You will inspect incoming fabrics, trims, and apparel, classify defects, and coordinate with suppliers and internal teams to drive improvements.

This role emphasizes data-driven quality control, adherence to AQL standards, and cross-functional collaboration within operations and quality teams to ensure on-time shipping of high-quality

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of quality inspection methods and defect identification.
• Knowledge of AQL sampling procedures.
• Ability to interpret product specifications, tech packs, and quality standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with operations and quality teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and quality reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform quality control inspections of incoming fabrics, trims, and other materials using established inspection protocols and AQL sampling.
• Inspect products for defects related to construction, materials, labeling, packaging, color consistency, and overall workmanship.
• Verify SKU accuracy, quantities, and product specifications during receiving inspections.
• Document inspection findings, classify defects, and determine disposition of goods (release, hold, rework, or reject).
• Ensure timely inspection and clearance of goods to support efficient operations.
• Identify recurring quality issues and communicate findings to sourcing and quality teams.
• Provide feedback to suppliers and internal teams to drive continuous quality improvement.
• Track vendor and internal quality trends and upscale concerns related to performance.
• Coordinate and schedule pre-shipment or in-process inspections at manufacturing facilities through approved third-party inspection service providers.
• Ensure inspection requests are submitted according to production timelines.
• Maintain accurate inspection records and quality documentation.
• Track and report quality metrics including defect rates and inspection outcomes.
• Verify that incoming products comply with labeling, packaging, and regulatory requirements.
• Instill quality standards among team to promote ongoing expectation of best-in-class quality

Skills

Quality inspection methods

AQL sampling

Product specifications

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel

Job description

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE DRIVING FORCE IN SPIRIT ACROSS CHEER, DANCE, BAND AND YEARBOOKFor over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team, performing arts and yearbook. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000+ employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, competitions, and yearbook, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE DRIVING FORCE IN SPIRIT ACROSS CHEER, DANCE, BAND AND YEARBOOKFor over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team, performing arts and yearbook. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000+ employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, competitions, and yearbook, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

At Varsity Spirit, the safety and wellbeing of the young people we serve is of the utmost importance. Since our inception 50 years ago, we have been – and remain – steadfastly committed to doing our part to create a safe and positive environment for our participants’ physical, emotional, and social development, and promoting an environment free from abuse and misconduct. Varsity has a zero tolerance for abuse in its programs, events, and associated business activities. Varsity is committed to reporting all suspicions, allegations, and incidents of abuse in full accordance with local laws and reporting requirements. Learn more at Our Commitment to Safety - Varsity.com.

WORK TYPE:

On Site

WORK LOCATION:

108 Stanbury Industrial Drive, Brookfield, MO

Please note: This position does not offer relocation assistance. Candidates must be able to work from the designated location without company-sponsored relocation

WORK HOURS:

M-F, 7:30am - 4:30pm

How You Will Make An Impact

The Plant Quality Specialist is responsible for protecting product quality and brand standards by managing quality inspections and product investigations within the plant. This role supports the company’s quality assurance program by inspecting incoming merchandise and manufactured goods to ensure products meet established specifications and regulatory requirements.

This position plays a critical role in preventing defective merchandise from entering inventory or shipping to customers, ensuring compliance with company quality standards, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.

What You Will Do

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Perform quality control inspections of incoming fabrics, trims, and other materials using established inspection protocols and AQL sampling methodologies; perform quality control inspections of uniforms and apparel during and at the conclusion of manufacturing.
• Inspect products for defects related to construction, materials, labeling, packaging, color consistency, and overall workmanship.
• Verify SKU accuracy, quantities, and product specifications during receiving inspections.
• Document inspection findings, classify defects, and determine disposition of goods (release, hold, rework, or reject).
• Ensure timely inspection and clearance of goods to support efficient operations.
• Identify recurring quality issues and communicate findings to sourcing and quality teams.
• Provide feedback to suppliers and internal teams to drive continuous quality improvement.
• Track vendor and internal quality trends and upscale concerns related to performance.
• Coordinate and schedule pre-shipment or in-process inspections at manufacturing facilities through approved third-party inspection service providers.
• Ensure inspection requests are submitted according to production timelines.
• Maintain accurate inspection records and quality documentation.
• Track and report quality metrics including defect rates and inspection outcomes.
• Verify that incoming products comply with labeling, packaging, and regulatory requirements.
• Instill quality standards among team to promote ongoing expectation of best-in-class quality

Qualifications

KNOWLEGE/SKILLS/ABILITES

• Strong understanding of quality inspection methods and defect identification
• Knowledge of AQL sampling procedures
• Ability to interpret product specifications, tech packs, and quality standards
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work cross-functionally with operations and quality teams
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and quality reporting tools

Education/Experience

• 2+ years of experience in quality control, product inspection, or plant operations.
• Experience inspecting apparel, textiles, or consumer goods strongly preferred.
• Experience working with AQL inspection standards preferred.
• Experience coordinating with third-party inspection agencies is a plus.
• Experience influencing cross functional stakeholders and external brand partners at a senior level.

Physical Demands and/or Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential fun

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

Our Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Varsity Brands Ownership Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Access to Financial Coaching and member-owned Credit Union
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Eligibility for company-sponsored benefits is determined by scheduled work hours, and the terms of the applicable benefit plans. Benefit offerings and eligibility requirements may vary by position and are subject to change in accordance with plan documents and applicable law.

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.