Quality Assurance Technician - Apparel

Meijer Inc.; Gaylord (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meijer Rewards

Weekly pay

Scheduling flexibility

Paid parental leave

Paid education assistance

Team member discount

Development programs for advancement

Job summary

Meijer seeks a quality assurance specialist to support the apparel and softlines QA team, ensuring products meet Meijer's quality standards and regulatory requirements. You'll collaborate with design, labs, and vendors to implement testing protocols and corrective actions.

You will work with Technical Designers to uphold garment construction standards, maintain the QA management system, and help evaluate post-launch product performance using returns data.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel and Textile Technology or Design.
• 3 years of related experience in apparel quality assurance at the retail level.
• Demonstrated leadership and cross-functional collaboration with internal and external teams.
• Strong knowledge of apparel quality management systems.
• Working knowledge of Acceptable Quality Level standards.
• Familiarity with garment construction standards for knits and wovens.
• Experience with overseas agents, indirect vendors and manufacturers.
• Proactive issue recognition to protect merchandise quality.
• Ability to drive new processes and influence others in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong organizational skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint; PLM experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Supports the QA team in maintaining processes, infrastructure, and training programs for Meijer Own Brand apparel and softlines, ensuring quality and safety.
• Provides apparel technical support to the quality team responsible for Softlines.
• Develops product standards for apparel and softlines tech packs.
• Creates and maintains testing protocols for apparel and softlines products.
• Coordinates with testing labs and manufacturers to evaluate products per Meijer quality standards.
• Reviews apparel testing failures and implements corrective actions.
• Collaborates with Technical Designers to maintain garment construction standards.
• Maintains QAMS activities including vendor scorecard and qualification program.
• Supports lab selection and vendor/manufacturer evaluation.
• Communicates with vendors and overseas agents to support apparel quality initiatives.

Job description

As a family company, we serve people and communities. When you work at Meijer, you’re provided with career and community opportunities centered around leadership, personal growth and development. Consider joining our family – take care of your career and your community!

• Meijer Rewards
• Weekly pay
• Scheduling flexibility
• Paid parental leave
• Paid education assistance
• Team member discount
• Development programs for advancement and career growth

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Supports the QA team in maintaining processes, infrastructure, and training programs that help ensure Meijer Own Brand apparel and softlines products meet customer expectations for quality and safety throughout development and production, minimizing issues, returns, and recalls.
• Provides apparel technical support to the quality team responsible for Softlines.
• Supports the development of product standards for apparel and softlines tech packs.
• Supports the creation and ongoing maintenance of testing protocols for apparel and softlines products.
• Partners with the Apparel Regulatory Specialist to ensure regulatory requirements are accurately incorporated into testing protocols and tech packs.
• Coordinates with testing labs and manufacturers to ensure products are evaluated in accordance with Meijer quality standards.
• Reviews apparel testing failures and supports the QA team in implementing appropriate corrective actions.
• Collaborates with Technical Designers to help maintain garment construction standards.
• Provides administrative and operational support for Meijer’s quality management system for apparel and softlines, including activities related to the vendor scorecard and qualification program.
• Supports lab selection processes and assists with activities related to vendor and manufacturer evaluation.
• Communicates with Meijer team members, vendors, and overseas agents to support apparel quality initiatives and requirements.
• Assists in developing and implementing post-launch product evaluation strategies, including the review of customer return data, complaint data, and in-store assessments.
• Executes directives from the QA Manager that support the strategic direction of the business.

This job profile is not meant to be all inclusive of the responsibilities of this position; may perform other duties as assigned or required.

What You Bring With You (Qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree, with a preference for a degree in Apparel and Textile Technology or Design.
• 3 years of related experience in apparel quality assurance at the retail level.
• Demonstrated leadership and cross-functional collaboration with internal and external teams.
• Strong knowledge of apparel quality management systems
• Working knowledge of Acceptable Quality Level standards
• Familiarity with garment construction standards and approaches for a variety of fabrics including cut & sew knits, sweater knits and wovens
• Experience working with overseas agents, indirect vendors and manufacturers.
• Ability to proactively recognize and address potential issues which could impact merchandise quality
• Positive individual who thrives on building new processes and influencing others in a dynamic, fast paced environment
• Able to generate accurate work product quickly as requested and influence others to do the same
• Ability to work across all divisions and levels of the organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, SharePoint
• Experience working with PLM systems a plus
• Proven ability to independently problem solve, analyze and assess

We opened our doors more than 90 years ago with the goal of helping people provide for themselves and their family. Today we’re a multi-billion dollar retailer with more than 70,000 employees across six states. Our Midwest geography includes corporate offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan, plus manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and over 270 stores across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Meijer is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

We are committed to treating all persons with dignity and respect.

Meijer's policy is to not discriminate because of any applicant or team member's race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, age, physical or mental disability, uniformed service or veteran status, or any other lawfully-protected classification.