Plant Quality Specialist

For over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team, performing arts and yearbook. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000+ employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, competitions, and yearbook, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

About the role

The Plant Quality Specialist is responsible for protecting product quality and brand standards by managing quality inspections and product investigations within the plant. This role supports the company’s quality assurance program by inspecting incoming merchandise and manufactured goods to ensure products meet established specifications and regulatory requirements. This position plays a critical role in preventing defective merchandise from entering inventory or shipping to customers, ensuring compliance with company quality standards, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Perform quality control inspections of incoming fabrics, trims, and other materials using established inspection protocols and AQL sampling methodologies; perform quality control inspections of uniforms and apparel during and at the conclusion of manufacturing.
• Inspect products for defects related to construction, materials, labeling, packaging, color consistency, and overall workmanship.
• Verify SKU accuracy, quantities, and product specifications during receiving inspections.
• Document inspection findings, classify defects, and determine disposition of goods (release, hold, rework, or reject).
• Ensure timely inspection and clearance of goods to support efficient operations.
• Identify recurring quality issues and communicate findings to sourcing and quality teams.
• Provide feedback to suppliers and internal teams to drive continuous quality improvement.
• Track vendor and internal quality trends and escalate concerns related to performance.
• Coordinate and schedule pre-shipment or in-process inspections at manufacturing facilities through approved third-party inspection service providers.
• Ensure inspection requests are submitted according to production timelines.
• Maintain accurate inspection records and quality documentation.
• Track and report quality metrics including defect rates and inspection outcomes.
• Verify that incoming products comply with labeling, packaging, and regulatory requirements.
• Instill quality standards among team to promote ongoing expectation of best-in-class quality.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience in quality control, product inspection, or plant operations.
• Experience inspecting apparel, textiles, or consumer goods strongly preferred.
• Experience working with AQL inspection standards preferred.
• Experience coordinating with third-party inspection agencies is a plus.
• Experience influencing cross functional stakeholders and external brand partners at a senior level.

Skills

• Strong understanding of quality inspection methods and defect identification.
• Knowledge of AQL sampling procedures.
• Ability to interpret product specifications, tech packs, and quality standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with operations and quality teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and quality reporting tools.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:30pm

Location

108 Stanbury Industrial Drive, Brookfield, MO (on-site). This position does not offer relocation assistance; candidates must be able to work from the designated location without company-sponsored relocation.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution / FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Varsity Brands Ownership Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Access to Financial Coaching and member-owned Credit Union
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment

Our Commitment to Safety

At Varsity Spirit, the safety and wellbeing of the young people we serve is of the utmost importance. Since our inception 50 years ago, we have been – and remain – steadfastly committed to doing our part to create a safe and positive environment for our participants’ physical, emotional, and social development, and promoting an environment free from abuse and misconduct. Varsity has a zero tolerance for abuse in its programs, events, and associated business activities. Varsity is committed to reporting all suspicions, allegations, and incidents of abuse in full accordance with local laws and reporting requirements. Learn more at Our Commitment to Safety - Varsity.com.

Our Values

• Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.
• Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.
• Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.
• Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.
• Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.
• Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.