Quality Manager

Job Title: Quality Manager

Department: Production/Quality
 Reports To: Director of Manufacturing 
 FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Summary

The Quality Manager is responsible for ensuring Design Foundry’s products meet internal standards and exceed customer expectations. This role oversees final inspection, manages quality audits, and leads continuous quality improvement initiatives across all departments. The Quality Manager will analyze returns and customer feedback data, create actionable quality improvement plans, and partner with operations to drive accountability for results. This position requires strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as the ability to influence cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Inspection & Quality Control

• Lead and manage the final inspection process, ensuring all finished goods meet established quality standards prior to shipment.
• Oversee Go/No Go photo standards, ensuring consistency, documentation accuracy, and ongoing training for inspection personnel.
• Schedule, document, and analyze open carton audits; identify trends, generate reports, and implement corrective actions with department leaders.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication between inspection, production, and shipping teams to ensure issues are resolved before product leaves the facility.
• Partner with Sewing Operations Management in overseeing sewing quality initiatives and expectations

Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Review and analyze returns data and customer star rating/commentary, identifying root causes and trends.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans to address recurring quality issues and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Partner with department leaders to drive accountability and track progress toward quality goals.
• Visit distribution centers and customer locations to identify, respond to, and resolve product quality issues.
• Lead continuous quality improvement initiatives, leveraging Lean principles and data-driven insights to prevent defects and improve overall product quality.

Strategy & Leadership

• Create and execute a Quality Action Strategy that aligns with company objectives and customer expectations.
• Develop and maintain quality metrics dashboards and reports to measure performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with the Product Development and senior leadership to develop and enforce standards, procedures, and best practices throughout the organization.
• Support quality training and education for leads, inspectors, and production associates.

Core Values in Action

• We Are Family: Builds trust and collaboration across departments; works side by side with teams to solve problems, not assign blame.
• We Own It: Takes responsibility for product outcomes; uses data and firsthand observation to drive improvements.
• We Give Our All: Digs into the details, visits customer sites, and actively looks for ways to enhance product and process quality.
• We Have Fun: Approaches challenges with a positive attitude, celebrates wins, and inspires others to take pride in delivering exceptional craftsmanship.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing Management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered for the right candidate. 
• 5 years of experience in quality or operations management, ideally within furniture, upholstery, or manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience leading processes, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and act on data from returns, customer reviews, and audit findings.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills; ability to partner effectively across production, development, and customer teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, data reporting tools, and quality management systems.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement principles.

Metrics of Success

• Reduction in return rate and defect frequency
• Improvement in customer satisfaction/star ratings
• Timely completion of open carton audits and corrective actions
• Adherence to Go/No Go photo standards
• Increased accountability and engagement across production departments