Director of Quality Assurance

This is a hybrid role based out of our HQ office near Portland, Oregon. The expectation is for employees to be in-office 3 days or more per week, depending on business need. This in-office expectation is subject to change at business discretion.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Director of Quality Assurance is a strategic leader responsible for ensuring that every product delivered to market meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and consumer satisfaction. This role goes beyond traditional QA by embedding consumer feedback, brand expectations, and emotional resonance into the quality strategy. The ideal candidate is passionate about translating consumer insights into tangible product improvements and building trust through consistent product excellence.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Consumer-Centric Quality Strategy

• Develop and lead a quality assurance strategy that aligns with brand values and enhances consumer experience across Brands and Sales Regions.

• Integrate consumer feedback, reviews, and return data into quality improvement initiatives.

• Champion a culture of quality that prioritizes consumer delight and loyalty.

Product Quality & Performance

• Oversee quality control processes across the product lifecycle—from design and development to manufacturing and post-launch.

• Define and enforce product performance standards that reflect real-world usage and consumer expectations.

• Partner with advanced innovation, product creation and sourcing teams to ensure quality is built into product design and sourcing strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with marketing, customer service, and product creation to understand consumer sentiment and ensure quality standards reflect consumer needs.

• Lead cross-functional quality reviews and post-launch assessments to drive continuous improvement.

• Facilitate rapid responses to Quality issues and develop solutions that minimize lost sales and drive financial accountability for incurred losses.

Data-Driven Insights

• Establish KPIs and dashboards to monitor product quality, consumer satisfaction, and defect trends.

• Analyze consumer complaints, warranty claims, and social sentiment to identify systemic issues and opportunities in consumer right standards, product creation and manufacturing.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety and regulatory standards for the markets we operate in.

• Lead risk assessments and mitigation strategies for new product launches and market expansions.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build and mentor a high-performing QA team focused on innovation, accountability, and consumer empathy.

• Foster a proactive, solution-oriented mindset across the organization.

YOU HAVE

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Consumer Science, or related field (Master’s preferred).

• 10+ years of experience in quality assurance within the consumer goods industry.

• Proven track record of improving consumer satisfaction through quality initiatives.

• Strong understanding of consumer behavior, product testing, and regulatory compliance.

• Excellent communication, leadership, and analytical skills.

• Experience with PLM, ERP, and quality management systems.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with VOC (Voice of the Customer) programs and Net Promoter Score (NPS) strategies.

• Background in human-centered design or consumer research.

• Certifications such as Six Sigma, ISO 9001, or ASQ CQE.

#Hybrid
#LI-LC1

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company. 

Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.

At Columbia Sportswear Company, we’re proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.

If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to [email protected] with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.