Director of Quality Assurance
Location: Hybrid – New York, NY
About Pets + People
At Pets + People, we create innovative, trusted products that make life better for pets and the people who love them. Our portfolio spans leading consumer brands that define pet care excellence through design, safety, and reliability. As we continue to grow across product categories and global markets, maintaining world-class quality standards is central to our mission.
We’re looking for a Director of Quality Assurance to build and lead our first company-wide Quality department — designing systems, processes, and culture from the ground up.
What You’ll Do
You’ll be the architect and driving force behind our quality vision, creating a scalable framework that supports our rapid growth and diverse product lines.
Core Responsibilities
- Quality Systems Leadership: Design, implement, and continuously improve company-wide quality control and assurance standards across all product categories and suppliers.
- Testing & Performance Standards: Establish and enforce product testing protocols, performance metrics, and compliance standards aligned with both regulatory and brand expectations.
- Supplier & Manufacturing Oversight: Oversee all supplier quality programs, ensuring adherence to company standards, safety regulations, and ethical manufacturing practices.
- Issue Resolution: Manage product quality issues end-to-end — from root cause analysis to corrective and preventive actions — working closely with suppliers, third-party labs, and our warehouse teams.
- Audit Management: Lead all quality, safety, social, and manufacturing audits for suppliers globally; coordinate audit schedules, CAPA responses, and performance tracking.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Development, Supply Chain, and Operations to embed quality assurance throughout the product lifecycle.
- Regulatory & Compliance Ownership: Ensure compliance with all applicable U.S. and international regulations for pet and consumer products (including FDA, EPA, ASTM, CPSIA, REACH, and others).
- Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing QA team that drives a proactive, data-driven quality culture across the organization.
What You Bring
- Experience: 10+ years in Quality Assurance or Quality Control, including 5+ years in a leadership role overseeing consumer goods or pet products.
- Builder Mentality: Comfortable being hands-on. You’re not just managing — you’re building. You’ll roll up your sleeves to develop the systems, processes, and team that define our quality function.
- Expertise: Deep understanding of product testing, manufacturing audits, corrective action planning, and supplier quality systems.
- Knowledge: Familiarity with international quality and safety standards, ethical sourcing requirements, and social compliance frameworks.
- Communication: Strong cross-functional communicator who can translate technical details into actionable business decisions.
- Mindset: You’re a systems thinker, problem-solver, and change agent who thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
Bonus Points
- Experience with pet products, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or licensed brands.
- Strong knowledge of global supplier networks (China, India, SE Asia).
- Certification(s) in Quality Management, Six Sigma, or related discipline.
Why Join Pets + People
- Build something from the ground up — shape the future of quality across an expanding, high-impact product portfolio.
- Be part of a mission-driven company improving the lives of pets and people.
- Collaborate with a passionate team that values accountability, innovation, and transparency.
