This job has expired, please see additional jobs below
Senior Director, Quality Assurance
Carter's
New York, NY, United States
Job Details - this job has expired, please see similar jobs below
Job Description
Carter's, Inc. is the largest branded marketer in the United States and Canada of apparel and related products exclusively for babies and young children. The Company owns the Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh brands, two of the most recognized brands in the marketplace. These brands are sold in leading department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers domestically and internationally. They are also sold through nearly 1,000 Company-operated stores in the United States and Canada and on-line at www.carters.com, www.oshkosh.com, and www.cartersoshkosh.ca. The Company's Just One You, Precious Firsts, and Genuine Kids brands are available at Target, its Child of Mine brand is available at Walmart, and its Simple Joys brand is available on Amazon.com. The Company also owns Skip Hop, a global lifestyle brand for families with young children. Carter's is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. If you dream of working with innovative colleagues who support and inspire you, Count on Carter's.
The Senior Director of Quality Assurance will manage the quality function for an established International Brand with significant forecasted growth. This role is responsible for directing high and consistent quality of production while making certain that all compliance and safety standards are achieved. Additionally, the Sr. Director of Quality Assurance will be responsible for:
• Being company authority on compliance and safety requirements for Skip Hop product categories
• Developing and enforcing good automated manufacturing practice systems;
• Validating processes;
• Providing documentation;
• Building team talent and managing Quality staff development in China and New York.
• Elevating factory capability (through use of audits and KPI development and tracking
• Nurturing and maintaining a philosophy of safety and compliance (safety audits)
• Identifying opportunities to take cost out of the process without increasing risk (certification/ accreditation)
Additional responsibilities:
• Ensures regulatory and performance compliance with global testing standards for Skip Hop product in markets of distribution including US, Canada, UK, Mainland Europe, China and Japan
◦ Ensures compliance with evolving GB standards and CCC and CIQ requirements in China
◦ Researches and implements (if warranted) WEEE and Green Dot compliance in EU
◦ Reduces inefficiencies in the department by organizing and automating when possible
◦ Collaborates with CRI Atlanta and Hong Kong offices to leverage QA/QC best practices
◦ Manages labeling function
• Develops quality assurance practices and policies across New York and China offices, to cover products from development through delivery and replenishment.
◦ Includes hazard analysis; identifying critical control points and preventive measures; establishing critical limits, corrective actions, and verification procedures; monitoring inventories.
• Sets product quality standards that can be communicated internally and to our vendors through our vendor manual
◦ Standards address: Legal requirements, labeling requirements, Quality and consumer use/abuse expectations (with Product Development dept.)
◦ Standards cover: feeding products, softgoods, toys and home gear
• Maintains and organizes product test reports and certification library.
• Reports to Vice President of Operations and Finance while managing QA/QC teams
◦ Hires, trains and manages QA and QC staff in New York and China office, working closely with General Manager of China
◦ Meets QA financial objectives by estimating requirements; preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.
◦ Writes and updates QA procedures for New York and China offices
• Coordinates data-gathering and analysis of Customer Service, Sales and Quality Control to identify potential issues at an early stage, and to ensure Vendor quality performance.
• Prepares quality documentation and reports by collecting, analyzing and summarizing information and trends including failed processes, stability studies, recalls, corrective actions.
• Spearheads communication with legal representatives and regulatory bodies as needed if safety issues arise.
• Liaises with Carter's legal team on product liability issues; manages quality investigations and recalls if needed
• Manages relationships with testing labs
◦ Negotiates with labs for added services, independently or alongside Carter's
◦ Manages annual testing spend
◦ Ensures testing turnaround times support product development leadtimes
• Coordinates Consumer Affairs for Skip Hop product with CRI Consumer Affairs team
◦ Addresses Warranty concerns for US and International businesses; develops policies on product/parts support after product discontinuation
◦ Instructs Customer Service and Consumer Affairs of developing compliance and regulatory changes; solicits feedback to incorporate in future development and activities
◦ Brings together data below to be analyzed and actionable, and feed through to rest of organization as needed:
# Consumer contacts (from CRI and Skip Hop)
# Retailer and Distributor feedback
# Amazon reviews
# Ecommerce reviews (from CRI)
• Develops and manages Traceability program for Vendors and subcontractors, covering both finished goods and parts/materials.
• Ensures that the companys Consumer Product Registration program is managed and maintained in a timely manner.
• Manages stuffed article registration program for Vendors and acquires/maintains US Importer licenses as needed.
• Manages WERC registration of all products with batteries/electronics.
• Addresses special testing and certification needs as they arise from particular retailers and distributors.
• Remains current with regulatory requirements by studying trends in and developments in quality management; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; communicating with Carters QA.
• Will manage at least 2 direct reports and potentially manage direct reports in China
• Understands and supports the Companys goals and objectives, and makes certain that his/her actions and decisions are consistent with them.
• Keeps his/her superior informed of all matters of importance and particularly those instances where deviations from planned results are likely to occur.
• Performs other responsibilities and duties as assigned by his/her superior.
Experience and Skills
• Experience leading a QA team
• Experience working with office and factories in Asia
• Experience with China testing standards (GB, CCC, CIQ)
• Experience with CA Prop 65 and CHCC state reporting
• Experience working with (or at) accredited third party testing labs
• Excellent Excel skills required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• 10+ years experience in Quality Assurance, handling both juvenile softlines and hardlines
• Experience with childrens products preferred
• Engineering degree preferred
Carters is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.