Product Quality Specialist Jobs

Position Overview:

As a Product Quality Specialist at cuddle+kind, you will play a vital role in maintaining the heirloom quality standards of our hand-knit dolls. Your primary responsibility will be to lead and manage the hand-knit doll quality inspection program. You will work closely with the production team to ensure that our dolls meet the highest quality standards and deliver an exceptional experience to our customers. Your attention to detail and commitment to excellence will be critical in upholding cuddle+kind's reputation for producing heirloom quality, safe, and cute products.

Who we are:

cuddle+kind is a social business started by a family of five on a mission to help feed children in need. Our stylish, hand-knit dolls are ethically produced by artisans in Peru, and for each doll sold, we donate 10 meals to children in need. Our values drive everything we do, so we believe in treating every customer with kindness and respect, and delighting them at every chance we get. Each one of our customers is helping us make a difference in the life of a child and it’s important they feel like part of the cuddle+kind family. If you're looking for a dynamic role where you can make a difference in the lives of people around the world, while working with a company committed to social impact, then this position is for you.

What you’ll do:

Product Innovation Support:

• Collaborate with the Innovation Project Manager to develop and maintain technical packs for new product developments, ensuring comprehensive documentation of design specifications, materials, construction methods, and quality requirements.
• Provide input and support during the innovation phase to ensure that quality standards can be met during mass production.
• Conduct risk assessments and provide feedback on potential quality issues or challenges associated with new product concepts.

Quality Inspection Program Management:

• Conduct weekly warehouse (North York) quality inspections to evaluate post-shipment quality of hand-knit dolls and the performance of local inspection team
• Collaborate with artisans and local quality inspection team to ensure defined quality standard and specifications are met for all dolls during the production process
• Identify and document any quality issues or defects, and provide actionable feedback to the production team for improvement.
• Post production review: Lead change management efforts to ensure that any changes identified during quality control inspections are effectively communicated and retained during mass production. Collaborate with local teams to establish clear milestones and processes for implementing changes throughout the production lifecycle. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these changes, ensuring consistent quality standards are maintained across different manufacturing stages and locations.
• Establish inspection procedures, checklists, and guidelines to ensure consistent quality control throughout the manufacturing process.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive quality inspection program specifically for the hand-knit dolls for overseas production
• Liaise with product development and innovation team to define set of technical specification that are consistent across current collection and innovation lineup

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Take ownership of the design of the scorecard for continuous improvement
• Collect and analyze data related to quality metrics, defect rates, and customer feedback on a quarterly basis to compile into artisan scorecards to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Proactively communicate artisans' performance to senior management, including inspection findings, and actionable recommendations for corrective actions .
• Create and provide usable Airtable forms for local inspection team to utilize in order to track product quality delivery by artisan group for reporting

Training and Collaboration:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as design, manufacturing, and customer support, to address quality-related issues and implement effective solutions.
• Foster a culture of quality consciousness by promoting awareness and understanding of quality requirements throughout the organization.
• Train and educate the local inspection team on quality standards, inspection techniques, and quality control processes.

Product Compliance:

• Ensure that all necessary tests, such as material safety, flammability, and physical safety, are conducted in accordance with relevant industry standards and regulations.
• Work closely with third-party compliance companies to coordinate and facilitate safety testing of hand-knit dolls and corresponding packaging with optimized schedules that are timely and cost effective
• Oversee the proper documentation and reporting of safety testing processes, results, and certificates provided by compliance companies including maintenance of accurate records of safety tests conducted and ensure that the required documentation is readily available for internal reference and regulatory audits.

Copyright Registrations:

• Work closely with legal professionals to complete copyright registration applications accurately and in a timely manner.
• Assist in gathering and organizing relevant documentation and design assets necessary for copyright registrations.
• Seek legal guidance to determine whether design modifications require new copyright registrations or modifications to existing ones.

Who you are:

• Proficiency in using data analysis tools such as Airtable, Google Workspace and Office applications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collect and interpret data to drive quality improvements.
• Familiarity with hand-knit or hand-made production processes and related quality considerations is highly desirable.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to spot defects or deviations from quality standards.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to provide clear and actionable feedback.
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems, inspection techniques, and quality control methodologies.
• Proven experience in quality assurance and quality control, preferably in a manufacturing or consumer goods industry (fashion or textile industry).
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as quality assurance, engineering, or related disciplines.

Working with cuddle+kind:

cuddle+kind is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive, safe, and equitable work environment for all employees.

We offer:

• Discounted / free food
• Casual dress
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Paid time off
• Hybrid office / work from home schedule
• On-site parking
• Discounted products
• Company events