Director, Quality Assurance

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE DRIVING FORCE IN SPIRIT ACROSS CHEER, DANCE AND BAND

For over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team and performing arts. 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, and competitions, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

 

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.

WORK TYPE: Remote

LOCATION DETAILS: Candidate must live in the United States of America. Prefence to candidates who live in the Dallas-Ft.Worth Metroplex.

WORK HOURS: Full time

PAY RATE: USD $121,500 - $150,000 Base Salary

Pay rate will vary based on criteria such as education, experience and qualifications of the applicant, location, internal equity, and alignment with the market.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: ~20%

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

The Director of Quality Assurance is responsible for overseeing all quality functions across Supplier Quality, Custom Manufacturing Quality, the Quality Lab, and Environmental Sustainability. This role ensures that quality standards are upheld throughout the entire supply chain, from raw materials to finished goods, and leads initiatives to continuously improve quality processes. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the apparel industry and a track record of driving quality improvements in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Oversee Supplier Quality programs, ensuring compliance with company standards and driving continuous improvement across the supply base.
• Lead teams responsible for Custom Manufacturing Quality, ensuring that production meets internal and customer standards.
• Direct the Quality Lab to ensure accurate testing of raw materials, fabrics, and finished goods, while developing new testing protocols as needed.
• Oversee the Environmental Sustainability manager, ensuring alignment with the company's sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement quality assurance strategies to improve overall product quality, reduce defects, and drive customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, Sourcing, and Manufacturing, to align on quality standards and address quality issues.
• Manage relationships with third-party labs and testing facilities, ensuring timely and accurate testing for materials and products.
• Build and maintain robust supplier scorecards and performance metrics to ensure accountability and data-driven decision-making.
• Lead the creation and implementation of SOPs related to quality assurance, testing, and sustainability.
• Drive the use of quality data to identify trends, reduce defects, and improve processes throughout the supply chain.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards, including environmental and sustainability certifications.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability within the Quality Assurance team.
• Manage and mentor direct reports, providing leadership and development opportunities.
• Oversee department budgeting and resource allocation to ensure efficient use of resources while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Lead internal audits and supplier audits to ensure compliance with company standards.
• Act as the key escalation point for all major quality issues, both internally and with suppliers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Extensive experience in quality assurance within the apparel industry, including knowledge of manufacturing processes, testing standards, and supplier management.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and direct reports across multiple quality functions.
• Proven experience with quality management systems (QMS), supplier performance monitoring, and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Familiarity with environmental sustainability initiatives and regulatory compliance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to lead and mentor a diverse team of managers and professionals.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., Engineering, Quality Management, or Apparel Manufacturing).
• 8+ years of experience in quality assurance, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in apparel manufacturing and quality assurance is required.
• Experience with supplier management, sustainability programs, and lab testing is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This role is primarily sedentary (75%), involving office-based work such as overseeing quality programs, analyzing data, and leading cross-functional meetings. However, the Director of Quality Assurance will also need to be active (25%), visiting production sites, working with quality teams, and inspecting supplier facilities. This position operates in a professional office environment, utilizing standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and video conferencing tools, but also requires interaction with manufacturing facilities and labs. The employee must be available during core business hours but may need to work outside of standard hours to address urgent quality issues or communicate with international suppliers.

#LI-GT1

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

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.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• 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
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.