Director, Quality Assurance & Strategy

We are hiring a Director of Quality Management & Strategy to lead our Quality team. This role reports to the Head of Operations and takes Away further by owning the strategic roadmap to optimize our global supply chain. We are looking for a strategic cross-functional partner who can advocate for Quality throughout the organization while prioritizing cost optimization and the post-purchase customer experience. In this role, you will architect the digital infrastructure and customer DIY solutions that define the next era of Away. What you'll do as the Director of Quality Management & Strategy • Supply Chain Transformation & AI Ownership - You'll own the evolution of Quality at Away, building a proactive, tech-enabled model that optimizes the entire global supply chain - You'll identify and champion solutions that bridge the gap between our US-based design vision and Asia-based manufacturing reality - You'll enable supply chain systems that provide real-time visibility into factory performance, ensuring data drives our manufacturing decisions and are proactive vs reactive • Engineering Innovation & Tooling Strategy - You'll lead global manufacturing innovation, driving the strategy for equipment, tooling, and retooling with an uncompromising eye on innovation and newness - You'll design and govern technical excellence standards for our global factory partners, ensuring manufacturing infrastructure is capable of executing Away's complex product roadmap - You'll manage the routine testing program, serving as the primary escalation point for quality issues and partnering with US and Asia-based leadership on supplier strategy - You'll modernize manufacturing capabilities by identifying where manual processes create quality bottlenecks, advocating for targeted automation or tooling upgrades that improve precision and scalability - You'll partner with global Product Development leadership to direct supplier engagements, ensuring quality benchmarks are met from early-stage development through mass production • Cost Optimization & Value Engineering - You'll architect and execute a comprehensive 'Cost of Quality' roadmap, leveraging value engineering and predictive testing to optimize the total cost of ownership and drive measurable margin improvements - You'll revolutionize the Post-Purchase Ecosystem by developing DIY kits and modular product designs that lower return rates, improve customer experience, and reduce environmental impact - You'll actively seek out product quality improvements to reduce product-related warranty claims, improving repairability of existing and upcoming products, and improving overall customer experience related to product quality - You'll lead the integration of AI-driven analytics into the product lifecycle, transforming post-purchase data into automated feedback loops that inform future product design and sourcing strategies Who you are • You have a minimum of 10 years of experience in Quality leadership with a deep technical background in engineering, with a proven track record of scaling global QMS and modernizing them through technology and data-led innovation • You possess deep expertise in raw materials and finished goods engineering, with an understanding of the "how" of equipment tooling and retooling • You have the leadership presence and no-ego collaborative style required to advocate for quality standards across the organization • You are passionate about cost optimization and value engineering, constantly keeping an eye on ways to reduce warranty claims that improve the customer experience • You are autonomous and capable of pivoting global strategies or halting production in response to quality risks, ensuring brand integrity is never compromised for the sake of speed • You are an expert at identifying root-cause trends and prioritizing topics that move the needle • You are a strong communicator who can drive accountability and partnership across diverse global teams • You're creative and innovative; you love to build great new things that are fresh and unique while staying on brand • You're agile, and motivated by a fast-paced and ever changing environment • You're passionate about transforming travel for all (but that's a given!) Excited to join the team, but not sure you meet all of the qualifications? Please apply, we'd still love to hear from you. What We Offer Our total rewards are inclusive of both compensation and benefits. What we offer within a salary range is dependent on a number of factors, including scope and qualifications for the role, skillset, and balancing internal equity relative to other Away employees. Salary and benefit offerings are reviewed during phone screenings to ensure alignment. • Compensation: $150,000-$165,000 annually • This role is eligible to participate in Away's Annual Company Performance Incentive Bonus Plan, the terms of which are determined at the discretion of the company • Equity Grant: commensurate with level determined at the discretion of the company • Benefits Overview: - Take care of yourself and your family through our health insurance offerings - Invest in your future by participating in our 401(k) (with a company match!) - Find balance through our many paid time off programs (vacation, wellbeing, holidays, summer Fridays, and compassion leave - just to name a few!) - Build your travel uniform through discount codes, product stipends, and giveaways - Give back through company-sponsored volunteer and charitable opportunities How We Work This is an office-based position that works from our Soho, NYC office four days a week. Our working hours are 9am-6pm et, but we embrace a common-sense approach to flexibility in the workplace. It's about being present, engaged, and balancing work with real-life needs.