Product Quality Associate

Overview of the RoleA leading retail organization is seeking a Product Quality Associate to support product quality, compliance, sample management, and vendor partnership activities across a diverse merchandise portfolio. This role partners closely with Merchants, Buyers, Vendors, Product Development, and cross-functional teams to ensure products meet established quality, safety, packaging, and regulatory standards throughout the product lifecycle.The ideal candidate combines strong product knowledge, attention to detail, and operational excellence with an understanding of merchandising, product development, vendor management, and quality assurance. This role is well suited for candidates with backgrounds in retail merchandising, product development, quality assurance, buying, merchandise operations, production, or product compliance who enjoy working closely with both products and people in a fast-paced retail environment.The BasicsDuration: 3+ months (freelance-to-full-time opportunity)Location/Work Arrangement: New York City, NY; Hybrid (3 days onsite per week)Schedule: Monday-Friday, 40 hours a weekTop 3 Required Qualifications2+ years of experience in merchandising, product development, quality assurance, buying, planning, production, or related retail functionsExperience coordinating product quality, sample reviews, compliance activities, or vendor-facing processesStrong organizational, communication, and project coordination skills with exceptional attention to detailOther QualificationsExperience working within retail, consumer products, private label, merchandising, sourcing, or product development environmentsKnowledge of product testing, quality assurance, compliance requirements, and regulatory standardsExperience partnering with domestic and international vendors and suppliersFamiliarity with product development and production lifecyclesStrong analytical and problem-solving abilitiesProficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and OutlookAbility to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneouslyStrong eye for product quality, color, design, packaging, and presentationExperience maintaining product specifications, testing documentation, and sample libraries preferredKey ResponsibilitiesManage product quality processes, standards, and systems across merchandise, incentive products, and private label programsEnsure products comply with applicable federal safety, testing, packaging, and labeling requirementsReview and approve pre-production, production, and vendor-submitted samples prior to launchIdentify, investigate, document, and resolve quality concerns through collaboration with vendors, merchants, and internal stakeholdersPartner with Merchants, Buyers, and Vendors to establish product specifications, quality requirements, and best practicesMaintain libraries of approved samples, testing documentation, specifications, compliance records, and quality standardsSupport product development initiatives focused on quality, value, design, and customer satisfactionCoordinate sample requests, sample tracking, inspections, approvals, and status updates throughout the product lifecycleMonitor on-order samples and ensure timely completion of review and approval processesSupport product testing programs and manage related documentation and recordsDevelop and maintain strong working relationships with domestic and international vendorsCommunicate approval status, compliance requirements, testing results, and quality expectations to stakeholdersPartner with merchandising and buying teams to ensure efficient and accurate product executionEducate Merchants and team members on product quality standards, compliance requirements, and industry best practicesSupport onboarding and training efforts for new team members and MerchantsConduct market research, competitive analysis, store visits, and product reviews to identify quality trends and opportunitiesReceive, organize, track, and distribute daily sample shipments and materialsMaintain sample libraries, swatch books, product archives, photography records, and supporting documentationSupport shipping coordination, vendor communications, presentations, filing, archiving, and administrative activitiesAssist with special projects and department initiatives as neededIdentify opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiency across quality and product workflowsIn this position, you may have access to client or customer systems, confidential and/or proprietary information or data. This position is onsite and requires you to work closely with other individuals in a collaborative team environment.Benefits Email Your Resume In Word To Lucy.Hastings@jobalert.creativecircle.com Looking forward to receiving your resume through our website and going over the position with you. Clicking apply is the best way to apply. Please do NOT change the email subject line in any way. You must keep the JobID: linkedin : LD9-1999616L335 -- in the email subject line for your application to be considered. Lucy Hastings - Senior Recruiter, Enterprise For Creative Circle to represent you for this opportunity, you must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship for a non-immigrant visa such as a H-1B, TN, or O visa. We do not support or provide training for STEM/OPT programs. Additionally, you must be physically located in and perform the work for our client in the United States.This is a new role. This job was first posted by Creative Circle on 10/13/2026 and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or closed. Everforth Creative Circle is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring process includes AI screening for keywords and minimum qualifications. Recruiters review all results. Everforth Creative Circle will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local law, including but not limited to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act. If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please contact your Recruiter (the person you'll be interviewing with) or a member of our Human Resources team to make arrangements. Anthem / Blue Cross Blue Shield creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Creative Circle. Copyright © 2026 Everforth, Inc. All rights reserved.