Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager | San Francisco, CA | Supply Chain Team | Reports to VP Supply Chain

 

Who is Allbirds?

At Allbirds, we believe in using business as a force for good. We’re a global footwear and apparel brand with roots in New Zealand and headquarters in San Francisco. Since 2016, we’ve been on a mission to prove that comfort, design, and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive. Our commitment to creating better things in a better way is fueled by a belief that the fashion industry needs to focus less on flash and more on thoughtfulness. We're a certified B Corporation, meaning we meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. We’re dedicated to making the most sustainable products we can using premium natural materials - designed for life’s everyday adventures. In fact, TIME 100 named us for being one of the most innovative companies. Already calling our first shoe, the Wool Runners, the most comfortable in the world, and there is much more to come.

We take our craft seriously, but not ourselves. As part of the Allbirds family, you can look forward to team lunches, product tests, fun company events, inspiring guest speakers, comfortable shoes, sheep puns, and lots of creative ideas.

What does the job entail?

We are looking for a proactive, collaborative, and detail-oriented professional to lead our Quality Assurance (QA) and Compliance initiatives at Allbirds. In this key role, you will oversee the QA process, working closely with our HQ-based Design, Product Development, Customer Service, Retail and Warehousing teams, as well as our Regional Office (RO) Quality Control and Production teams in Asial. Additionally, you will spearhead compliance efforts to ensure our products and manufacturing partners adhere to existing and new market regulatory standards as well as social compliance requirements, while ensuring all import documentation and labeling meet global regulations.

What You'll Do: 

Quality Assurance:

• Develop and implement QA processes across the product lifecycle, collaborating with our HQ Design and Product Development teams as well as Regional Office (RO) Quality Control, and Production teams to ensure quality, resolve defects, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement for optimal product performance and customer satisfaction.
• Analyze and resolve post-production quality issues by identifying root causes and working collaboratively with RO Quality and Production teams, to implement corrective action plans into the production base. 
• Utilize data from digital and retail channels, customer experience (CX), and third-party (3P) partners to establish a strong feedback loop with internal teams, fostering continuous improvement and elevating product quality.
• Analyze returns to identify trends, improve durability, and enhance customer satisfaction. Implement real-time defect tracking to support timely product claims.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (design, product development, quality control, production, logistics, retail, customer experience etc.) to ensure quality objectives are integrated into each phase of our product lifecycle.
• Provide program management support and leadership for resolution of critical quality issues, including oversight and guidance of the preparation of impact assessments.
• Report on key QA metrics and present findings and recommendations to senior leadership.

Compliance: 

• Establish, maintain and implement quality standards for all products to ensure compliance with industry regulations, Allbirds internal standards, and global labeling requirements.
• Lead market compliance research efforts and analysis on international regulations to identify any new compliance constraints for the import and commercialization of products for DTC and 3P markets (GB test - China, Needle test - Japan, BIS certification - India, etc.) 
• Leverage external experts, international business groups and 3rd party labs to monitor regulatory changes and communicate new requirements to the team
• Lead social compliance efforts to ensure all manufacturing partners adhere to ethical labor practices and meet environmental and safety standards.
• Ensure all documentation is up to date for regulatory Market compliance, import/export requirements, and global product labeling for all DTC and 3P markets

 

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor of Science degree and  5-7+ years of relevant experience within the Quality Assurance, Compliance or Product Development space; footwear industry experience highly desirable.
• Deep knowledge of QA methodologies, tools, and best practices, with a proven track record of implementing and managing QA programs at a footwear brand.
• Knowledge of textiles and finishing methods a plus
• Strong understanding of footwear product development processes and workflows.
• Ability to manage complex and changing regulatory frameworks at a fast pace manufacturing company
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to handle complex issues and make data-driven decisions.
• Strong self-motivation and initiative to prioritize and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Skilled in building and maintaining relationships across multiple departments, with strong communication and interpersonal abilities
• Exceptional attention to detail combined with the capability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent tasks and deadline
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written; ability to provide guidance and advice within area of expertise.
• Skilled in data analysis using Excel and Google Sheets, with general proficiency across Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications.

Work Environment

Work takes place in an office setting. This job may require working more than 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours a week. It requires the ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time and communicate effectively with a diverse audience in person, by phone and by computer.

 

What do we offer?

In Office: The  pay range for this role is: $118,000 - $130,000 and must be performed in our San Francisco, CA corporate office. 

Allbirds routinely evaluates pay rates, and the ranges are subject to change based on market rates and other considerations.  We factor in a number of components when determining starting pay, including the job and level you are hired into, location, skillset, experience and peer compensation.

 

Benefits Overview:

When you join our flock at Allbirds, we offer competitive pay as well as bonus and equity for eligible roles, healthcare, retirement savings, and other great benefits for the whole being. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms. For information about benefits and eligibility, please see the detailed list below.

• Health benefits include Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and eligible dependents. 
• Medical plan options include: PPO, HDHP (100% premium paid for employees, employees only pay premium for dependents), and HMO (in California)
• 100% Company paid OneMedical memberships available for members of certain medical plans. 
• Company HSA contribution for enrolled HSA members.
• Financial benefits include: company equity for eligible roles, 401(k) with employer matching contribution (with immediate vesting and pre and post-tax options), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, company-paid life insurance for full time roles, short-term and long-term disability, pre-tax savings programs for eligible healthcare, childcare and commuter expenses for both full and part-time roles, medical travel expense reimbursement program for full and part-time roles.
• Unlimited PTO for full-time corporate roles, sick and vacation time for  other roles, plus parental leave (with a new parent bonus for full-time employees), volunteering, medical & family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Support benefits through Modern Health (free mental health benefit with coaching and therapy sessions), Employee Assistance Program and more.
• Other Perks include: the company discount (50%) on most Allbirds products, discount mall through LifeBalance, reimbursement on eligible wellness expenses (full-time employees) and cellphone and more for certain eligible roles.

Diversity

Allbirds is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. Allbirds policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, marital or veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), sexual orientation, pregnancy, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits discrimination based on a perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.