Quality Control Specialist

Quince; Santa Fe Springs (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Quince is seeking an Embroidery Quality Control Specialist to oversee embroidery work across pre-production, receive, and returns at third‑party decorators. You will establish standards, review proofs, and ensure perfect customer-quality output.

This on-site role is based in Santa Fe Springs, CA, with responsibilities spanning inspections, documentation, and collaboration with the operations team to drive continuous quality improvement.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in embroidery production, quality control, or decoration operations.
• Proficiency with embroidery software for file review and digitizing verification.
• Able to set and enforce quality standards and manage vendor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Review art proofs and sew-out samples for placement, sizing, color, stitch quality, and trademarks; approve or reject with notes.
• Manage third-party decorators to establish quality standards and inspect production runs.
• Perform final shipping inspections for accuracy and conformance; rework or discard non-conforming items.

Skills

Embroidery production

Quality control

Vendor management

Documentation

Tools

Wilcom

Tajima

Hatch

Cadence

Printavo

Google Sheets

Photography records

Job description

ABOUT QUINCE

Quince is a destination for builders, creators, innovators, and operators who want to come together and challenge the status quo. Our mission is simple: make really high quality essentials for really low prices, fairly and sustainably. We deliver on that mission through a unique manufacturer-to-consumer (M2C) model eliminating the layers of traditional retail that add cost and result in consumers paying more than they need to. We find, build relationships with, and work directly with the manufacturing partners behind some of the world’s finest products. From there, our teams design smart, efficient operational processes and build and deploy proprietary technology, AI, and analytics to help us scale fast. What began with a small assortment of elevated basics has quickly grown into a cross-category brand spanning apparel, accessories, home goods, and more. Today, tens of millions of people across a growing number of countries come – and return – to Quince because they trust us to deliver.

OUR CULTURE

• We dream big and chase the hard problems others shy away from. Rejecting long-held assumptions is part of our company’s DNA. Where conventional wisdom says you have to choose – soft or durable, speed or rigor, quality or price – we ask why that trade-off has to exist in the first place.
• Our pace is fast and the bar is high because our customers expect a lot from us and we refuse to let them down. We believe the best results come from challenging ourselves, learning from one another, and building on each other’s strengths.
• Here, responsibility is not determined by role, tenure, or seniority. Every team member - no matter their level - has the opportunity to drive our business and shape our trajectory.

If you’re someone who likes to imagine new possibilities and build better systems rather than plug-in to outdated ones, Quince is the place for you.

THE ROLE

Embroidery Quality Control Specialist

Reporting directly to the Quality Assurance Manager, the Embroidery Quality Control Specialist oversees embroidery decoration quality across three critical touchpoints: pre-production approval, inventory receive, and handling overage returns at third-party decorator operations, and final shipping verification. Your job is to catch defects before they leave the building, build quality standards with our external decorator partners, and ensure every customer receives perfect work. This is a high-accountability role for someone who combines technical embroidery knowledge with vendor management skills and an obsession with getting it right.

This is a fully on-site role, Monday through Friday during regular business hours at our facility in Santa Fe Springs, CA.

Responsibilities

• Own pre-production approval — review art proofs from 3P decorators and assess sew-out samples against order specifications (placement, sizing, color match, stitch quality, trademark symbols); approve or reject with detailed written notes before production begins.
• Manage third-party decorator relationships — establish quality standards with our 3P decorators, and other partners; conduct inspections during production runs and review finished samples before shipment.
• Perform final shipping inspections — visually and tactilely inspect all decorated items for loose threads, puckering, seam integrity, color accuracy, and placement precision; pull non-conforming work and route to rework or disposal.
• Track and communicate quality metrics — maintain detailed records of all approvals, rejections, and rework; document defect trends by decorator and order type; report monthly on quality performance and elevate issues to Operations Manager.
• Conduct daily quality audits with 3P decorators — review performance data, identify root causes of defects, and collaborate on corrective action plans to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain complete audit trail — document all quality decisions in Cadence, maintain photographic records of pre-pro approvals, and organize digital quality files for compliance and dispute resolution.
• Support order management — coordinate closely with Order Management Coordinator on rush orders, approval timeline changes, and delivery commitment risks driven by quality issues.

Qualifications

Required

• 2+ years of experience in embroidery production, quality control, or decoration operations with hands-on knowledge of embroidery standards (stitch quality, density, color accuracy, placement)
• Proficiency with embroidery software (Wilcom, Tajima, Hatch, or similar) for file review and digitizing verification.
• Demonstrated ability to set and enforce quality standards; experience managing vendor or decorator relationships a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable drafting detailed approval/rejection notes and briefing management on quality trends.
• Proficient with Cadence, Printavo, Google Sheets, and photography documentation systems.
• Meticulous attention to detail; calm under pressure; solutions-oriented mindset.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and perform detailed visual inspections of garments and decorated products

Preferred

• 5+ years in embroidery/decoration quality or production leadership.
• Experience with heat transfer, sew-on labels, or screen printing as additional decoration types.
• Familiarity with Madera thread colors and color-matching workflows; certification in Quality Assurance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This is a fully on-site role, present Monday through Friday during shift hours.
• Ability to stand and walk the production floor for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Lifting up to 40 pounds — moving garment boxes, supplies, and equipment.
• Ability to work in a production environment with machinery noise, ink, and chemical exposure (PPE provided).

Pay: $24/hr with overtime opportunities available.

All posted ranges are reflective of base salary and may vary depending upon experience level and location. Bonus and equity may also be provided for eligible roles.

Pay Range: $24 USD - $24 USD

WHY QUINCE?

Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY

Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing this accommodation form. We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, or local laws.