Your ImpactThe Sr Mgr-Quality Assurance (QA) Engineering leads Lowe's efforts to ensure the highest standards of product quality across Private Brands and select National Brands. This role provides strategic direction to QA Engineering teams supporting new product introductions, testing programs, and compliance governance while driving continuous improvement in processes, performance, and supplier quality.
In close partnership with Global QA, Merchandising, internal labs, third-party testing partners, and vendors, the Senior Manager oversees QA programs that reduce regulatory and safety risks, ensure compliance, and validate product performance against customer expectations. The role is also responsible for optimizing internal and external testing resources, strengthening vendor accountability, and building collaborative relationships to support shared quality objectives.
By shaping best practices, mentoring QA leaders, and ensuring cross-functional alignment, this position plays a critical role in delivering safe, reliable, and high-performing products that reinforce customer trust and Lowe's brand standards.
What You Will Do- Provide QA support for strategic Global Merchandising initiatives, including product development projects, Product Line Reviews, and Private/National Brand activities.
- Lead product and quality engineering efforts across assigned categories, covering new and existing products as well as vendor partnerships.
- Assess project scope using critical thinking and stakeholder input to determine the appropriate QA processes, such as stage gates, APQP workbooks, or other documentation.
- Support productivity, cost-out, and COO diversification initiatives by validating item, vendor, and factory changes through product testing.
- Drive timely execution of projects by ensuring strong communication, adherence to plans, and accountability for deliverables.
- Guide engineers toward optimal solutions while modeling best practices that support effective decision-making and organizational alignment.
- Partner with QA Systems & Process and Lowe's Technology Teams to prioritize tools and systems that increase team efficiency and effectiveness.
- Direct QA workstreams and vendor requirements to maximize impact and ensure alignment with business priorities.
- Promote vendor and cross-functional adoption of risk-mitigation and continuous improvement activities.
- Sponsor strategic initiatives to streamline QA processes and align with global QA practices.
- Oversee the claims substantiation process for Private Brand packaging, providing expert recommendations to Packaging and Legal teams.
- Lead the QA Lab Testing team, ensuring alignment with Shanghai SPARK! Lab and timely, cost-effective delivery of test reports.
- Manage QA Lab operations, including facilities, gauge calibration, tools, inventory, and housekeeping.
- Provide oversight of IDEA! Space and IDEA! House to ensure effective support for Global Merchandising and Lowe's initiatives.
- Oversee the development of Private Brand performance specifications, including benchmarking, test plan creation, and performance standards.
- Oversee the execution of 3rd Party compliance testing (product & transit) to ensure products are compliant with new and existing regulatory requirements and supply chain handling methods.
- Implement reporting and governance mechanisms to drive vendor compliance with QA testing requirements.
- Develop systems, training, and communication tools to support vendor testing activities, with a focus on Domestic Private Brand items.
- Build a process-driven, continuous improvement culture that unites QA Engineering, QA Lab Testing, and Program Engineering teams toward shared goals.
- Provide actionable insights to Merchandising, Product Development, vendors, and enterprise partners to prioritize corrective actions using risk-based analysis.
- Coach teams on containment and product service projects (e.g., stop sales, DC holds, reworks), ensuring clear stakeholder communication and timely resolution.
- Continuously refine tools and methods to embed productivity and efficiency into QA culture.
- Attract, develop, and retain high-performing talent aligned with Lowe's goals and values.
- Foster a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative environment that encourages innovation and accountability.
- Set clear performance expectations, support career development, and provide meaningful feedback to strengthen individual and team capability.
- Guide engineers in identifying career path opportunities and closing skill gaps.
- Build strong partnerships with stakeholders across QA, Global Merchandising, and enterprise functions to ensure visibility, alignment, and collaboration.
- Foster global partnerships with QA teams in Shanghai, India, and Vietnam, as well as external vendors and labs, to achieve shared quality objectives.
- Use strong influencing and communication skills to build consensus and alignment across diverse stakeholders.
- Maintain and deepen knowledge of design, manufacturing, engineering, and testing principles within assigned categories.
- Strengthen business acumen to balance risk with business goals when making QA decisions.
- Represent Lowe's in trade-specific committees and maintain relevant professional certifications and memberships.
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor's degree Engineering, technical sciences or related field or equivalent years of experience in lieu of education requirement, if applicable
- 9 years experience working with a broad range of materials and manufacturing processes, experience in creative problem solving and working cross-functionally with design and manufacturing to achieve quality and cost targets, desired design intent and project deadlines
- 3 years experience leading a team directly or indirectly
- 3 years consumer product testing experience in a manufacturing, lab or retail environment
- Excellent aptitude in mechanical, electrical, or other engineering disciplines
- 3 years demonstrated experience leading/facilitating projects
- 3 years experience using problem solving tools such as DMAIC, CAPA, 5 Why, 8D, Cause and Effect / Ishikawa diagrams, etc.
- 3 years experience utilizing Quality Core Tools, particularly APQP and FMEA
- 3 years experience leading projects aimed at containment of non-conforming products across multiple facilities/operations
Preferred Skills/Education- Master's degree Engineering, technical sciences or related field
- 3-5 years experience managing complex programs. Experience co-creating with designers and bringing product to production with oversees suppliers and engineers.
- Familiarity with ISO9001 and/or TS16949 requirements
- Retail Operations experience
- Supplier Quality experience
- CQE or CQA Certified
