Apparel Product Quality Specialist

About the role

Meijer is looking for an Apparel Product Quality Specialist to establish and advance quality assurance processes for its Own Brand Softlines. The role builds QA infrastructure, ensures product integrity and works with Product Development, Technical Design, Sourcing, Merchandising, Compliance and global vendor partners so that all Own Brand products meet Meijer's standards for quality, safety and performance. The position follows a hybrid schedule: Monday to Wednesday in the Grand Rapids, Michigan office and Thursday to Friday remote.

Key responsibilities

• Build and execute the foundational QA processes, infrastructure, technical standards and training for the Own Brand Apparel Quality Program
• Develop and maintain product requirements and construction standards for general wearing apparel
• Create and refine testing protocols aligned with apparel industry best practices, in partnership with the Apparel Compliance Specialist
• Coordinate with testing labs and vendors so products are tested and inspected per Meijer protocols
• Review testing and inspection failures, run root-cause analysis and recommend corrective actions
• Act as business lead for apparel QA best practices and work with overseas agents, vendors and manufacturers to resolve production issues
• Support vendor qualification, the vendor scorecard and the quality management system, and help select approved labs
• Communicate with internal teams, stores, vendors, labs and overseas agents on quality topics and product investigations
• Lead post-launch product evaluation, including customer returns, complaints and in-store reviews, and identify quality risks early
• Contribute to scalable QA processes and tools, and give technical guidance to cross-functional partners

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree, with a preference for Apparel and Textile Technology and Quality Assurance
• 7 years of direct apparel quality assurance experience in a retail or private-label environment, with strong leadership in quality initiatives and cross-functional collaboration preferred
• At least 3 years of experience guiding or leading quality functions or initiatives
• Experience partnering with overseas agents, indirect vendors and global manufacturers
• Professional quality certifications such as ASQ CQE, CRE or Lean Six Sigma preferred

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of apparel quality management systems and preventive QA practices
• Working knowledge of AQL standards in apparel
• Solid understanding of garment construction for cut-and-sew knits, sweater knits, wovens, denim and related materials
• Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and SharePoint; PLM experience is a plus

What we offer

• Weekly pay and scheduling flexibility
• Paid parental leave and paid education assistance
• Team member discount and development programs for advancement