Quality Manager
Reports To: Director of Product Type: Exempt
Department: Product Location: Chico, CA (required)
Direct Reports: None
What You'll Do
Champion Our Mission & Values
- Be an advocate for Klean Kanteen's mission in every interaction with customers, partners, and teammates.
- Actively support and embody Klean Kanteen values of Respect, Responsibility, and Fun.
- Foster a culture of transparency with the team, retail partners, suppliers, and consumers.
- Follow and continuously improve departmental processes and procedures.
- Measure and monitor progress against quality objectives and performance targets.
Quality Management System
- Develop and implement Klean Kanteen's quality plan in alignment with strategic, sustainability, and operational goals.
- Lead the corrective action & preventive action (CAPA) process, including root cause analysis, documentation, and solution implementation.
- Oversee the outgoing quality control plan; identify opportunities for improvement and drive corrective initiatives.
- Act as the primary contact for customer quality evaluations and ensure execution of required documentation and corrective actions.
- Collaborate with Customer Service to capture product feedback and returns data, and provide investigative reporting to stakeholders.
- Execute supplier quality audits and partner with Sourcing to drive continuous supply chain improvement.
Quality Planning & Engineering
- Represent Quality in new product development, collaborating with R&D and Product teams to establish quality checkpoints.
- Manage testing of all new products and components to ensure compliance with Klean Kanteen performance and quality standards.
- Evaluate proposed materials and designs against Klean Kanteen's mission and environmental, health, and safety standards.
- Develop and maintain testing plans and procedures, coordinating with project managers and the product team.
- Visit production facilities to review manufacturing processes and establish appropriate testing methods.
Quality Control
- Oversee the international QC program to ensure all products and packaging meet company standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee QC functions at headquarters (including Co-Brand production), overseas factories, sub-contractors, and international distribution centers.
- Lead product issue investigations, reporting, and corrective actions to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Review supplier production reports and assess performance against Klean Kanteen standards.
- Manage QC data and documentation; prepare and approve deviation reports as needed.
Regulatory Compliance
- Create and manage a system for regulatory review of packaging, labeling, and product materials across all global distribution markets.
- Partner with independent labs for regulatory performance and material-based testing of new and existing products.
- Serve as the technical representative for global regulatory standards applicable to company products and maintain archives of critical company documents.
- Proactively identify regulatory risks and drive continuous improvement to maintain compliance.
Document Control
- Manage document control processes for the review, revision, distribution, and retrieval of company and product information.
- Champion cross-department communication to ensure all stakeholders are informed of document and process changes.
- Communicate quality metrics effectively across all levels of the organization.
Who You Are
- Quality Champion: You believe quality is everyone's job, and you build systems and culture that make it real.
- Systems Thinker: You design processes that scale globally and catch problems before they reach customers.
- Collaborative Leader: You work across every department and lead with influence, not just authority.
- Detail Oriented: You hold yourself and your team to a high standard of accuracy and documentation.
- Mission-Aligned: You care about sustainability and take pride in building products people can trust.
- Calm Under Pressure: When issues arise, you lead investigations with clarity and move quickly to solutions.
What You Bring
Knowledge & Skills
- Proven expertise in quality management systems, CAPA processes, and regulatory compliance.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to confront tough issues and build buy-in for solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to identify and develop effective, efficient systems to support quality objectives.
- Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; comfortable working cross-functionally at all levels.
- Ongoing commitment to technical learning and staying current with global regulatory standards.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Quality Assurance, Engineering, or related discipline.
Experience
- 4-5 years of experience in quality management (required).
- Experience managing domestic and international quality teams (preferred).
- Experience with consumer products, manufacturing, and global regulatory compliance (preferred).
- Proficiency with software programs including Microsoft Excel/Adobe Pro (required)
Tools You'll Use
- Desktop PC/laptop, standard office equipment.
- Precision measurement tools and tabletop product testing equipment.
- Document control and quality management systems.
Work Environment
- Based onsite in Chico, CA - candidates must reside in Chico or the surrounding area.
- Standard office environment with regular computer use.
- Occasional travel to domestic and international production facilities.
- Requires sitting for extended periods and occasional bending and reaching.
Why You'll Love Working at Klean
- Join a passionate, purpose-driven company making a real impact on the planet.
- Be part of a workplace culture that values Respect, Responsibility, and Fun - with a whole lot of heart.
- Work in a collaborative, transparent environment where your ideas are valued.
- Lead a team that takes pride in protecting the integrity of a brand they believe in.
- Help spread the Klean Kanteen movement worldwide!
