Quality Assurance Specialist

Role: Production and Quality Control AssociateReports to: Senior Director of Supply ChainType: Full-TimeLocation: New York PreferredRequired Work Authorization: USAAs the Production & Quality Control Associate, you will be responsible for supporting production control, Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) operations, and leading accessory and merch sourcing and production at Crown Affair. You'll partner with internal stakeholders and external partners (QC/QA Consultant, Product Development Manager, packaging suppliers, CMs) to ensure products meet internal standards, troubleshoot quality issues, lead merch development from concept to commercialization, and help improve pass-off flows across the stage-gate process.The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in quality assurance/control within the cosmetics or CPG space, paired with sourcing and product development experience in that same industry, and thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where priorities shift quickly and ownership matters.What you will do—QualityMonitor and verify that identified QC/QA specifications are being met during production runs, escalating deviations per established protocolPerform QC checks on batch samples, verifying output against defined specifications, before and during production runsReview batch/production records for completeness and accuracy prior to release sign-offTrack and report batch failure rate against spec, with a target of zero critical failuresMaintain documentation of QC check results, deviations, and escalationsDevelop QC metrics and KPIs to monitor vendor performance and drive continuous improvementPartner with 3rd party inspector to conduct audits to ensure CAPAs are implemented when quality issues are identifiedPartner with QA/QC Consultant and PD to investigate quality deviation or issuesSupport supplier/CM quality audits by confirming real-time practices match documented proceduresProduction ControlDocument observed deviations and route them into the escalation/CAPA processOutline inspection specs by component to ensure comprehensive post production inspections are completed at the component levelPartner with PD to refine batch review process to ensure alignment with QMSServe as the on-site point of contact for production compliance questions with CMs and suppliersSourcing Own end-to-end development of accessory and merch products briefed by the Brand Marketing team — from vendor sourcing through launch — ensuring products are delivered on spec, on time, and at the right quality and cost.Source, evaluate, and select vendors/manufacturers for accessory and merch products based on capability, quality, cost, and lead timeManage the product development timeline from initial brief through sample rounds, approvals, PO issuance, production, and launchTrack and coordinate sample development (proto, pre-production, production samples), routing for internal approvals and revisionsOwn communication with vendors on spec changes, timeline updates, and issue resolution throughout developmentPartner with Brand Marketing to translate creative briefs into vendor-ready specs and ensure design intent is preserved through productionNegotiate pricing, MOQs, and payment/production terms with vendorsIssue and track POs, monitoring vendor adherence to costing, quantities, and timelinesConduct quality inspections on incoming accessory/merch shipments (or coordinate third-party inspection) prior to distribution/launchMaintain a development tracker/status log across all active accessory and merch projects, flagging timeline risks proactivelyManage vendor relationships and performance over time, including onboarding new vendors as neededServe as the primary point of contact between Brand Marketing and vendors/manufacturers for all accessory and merch developmentBalance and prioritize workload across core production QC/QA responsibilities and accessory/merch development timelinesEscalate vendor performance issues (quality, cost, timeline) to leadership with recommended corrective actionsKey Requirements—4+ years of quality experience in a fast-paced, CPG environmentClear, fast communicator — able to escalate issues same-day without hesitationExperience working with or auditing contract manufacturers/suppliers a strong plusStrong negotiation skills with experience in sourcing, production and international manufacturingStrong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects in parallelAnalytical and strategic thinking skills, able to see the impact and scope of a decisionExperience with ERP systemsHighly skilled with Excel/Google SheetsOpen to travel up to 25% of the timeThe candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United StatesLocation: New York, NYAbout Crown Affair—Crown Affair is a first of its kind haircare brand that empowers people to redefine their relationship with their hair through accessible luxury products, guidance, and community. We believe that loving your hair starts with understanding how to care for it. Each product we make is developed to work together with any (or all) of our other products, so that together they form more than a routine: it’s a ritual. We’ve partnered with dedicated craftsmen and chemists around the world to create thoughtfully sourced products you’ll love using each and every day.About The Founder— Dianna Cohen started her career at digital content platform, Into The Gloss, in 2012. She was part of the founding team of e-commerce mobile app, Spring, where she launched and managed their marketing channels from pre-launch through year two. From there, she worked closely with former Jimmy Choo founder, Tamara Mellon, to relaunch her namesake brand as a direct-to- consumer, luxury company. After launching Tamara Mellon in 2016, Dianna joined travel company, Away, as Head of Partnerships until she left to start Levitate at the end of 2017. Under Levitate, Dianna has worked with a number of direct-to- consumer brands including, Harry’s / Flamingo, Outdoor Voices, Yumi, Buck Mason, The Wing, and more. Dianna is part of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for the Class of 2019.