Associate Manager, Quality Assurance (Accessories)

J.Jill is a national lifestyle brand that provides apparel, footwear and accessories designed to help its customers move through a full life with ease. The brand represents an easy, thoughtful, and inspired style that celebrates the totality of all women and designs its products with its core brand ethos in mind: keep it simple and make it matter. J. Jill offers a high touch customer experience through over 200 stores nationwide and a robust ecommerce platform. J.Jill is headquartered outside Boston.

The Quality Assurance team defines and upholds the fabric, trim, and construction standards to meet design aesthetic, performance expectations and complies with all regulatory compliance requirements. Quality Assurance develops and implements quality assurance processes at the supplier level and drives for continuous improvement.

The position supports the execution of brand-right products aligned with the sourcing strategy for accessories. This person will assist the Quality Assurance team in quality and manufacturing monitoring, collaborating with Product Development, Color, Sourcing, and global partners to maintain quality standards and ensure on-time delivery.

• Liaises with cross-functional team members in Product Development, Technical Design, Sourcing, Color, and Fabric R&D during the development process to ensure that product development meets J.Jill quality standards.
• Responsible for risk assessment of the products, identifying high or medium risk styles during the development stages.
• Responsible for wear-test program for styles identified to be a risk in production, which includes distributing, monitoring, measuring, washing, and drying samples.
• Responsible for assessing the wear-test results and providing recommendations to the QA Managers/PD partners.
• Works closely with QA Managers to file reviewed development and bulk testing reports when needed.
• Sends and receives sample garments to/from the Tilton DC as needed.
• Reviews product related issues while managing key timing milestones.
• Assists in communicating all quality issues on bulk production to agents, suppliers and internal partners as needed.
• Assists in all laboratory functions, tests, and reporting.
• Assists in managing the supplier laboratory self-testing program.
• Researches, analyzes and reports online customer comments.
• Investigates customer returns and complaints to determine root cause.
• Works with QA Managers and factories to implement Corrective Action Plans.
• Assists the QA Director and Managers as needed to accomplish QA team goals and objectives.
• Monitors factory and supplier quality control programs.
• Reports internally/externally AOQ (Average Outgoing Quality) and pass rates of factories/suppliers.
• Assists with regulatory issues and assures testing protocols are up to date.
• Attends line review meetings with Product Managers.

• Effectively communicate, (written/verbal) with a demonstrated ability to manage information from multiple sources and compile in a clear and concise way.
• Proactively self-manage, organize and prioritize workload, work independently, and adapt well to a changing environment.
• Engage as a collaborative and creative member of a team.
• Proactive problem-solving skills.
• Good working knowledge of software packages, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Must have good math skills and have a basic understanding of statistics. 
• Detail oriented and highly organized to be able to work on multiple projects at once.
• Sense of urgency in managing time and accomplishing tasks.
• Preferred exposure and knowledge of lab tests and/or QC programs in factories.
• Must have general knowledge of manufacturing processes.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 3+ years related experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Mostly sedentary - hear, listen, type, and read.
• Some standing, walking, bending, pulling/pushing, repetitive motion.
• Lifting up to 30 lbs

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of this position.

At J.Jill, we believe our associates should be seen, valued, and celebrated. We support the advancement of our associates by harnessing their unique contributions to grow and improve, and our success is guided by a culture that values keeping it simple and making it matter. J.Jill is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive and professional workplace free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at J.Jill are based solely upon business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status or any other legally protected status.  J.Jill provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals, in accordance with applicable laws.  If you need to inquire about an accommodation to assist with completing the application process, please email Talent.Acquisition@jjill.com