Product Development Manager - Quality and Standards for Softlines

ABOUT QUINCE 

Founded in 2018, Quince was built to challenge the idea that nice things have to cost a lot. Our mission is simple: to make really high quality essentials for really low prices, produced fairly and sustainably. We believe everyone deserves exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design without the traditional markups. Quince is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model that cuts out middlemen and leverages just-in-time manufacturing to minimize waste and maximize value.

Quince is a tech company disrupting the retail industry by putting AI, analytics and automation at the center of everything we do. Our unwavering commitment to excellence and company values guide our teams and actions:

• Customer First: We prioritize customer satisfaction in every decision.

• High Quality: True quality means premium materials and rigorous production standards you can feel good about.

• Essential Design: We focus on timeless, functional essentials instead of chasing trends.

• Always a Better Deal: Innovation and transparency ensure value for both customers and partners.

• Social & Environmental Responsibility: We commit to sustainable materials, ethical production, and fair wages.

Quince partners with world-class manufacturers across the globe and serves millions of customers. With strong investor backing and a focus on sustainable growth, we are a company that is rapidly scaling while maintaining a commitment to quality, simplicity, and radical price transparency.

OUR TEAM AND SUCCESS 

At Quince, you will be part of a high-performing team that is redefining what quality, value, and sustainability mean in modern retail. We are a destination for builders, innovators, and operators to come together and challenge the status quo. Our collective ambition is bold. We are creating an entirely new category and customer experience – one that democratizes luxury and provides high quality products at radically low prices. That mission demands a world-class team committed to excellence. 

If you are motivated by impact, growth, and purpose, you will find a strong sense of belonging at Quince.

Product Development Manager – Quality and Standards (Softlines)

We’re looking for a Product Development Manager Quality and Standards to join our growing team. In this role, you will  own and implement the performance quality system that governs every stage of development, from New Product Concept (NPC) through Product Launch. At Quince, every detail matters—especially when it comes to long-term product performance.

Success in this position means building and enforcing collection-level quality standards that ensure every product we launch meets Quince’s bar for durability, functionality, and consistency. You’ll define what to test, when to test, and how to make go/no-go decisions based on data—not guesswork. This role plays a critical part in advancing both our team’s goals and Quince’s broader mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own Quality Performance Standards from Concept to Launch – Lead the definition and enforcement of performance quality standards across the full development process—from early product briefs (NPC) through final production approval.
• Set Collection-Level Standards – Write test specification frameworks by product type (e.g., linen shirts, knit joggers, outerwear). Establish clear targets for pilling, shrinkage, tensile strength, colorfastness, seam durability, and other key metrics.
• Build the Testing Standards Library for Product Development – Develop a structured system of performance requirements—organized by product family—with test methods, pass/fail thresholds, and historical benchmarks.
• Define Quality Gates at each Product Development Step – Establish required tests and checkpoints by round (e.g., yarn testing, PPS, TOP). Determine what must pass before proceeding to the next development phase or launch.
• Integrate Testing into Development Workflow – Collaborate with PD, Tech, and Sourcing to ensure performance testing is embedded in calendars, round reviews, and vendor requirements—not treated as a late-stage check.
• Manage Lab Testing in Product Development – Build aligned test panels, coordinate testing timelines, and ensure sample submissions and retests happen on time, tied to each stage of the development cycle.
• Systematize and Scale – Build reusable templates and SOPs for the Quince Product Development team and collaborate with the QA team to ensure QC and Vendor adoption of quality testing frameworks across future collections.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years in product quality, testing, and QA—ideally across apparel, accessories, and/or home
• Ownership experience in building or managing category-level quality specs from concept to launch
• Expertise in ASTM, AATCC, and vendor-facing testing protocols
• Proven ability to set quality standards and interpret test results to make business-critical decisions
• Strong documentation, system design, and cross-functional communication skills
• Analytical, detail-oriented, and able to scale standards through process and tools

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Lifting up to 50 pounds
• Standing and walking throughout the entirety of your shift
• Ability to go up and down stairs, use of ladders throughout the day as needed
• Bending, twisting, or kneeling may be required throughout the day for lifting or maneuvering objects
• May be asked to work outside or travel to shoots off-site as needed

*This role is required to be in office 5 days per week.

WHY QUINCE?

Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY

Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing this accommodation form. We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds

At Quince, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.