Quality Control Lead
Position Summary
The Quality Control Lead is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving Verellen's quality management and inspection processes across furniture manufacturing operations. This position establishes clear, measurable quality standards and works collaboratively with Product Development, Engineering, Production, and other departments to ensure Verellen products consistently meet expectations for craftsmanship, construction, appearance, functionality, and overall quality.
This role is intended to be proactive rather than solely inspection based. The Quality Control Lead will help prevent defects by establishing quality requirements during product development, implementing in-process quality checkpoints, analyzing recurring issues, identifying root causes, and coordinating corrective and preventive actions.
The successful candidate will combine hands-on knowledge of furniture manufacturing with strong problem-solving, documentation, communication, and leadership skills. The Quality Control Lead is expected to serve as a resource and coach to the organization while building a culture in which quality is owned throughout the manufacturing process.
Quality Standards & Systems
- Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve Verellen's quality control standards, procedures, and inspection processes.
- Establish clear and measurable quality expectations for furniture construction, dimensions, materials, finishes, upholstery, appearance, functionality, and workmanship.
- Define acceptable tolerances and ranges for natural variations in materials, including wood, leather, fabric, stone, metal, and other components where applicable.
- Develop and maintain inspection criteria, checklists, visual standards, approved reference samples, specifications, and other quality documentation.
- Ensure quality standards remain current as products, materials, suppliers, equipment, and manufacturing processes change.
Manufacturing Quality and Inspection
- Establish effective quality checkpoints throughout the manufacturing process to identify and correct issues as early as possible.
- Conduct regular product, process, and workmanship audits to verify compliance with established standards.
- Evaluate finished products and in-process work for construction, appearance, dimensions, functionality, workmanship, and conformance to specifications.
- Identify conditions that may contribute to defects, rework, production delays, or inconsistent product quality.
- Partner with Production leadership to address quality concerns without unnecessarily disrupting workflow or productivity.
New Product Development
- Partner with Product Development and Engineering to establish quality requirements during new product development, prototyping, testing, and production launches.
- Review new products and processes for potential manufacturing or quality risks before full production.
- Assist in establishing measurable specifications, tolerances, inspection requirements, and visual standards for new products.
- Provide manufacturing-quality feedback during prototype and pre-production reviews.
Quality Data, Metrics, & Continuous Improvement
- Develop and maintain meaningful quality metrics, including defects, rework, scrap, recurring issues, first-pass quality, and other relevant performance indicators.
- Analyze quality data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement.
- Prepare routine quality reports and communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to leadership.
- Use data and observations to prioritize quality improvement initiatives based on customer impact, frequency, cost, and operational risk.
- Partner with department leaders to implement practical improvements that increase consistency, reduce defects and rework, and improve overall product quality.
Training & Quality Culture
- Develop and deliver training on quality standards, inspection methods, workmanship expectations, and quality procedures.
- Coach employees and department leaders on identifying quality concerns and taking appropriate corrective action.
- Promote the expectation that quality is the responsibility of every employee and should be built into the manufacturing process rather than inspected only at completion.
- Provide clear, constructive, and consistent feedback regarding quality expectations and areas requiring improvement.
- Support accountability for established standards while maintaining collaborative relationships across departments.
Documentation & Systems
- Maintain accurate and current quality standards, specifications, inspection records, corrective-action documentation, and related records.
- Ensure applicable quality information is properly maintained within the Company's ERP and other relevant systems.
- Develop practical documentation and reporting processes that allow quality information to be easily understood, accessed, and used by appropriate employees.
- Maintain appropriate records to support traceability, trend analysis, training, and continuous improvement.
Required Qualifications
- Experience in furniture manufacturing, woodworking, upholstery, fabrication, finishing, or a closely related manufacturing environment.
- Strong working knowledge of furniture construction, materials, manufacturing processes, and craftsmanship standards.
- Demonstrated ability to identify defects, inconsistencies, workmanship concerns, and potential quality risks.
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, including experience identifying root causes and implementing effective corrective actions.
- Ability to develop clear quality standards, specifications, inspection procedures, checklists, documentation, and training materials.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow issues through resolution.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with Production, Engineering, Product Development, Management, and other functional areas.
- Ability to train, coach, and influence employees at multiple levels of the organization.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications for tracking, documentation, analysis, and reporting.
- Ability and willingness to effectively utilize the Company's ERP and other applicable business systems.
- Ability to balance quality requirements with practical manufacturing considerations, including productivity, cost, materials, lead times, and production capabilities.
- Self-directed and capable of taking ownership of quality initiatives with appropriate follow-through and accountability.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in a quality lead, quality technician, quality supervisor, manufacturing lead, or similar role.
- Experience with root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, continuous improvement, and process auditing.
- Experience establishing or improving a quality control program within a manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing, 5S, or other continuous-improvement methodologies.
- Experience analyzing defects, scrap, rework, warranty, or customer-quality data.
- Experience within high-end, custom, or upholstered furniture manufacturing is strongly preferred.
Key Competencies
- Attention to Detail
- Quality & Craftsmanship Focus
- Problem Solving & Root-Cause Analysis
- Accountability & Follow-Through
- Continuous Improvement
- Communication & Collaboration
- Training & Coaching
- Organization & Documentation
- Sound Judgment
- Initiative & Ownership
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
This position operates primarily within a furniture manufacturing environment and requires regular presence on the production floor.
- Ability to regularly walk and stand throughout manufacturing and warehouse areas.
- Ability to bend, reach, crouch, and position oneself as necessary to inspect furniture, materials, components, and manufacturing processes.
- Ability to visually inspect products for workmanship, finish, color, alignment, dimensions, upholstery, and other quality characteristics.
- Ability to safely work around manufacturing equipment, tools, materials, dust, noise, and other conditions normally associated with furniture manufacturing.
- Ability to lift, move, or assist with handling materials or components as reasonably necessary to perform inspections, consistent with applicable safety requirements.
Performance Expectations
Success in this position will be measured by the effectiveness of Verellen's quality systems and the individual's ability to:
- Establish clear and consistently understood quality standards.
- Identify and address quality issues earlier in the manufacturing process.
- Reduce recurring defects, rework, and preventable quality failures.
- Improve consistency in product construction, appearance, and workmanship.
- Provide reliable quality data and actionable information to leadership.
- Successfully implement and verify corrective actions.
- Strengthen employee understanding and ownership of quality expectations.
- Support the delivery of products that consistently reflect Verellen's standards of craftsmanship and quality.
Travel
Possible, but infrequent if any.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Verellen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may be modified or assigned based on business needs.
VERELLEN CORE VALUES
At Verellen, we are guided by our Core Values in everything we do. Employees are expected to demonstrate these values through their daily actions, teamwork, and commitment to excellence.
BE GENUINE
We show up as our true selves; reliable, honest, and grounded. We keep our word and build trust through consistency and care.
A SENSE OF PRIDE
We craft with care and attention to detail, proud of the quality and effort in every piece. Our pride is not ego—it’s the signature we leave behind.
HUMBLY CONFIDENT
We stand grounded and confident, yet open to learning and growth. Our quiet strength comes from humility, not ego.
GRIT & PERSEVERANCE
We push forward with passion and persistence; committing fully, adapting when needed, and never settling for “good enough.”
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
We notice the good and say it loud. Gratitude shapes how we work, how we care, and how we have grown together as one.
STAY CURIOUS
Curiosity fuels us. We ask, explore, and challenge, finding inspiration everywhere and staying alive in our craft and hearts.
Pay: $26.42 - $31.82 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
