Quality Assurance Manager (Supply Chain)

Red Wing

Full-time - Mid Level

Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers

About the position

Red Wing Shoe Company is seeking a qualified professional to take on the role of Quality Assurance Manager within the Supply Chain department. This position is pivotal in providing leadership to ensure compliance with the company's quality requirements for footwear, leather, and raw materials. The Quality Assurance Manager will drive the optimization of quality processes and enhance the capabilities of the team to meet performance metrics related to safety, quality, cost, delivery, and people. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and developing an effective functional quality team through appropriate selection, coaching, training, and development, as well as recognizing and rewarding team members for their contributions. In this role, the Quality Assurance Manager will provide leadership to ensure compliance with both company quality standards and regulatory requirements. They will participate in the development and implementation of quality strategies aimed at optimizing current capabilities while identifying future needs and formulating action plans accordingly. The manager will oversee quality improvement projects, ensuring that they are executed according to plan, with early identification and remediation of corrective measures, and will engage appropriate stakeholders throughout the process. The position also involves providing quality expertise throughout the product lifecycle, which includes product creation, commercialization, domestic and third-party manufacturing, shipping, and addressing customer inquiries. The Quality Assurance Manager will develop product traceability processes and systems, ensuring effective execution. Additionally, they will lead the Post Market Quality team in evaluating field performance, analyzing trends against goals, and recommending corrective actions when necessary. The manager will also provide program management support for resolving critical quality issues, overseeing the preparation of impact assessments, and serving as a CAPA Board Member to provide oversight on investigations and actions.

Responsibilities

• Manage, empower, and develop an effective functional quality team through appropriate selection, coaching, training, and development.
• Provide leadership for assuring compliance with company quality and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in the development and implementation of quality strategies to optimize current capabilities.
• Oversee quality improvement projects, ensuring execution to plan and early identification of corrective measures.
• Provide quality expertise throughout the product lifecycle, including product creation and commercialization.
• Develop product traceability processes and systems and provide leadership for execution.
• Ensure the Post Market Quality team evaluates field performance and recommends corrective actions when necessary.
• Provide program management support for resolution of critical quality issues, including oversight of impact assessments.
• Develop and document detailed footwear quality standards by style or product family.
• Maintain quality service by developing and maintaining department level quality system procedures and standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree and 5 - 7 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with Footwear, Leather, or Apparel Manufacturing highly desirable.
• Manufacturing leadership experience in quality required, preferably in footwear manufacturing.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, listening) with all levels.
• Strong collaboration and team building skills.
• Exceptional influencing and negotiating skills.
• Advanced statistical methods knowledge.
• Superior analytical skills including LEAN/TPS working knowledge.
• Advanced statistical skills (ANOVA, DOE, etc.).
• Strong systems skills.
• Drive for results and superior execution.

Nice-to-haves

• Footwear manufacturing experience preferred.