VP Quality and Product Integrity

Key Responsibilities:

• Quality Strategy Development:
  • Lead and drive comprehensive quality strategy and process that aligns with the company’s goals, ensuring products meet the highest standards of quality, product performance, safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Establish and oversee product quality standards, testing protocols, and quality control inspection and auditing procedures for all apparel and accessory product categories.
• Product Compliance & Regulatory Oversight:
  • Ensure compliance with international safety and environmental laws and regulations, retail customer process requirements and regulatory standards and manage associated documentation.
  • Keep abreast of changing industry regulations, ensuring products remain compliant throughout their product lifecycle.
• Supplier Quality Management:
  • Lead and direct continuous improvement through supplier education and training and auditing processes to ensure high-quality standards are maintained by external partners.
  • Collaborate with Fanatics strategic suppliers for consistent quality performance improvement ensuring timely resolution of any quality-related issues through resolution.
• Quality Assurance Program Management:
  • Own Fanatics product quality testing performance, regulatory requirements and compliance and CFA program training and management.
  • Lead and direct the development and implementation of comprehensive quality assurance programs across the organization.
  • Lead and manage global quality and product integrity teams, ensuring the consistent application of quality standards across all production and distribution channels.
• Defect and Issue Resolution:
  • Implement and direct processes and systems to detect, investigate, and resolve product defects and trends with high sense of urgency and effectively.
  • Lead root cause analysis efforts and direct corrective actions to eliminate defects and prevent recurrence.
• Continuous Improvement & Risk Management:
  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement within product quality and control processes, and systems.
  • Lead risk management efforts to proactively assess and mitigate quality risks, ensuring optimal product performance and safety.
• Data Analysis and Reporting:
  • Utilize data analytics to monitor product quality metrics, identify trends, and provide actionable insights.
  • Prepare and deliver reports to executive leadership, outlining key quality performance indicators and areas for improvement.
• Customer Feedback and Satisfaction:
  • Monitor and analyze customer feedback regarding product quality to identify areas for improvement and closed loop quality process.
  • Take ownership of product quality issues reported by customers, leading efforts to resolve them and improve customer satisfaction.
• Training and Development:
  • Ensure ongoing training, education and development programs are in place to educate internal teams and external partners on quality standards, best practices, and compliance requirements.
  • Foster a culture of quality and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Extensive Experience in Quality Management:
  • Proven experience in quality management, product integrity, and compliance within a related industry retail, apparel manufacturing, or consumer goods
  • Deep understanding of quality management principles, methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean), and industry best practices.
  • Advanced knowledge of textile and apparel manufacturing processes and quality management processes for textiles. 
• Regulatory Knowledge:
  • Expertise in product compliance with industry standards and regulations globally
  • Knowledge of risk management processes and regulatory requirements.
• Leadership and Team Management:
  • Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage and inspire cross-functional teams.
  • Experience in developing and leading high-performing teams in quality assurance, quality control and product integrity.
• Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to communicate complex quality concepts to senior leadership and other non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Business, Apparel Manufacturing, Textile Mill, Supply Chain, Quality Management).
• 15+ year of experience in apparel manufacturing, retail industry – preferably licensed sports 
• Certification in quality management systems (Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, etc).
• Experience with global supply chains and managing product quality across diverse geographic locations.