Position: Director of Quality Control
Location: Valdese, NC (On-site) No relocation assistance will be provided
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Company Overview
Kellex Seating is a leading provider of quality commercial furniture (seating) for senior living and hospitality projects. With over 30 years of industry experience, we take pride in delivering exceptional craftsmanship, innovative design, and on-time delivery. Our commitment to American manufacturing, quality, and customer satisfaction has made us a trusted partner.
Position Summary
We are seeking a hands-on, seasoned Director of Quality Control to lead and manage all quality assurance and quality control activities across our manufacturing operations and materials and products from outsourced manufacturing partners. The Director of Quality Control will establish and maintain robust inspection processes, ensure compliance with customer specifications and industry standards, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This role reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and collaborates closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Procurement, and Project Management teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Quality Management System (QMS):
- Implement, and maintain a comprehensive QMS
- Regularly review and update quality documentation (SOPs, inspection guidelines, checklists, work instructions).
- Inspection & Testing Oversight:
- Define incoming material inspection protocols for raw components (wood, metal, fabrics, finishes).
- Establish in-process inspection checkpoints at critical production stages (cutting, assembly, finishing, foam, upholstery).
- Oversee final product audits before shipping to ensure compliance with dimensional tolerances, finish quality, structural integrity, and customer specs.
- Vendor & Supplier Quality:
- Collaborate with Procurement to qualify new suppliers, perform supplier audits, and enforce corrective actions.
- Maintain a supplier scorecard for major suppliers and drive improvement plans for underperforming vendors.
- Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action:
- Lead cross-functional teams in identifying root causes of defects or nonconformities
- Develop, implement, and monitor Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) plans to eliminate recurring issues.
- Continuous Improvement:
- Use data-driven metrics (defect rates, customer returns) to identify opportunities for process improvement.
- Team Leadership & Development:
- Recruit, train, and mentor Quality Control Inspectors.
- Establish performance objectives, conduct performance evaluations, and provide ongoing coaching.
- Foster a collaborative culture of ownership and accountability around quality at all levels of the organization.
- Customer & Regulatory Compliance:
- Serve as primary liaison for on-site customer inspections, pre-shipment audits, and third-party certification bodies.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations (BIFMA, CARB formaldehyde standards, fire-retardancy for upholstery fabrics and foam).
- Prepare and present quality reports and metrics to senior leadership.
- Documentation & Reporting:
- Generate weekly/monthly quality metrics dashboards
- Develop management presentations on key quality initiatives, trends, and risk assessments.
Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive quality control/quality assurance experience within a upholstery furniture manufacturing or contract furniture environment.
- At least 5 years in a leadership capacity (Manager, Sr. Manager, or Director level).
- In-depth knowledge of upholstery processes, metal fabrication, upholstery techniques, and finishing operations.
- Familiarity with commercial furniture standards (BIFMA), regulatory requirements such as CARB
- Excellent communication and presentation skills—ability to interact effectively with shop floor teams, engineering, sales, and executive leadership.
Key Competencies
- Leadership & Team Building: Inspires, mentors, and develops high‐performing teams; promotes cross‐functional collaboration.
- Problem Solving & Decision Making: Uses data and structured methodologies to identify root causes and drive corrective actions.
- Attention to Detail: Exceptional eye for detecting defects, nonconformities, and deviations from standards.
- Customer Focus: Understands client expectations for quality and on-time delivery; maintains high customer satisfaction.
- Strategic Thinking: Aligns quality goals with organizational objectives; anticipates risks and implements preventive measures.
- Communication: Clear, concise reporting and presentation of complex quality metrics to stakeholders at all levels.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary (commensurate with experience)
- Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match.
- Paid time off (PTO) and company-observed holidays.
