Director, Quality Assurance

Position Summary:

This is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic development and operational oversight of the company’s Quality Management System and upholding Fanatic Collectibles core pillar – Relentlessly Improving the Collectors Experience. The Director, Quality Assurance ensures that all Topps and Fanatics Collectibles products are manufactured to the highest standards of quality, integrity, and timeliness. The Director will focus on process and quality at internal and external partners with regards to operational excellence, print, finishing and pack outs. This position interfaces with a range of internal product development teams and the breadth of our external supply chain. The Director, Quality Assurance reports directly to the Vice President of Quality Assurance and Compliance. 

• Ability to work extended hours, including overtime, evenings, weekends, and holidays as production demands.
• Experience in Trading Card Games or Collectibles a plus
• This position is in Sunnyvale, TX
• Travel <20%

Experience/Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Industrial or Manufacturing), Quality Management or related fields.
• 10-15 years or progressive experience in quality assurance, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or directorial capacity.
• Certifications are a MAJOR plus -CMQ/OE, CQA, Lean Six Sigma – Green or Black Belt
• Experience in developing and maintaining quality control systems
• Mastery of Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and Statistical Process Controls (SPC) is essential.
• Proven ability to implement quality assurance and ensure compliance within set standards
• Proven ability to work cross functionally to define quality parameters, align SOP’s, work instructions, training material and implementation
• Experience with conducting quality process audits and addressing safety, security and quality issues at suppliers.
• Significant experience in a managerial or supervisory role within a busy manufacturing setting – the current operation is 24/7 across multiple sites.
• Experience leading and developing a team.
• Proven ability to manage and optimize resources effectively.
• Expertise in Issue Resolution, Root Cause Analysis using techniques like 8D, 5 Whys and Fishbone. Demonstrated experience in process improvement and optimization.
• Track record of implementing successful process improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in Risk Management.
• Audit Management – Proven ability to lead internal and external audits.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to achieve production goals.
• Proven ability to work effectively with other departments, such as engineering, quality assurance, and supply chain.
• Experience in managing supplier relationships and coordinating with external partners
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to align quality goals with Production, Continuous Improvement, Innovation, Engineering, and Supply Chain departments.
  • Ability to troubleshoot production issues and implement effective solutions onsite at suppliers with regards to prepress files, proofing, stock, specification issues, etc.
  • Innovative thinking to improve current production processes
• Team Development: Experience in recruiting, mentoring, and managing a high-performing team of quality managers, supervisors, and technicians.
  • Conflict resolution and team-building abilities
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills
  • Strong decision-making capabilities
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
• Supplier Quality Management: Establishing standards for the supply chain, including supplier audits and qualification
  • Ensure external partners have clear direction with regards to Quality Standards and parameters.
  • Proven ability to lead and motivate suppliers

Quality Assurance Experience:

• Experience in developing and maintaining quality control systems
• Mastery of Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and Statistical Process Controls (SPC) is essential.
• Proven ability to implement quality assurance and ensure compliance within set standards
• Proven ability to work cross functionally to define quality parameters, align SOP’s, work instructions, training material and implementation
• Experience with conducting quality process audits and addressing safety, security and quality issues at suppliers.

Management Experience:

• Significant experience in a managerial or supervisory role within a busy manufacturing setting – the current operation is 24/7 across multiple sites.
• Experience leading and developing a team.
• Proven ability to manage and optimize resources effectively.

Process Improvement Experience:

• Expertise in Issue Resolution, Root Cause Analysis using techniques like 8D, 5 Whys and Fishbone. Demonstrated experience in process improvement and optimization.
• Track record of implementing successful process improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in Risk Management.
• Audit Management – Proven ability to lead internal and external audits.

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Experience:

• Experience working with cross-functional teams to achieve production goals.
• Proven ability to work effectively with other departments, such as engineering, quality assurance, and supply chain.
• Experience in managing supplier relationships and coordinating with external partners

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Supervision and Leadership:

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to align quality goals with Production, Continuous Improvement, Innovation, Engineering, and Supply Chain departments.
  • Ability to troubleshoot production issues and implement effective solutions onsite at suppliers with regards to prepress files, proofing, stock, specification issues, etc.
  • Innovative thinking to improve current production processes
• Team Development: Experience in recruiting, mentoring, and managing a high-performing team of quality managers, supervisors, and technicians.
  • Conflict resolution and team-building abilities
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills
  • Strong decision-making capabilities
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
• Supplier Quality Management: Establishing standards for the supply chain, including supplier audits and qualification
  • Ensure external partners have clear direction with regards to Quality Standards and parameters.
  • Proven ability to lead and motivate suppliers

Quality Control:

• Attend product engineering and BOM (Bill of Material) reviews, evaluate risks and inefficiencies, and communicate with the product development team to drive efficiency, meet quality standards, provide cost and time savings.
• Ability to implement and monitor quality assurance programs.
• Works cross functionally to manage on-site and in-process quality assurance checks for all WIP and finished goods across supply chain.
• Collaborate with the Fanatics Collectibles team to understand challenges and pain points in the supply chain and develop and execute plans to address ongoing issues and concerns with suppliers.
• Ensure 1^st Articles for each discipline meets quality specifications for responsible department.
• Identify and resolve production and quality issues within the time frame of job schedule for responsible department.
• Strong understanding of quality with regards to industry standards.

Safety and Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and company standards for all printed work.
• Knowledge of ISO standards and regulatory compliance.

Continuous Improvement:

• Identify areas/opportunities for improvement with regards to production process.
• Develop and coordinate the research and execution of cost reduction and efficiency improvement projects at suppliers for Fanatics Collectibles.
• Use data-driven approaches to enhance production performance and reduce waste.
• Identify areas for improvement in production processes and implement changes.
• Develop and build out the revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) & Quality Control processes in partnership with vendors and internal SMEs to enhance efficiency and productivity.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Maintain accurate and updated records of department production activities, organization charts and initiatives, including project charters, ownership and deliverables.
• Proficiency in data and analytics - support the development of KPI reporting & analytics (scrap, defect rates, cost of quality, efficiency, equipment & headcount utilization, etc.).
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and improve production performance.
• Use performance data to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide weekly and monthly scorecards showing cost of quality, remake and rework KPIs.

Additional Skills:

• Proficiency in manufacturing software (e.g., WMS, ERP systems like SAP, Oracle).
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Airtable
• Data driven, highly analytical, ability to analyze and interpret production data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Strong understanding of process optimization and efficiency improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Bilingual a plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Regular bending, stooping, and kneeling to monitor machinery, inspect WIP, and handle materials.
• Compliance with all safety protocols and regulations regarding PPE usage (including safety glasses, gloves, ear protection, etc.) as needed.
• Exposure to a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, noise levels, and potential hazards.
• Tolerance for working in conditions that may include dust, fumes, and strong odors.
• Ability to remain alert and focused during long shifts and high-pressure situations.

EMPLOYER’S RIGHTS:

• This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions, and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Management retains the right to add to or change the duties at any time.

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