Coordinator, Quality Assurance

About the Role

The Quality Assurance Coordinator will organize and play a key role in Quality Assurance activities and the maintenance of archival records around testing programs, audit plans, research, and other activities. The scope of this position will include involvement in products produced by New Era business units Globally, including headwear, apparel, and accessories.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate execution of New Era Cap Global testing, ensures SOPs are followed, product expectations are met, and duplicate testing avoided, ensuring New Era Cap and customer specific testing requirements are executed and communicated to appropriate parties within designated timeframes
• Maintain quality record archives for testing, auditing, quality KPIs, etc.
• Coordinate activities ensuring all product materials meet New Era and governmental product safety standards required by the region in which the product is being sold
• Develop knowledge of domestic and international compliance requirements and Restricted Substance Lists (RSL), and to take appropriate actions to mitigate issues as they arise
• Stay apprised of updates to new governmental product safety requirements that impact New Era products through organizational involvement and research
• Review third-party final inspection reports to ensure complete data accuracy and compliance with quality standards
• Aggregate and analyze defect data from inspection reports to evaluate and track overall vendor performance and status
• Validate and approve Children's Product Certificates (CPC) and regulatory vendor documentation
• Lead investigations for North American B2B return requests, managing vendor chargebacks when quality standards are missed
• Support internal defect auditing processes and generate clear reports to drive quality improvement initiatives
• Oversee quarterly testing programs with designated vendors for fabrics, trims, and components
• Monitor emerging compliance requirements and trends, including regulatory and legislative developments, and develops strategies to respond to compliance risks
• Provide training to internal teams and external suppliers on existing New Era policies and facilitate implementation of new policies related to product integrity in the Global Marketplace
• Act as reference to internal partners such as business units, product development, production and sourcing as well as external suppliers and labs for all product performance and product testing related issues and requests for claim substantiation or performance attributes
• Facilitate timely resolution with regard to quality issues by working closely with Business Units, Global Sourcing, and Suppliers
• Keep all sensitive matters confidential
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in apparel related technical or business preferred; additional experience in lieu of degree will be considered
• One (1) - Three (3) years professional experience
• Experience or Education in Apparel preferred
• Experience in quality lab testing preferred
• Experience in product compliance in a Global setting preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficient in Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Demonstrated knowledge of quality processes – preferably in apparel/textiles
• Working knowledge of Quality Management – apparel specific
• Solid knowledge of product testing and governmental product safety standards
• Ability to identify and implement Quality system enhancements
• Ability to employ analytical and critical thinking
• Knowledge of operational methods and procedures development
• Display strong reporting and communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Enthusiastic, proactive, and positive attitude, with a sense of urgency
• Possession of a communication style that is flexible when communicating with different levels within the organization
• Demonstrate the ability to multitask and deal with stress in an effective way
• Interest in growth regarding knowledge in quality systems, best practices, etc. through seminars, and continuing education

Pay

$50,000 - $60,000 (plus bonus & benefits)

Schedule

100% on-site in Buffalo, NY; 5% to 10% domestic and/or global travel