Job Description
Summary: Manage all aspects of the QA department, including personnel, fabric inspections, lab testing, domestic production, factory inline audits, problem solving, overseas review support, and QC scheduling. Travel overseas as needed and with approval from the QA Director. Support the BQS (Barco Quality System) implementation by following up on requirements and recommending updates or improvements. Maintain accurate records for fabric inspections, color lot shade approvals, and inline and final audit reports for overseas and domestic production. Assist with inspection decisions for all purchase orders and styles arriving at Barco's Gardena distribution center from local contractors and overseas factories. Review pre-alerts as shared by Production, Shipping, and Receiving to plan daily workloads, prepare for rush requests, and manage priorities. Coordinate with Customer Service and Sales to review quality issues, keep the QA Director informed, and ensure proper follow-up. Partner with the QA NPDL (New product development launches) lead to stay informed of changes or revisions to tech packs and styles.

This role manages, supports, and follows up on QA activities to ensure products meet tech pack requirements and Barco standards. Responsibilities include visits to local contractors, coordinated with Production, and reporting issues to the appropriate teams for follow-up with contractors or factories.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Supervise all QA staff, including temporary employees assigned to Barco's distribution center, and manage workloads, results, recordkeeping, and vendor performance data entry/reporting.
• Follow established Barco QA procedures, protocols, and policies outlined in the BQS for overseas factories and local contractors.
• Ensure Barco Uniform standards are met by vendors, factories, contractors, and internal teams.
• Build quality-control relationships with factories and develop processes that ensure products meet QC requirements for shipment to Barco Uniform divisions and customers.
• Coordinate with the QA NPDL lead to stay informed of approved samples, updated tech packs for rolling styles, new fabrics and trims, and related details so the inspection team is prepared when each style or purchase order arrives at the distribution center.
• Maintain inline and final audit reports, emails from overseas QC teams, and related style or purchase order information in the QA shared drive.
• Investigate quality issues, identify root causes, recommend corrective measures to the QA Corporate Director, and follow up with the overseas QA team, vendor, or factory involved.
• Ensure quality objectives and commitments are communicated to and met by local contractors to comply with Barco's standard operating procedures and technical data sheets
• Review and maintain complete inspection reports and records.
• Ensure rejection sheets and vendor chargebacks are issued on time after proper notification to the factory or vendor when corrective action or chargeback applies, following the Charge Back SOP.
• Advise production facilities on corrective measures to prevent recurring quality issues.
• Implement and manage processes to achieve quality-control compliance and support Direct-to-Stock practices for Barco Uniform finished goods.
• Mentor QC personnel and provide performance feedback as needed to support team productivity.
• Escalate all QA failures or concerns to the QA Director. If the QA Director is unavailable or traveling, contact the VP of Supply Chain or SVP of Supply Chain and Operations. Do not communicate directly with Sales, Customer Service, or other departments unless directed.
• Implement procedures for all 3rd party fabric and garment testing.
• Assist with the implementation and management of overseas QC staff strategies.

Competency:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to work effectively with diverse teams and cultural backgrounds. The role requires strong organizational skills, sound decision-making based on research and discussion, and the ability to work under pressure, meet strict timelines, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. The individual must be able to write routine reports and correspondence and interpret instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Experience and Skills
Education/Experience:

College degree or equivalent work experience in textiles, patterning, apparel manufacturing, or related experience. Five or more years of experience in pattern or garment engineering is required. Textile development experience is required; factory experience is preferred.

Language Ability:

English fluency is required. A secondary language such as Spanish, Korean, Chinese, or Vietnamese is preferred. The individual must be able to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required to interact effectively with various levels of management, employees, local contractors, and production personnel regarding work activities, QC reports, and quality-improvement recommendations.

Computer Skills:

Excellent technical skills are required, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel. Knowledge of Full Circle and/or Inspectorio is highly desirable.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Manage one warehouse QA lead, four or more permanent or temporary QA receiving inspectors, and four QLs (in-country QC's). Conduct regular check-ins throughout the day to monitor issues and provide support.

Responsible for the overall management, coordination, and evaluation of the unit, including review and approval of final reports. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold (non-weather) and extreme heat (non-weather). The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The position may require working more than 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week, especially during peak activity periods. Evening or weekend meetings may be required. The position may require domestic travel on short notice by commercial transportation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, and visual acuity for analyzing samples and color. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

Job Benefits
Annual Salary range: 110,000 - 135,000. Final compensation is dependent on skill level, experience, and other factors.

Competitive Medical, Dental and Vision contributions

401k with 3% employer match

Employee Wellness Program

Paid vacation and holidays

Additional floating holidays to use when you want

Sick time

Employee sponsored life insurance

Employee Discounts

Employee Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistant Program

Employee Recognition Activities

Medical FSA, Dependent Care FSA, Additional Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, & Hospital Indemnity plans