Head of QC

Our Place•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

Our Place is hiring a hands-on, execution-focused Head of QC to plan and run quality control activities across its supply chain in China. The role leads the China-based QA/QC team, scales inspection capacity with trained third-party inspectors when needed, and owns the 100% QC and retailer inspection work required for Costco and business-development (BD) programs. The position splits time between Los Angeles and factory floors and serves as a bridge between the US team and the China QC team. The Head of QC owns inspection planning for every purchase order and factory, including incoming, in-line, pre-shipment, final, 100% QC, and container-loading checks. The role plans inspection schedules around production timelines and cargo-ready dates, forecasts inspector capacity, and applies sampling plans and rules from the Supplier Quality Manual. It also manages and coaches the China QA/QC team, oversees inspector training and calibration, coordinates retailer programs and third-party inspection providers, resolves non-conformances, and maintains inspection reporting in Qarma. The successful candidate will help ensure inspections are scheduled and staffed before production, retailer shipments pass inspection, third-party capacity is ready for peak volume, reports are complete and timely, and inspectors grade defects consistently. The position is based in Los Angeles or requires willingness to relocate there, and involves travel of 25% or more, including extended periods in China.

Requirements

At least 8 years of QC or QA experience for consumer products made in China.
At least 3 years leading inspection teams.
Small kitchen appliance experience.
Fluent spoken and written English and Mandarin.
Hands-on skill with AQL sampling, inspection checklists, golden samples, first article inspection, non-conformance reports, 8D, and factory audits.
Experience running retailer QC programs and managing third-party inspection firms.
Ability to perform appliance safety and function tests and cookware material tests, and to read specifications and drawings.
Strong planning and organizational skills, with experience using data and tools such as Qarma or similar systems and spreadsheets.
Based in Los Angeles or willing to relocate.
Able to travel 25% or more, including extended periods in China.

Nice To Haves

Cookware experience.
Experience with Costco retailer QC programs.

Responsibilities

Build and own a rolling QC calendar for every purchase order and factory, covering incoming (IQC), in-line, pre-shipment, final, 100% QC, and container-loading inspections.
Coordinate inspection timing with production schedules and cargo-ready dates, forecast inspector capacity weeks ahead, and use temporary staff and third-party inspectors to prevent QC from delaying shipments.
Set and apply sampling plans according to the Supplier Quality Manual, including ANSI/ASQ Z1.4, General Inspection Level II, AQL 0 / 1.5 / 4.0 for critical, major, and minor defects, special levels S-2 and S-4, and tightened, reduced, and skip-lot rules.
Manage, coach, and schedule the China QA/QC team of three QC inspectors and one QA engineer; set daily priorities and review inspection reports.
Train inspectors on product-specific checklists, golden samples, defect classification, and functional and safety tests.
Conduct regular calibration sessions so in-house and third-party inspectors classify defects consistently.
Plan and run QC for Costco and BD programs end to end, including 100% QC, factory training, sample-selection support, and coordination with retailer-appointed inspection and testing firms.
Coordinate with Supply Chain to include retailer QC and testing time in production schedules.
Recruit, qualify, train, and audit third-party QC providers; manage their scheduling, costs, and report quality.
Issue non-conformance reports, lead containment within 24 hours, decide on rework, sorting, or rejection with QA and Supply Chain, and track supplier corrective actions through closure.
Flag quality risks to ship dates early and provide options; keep factory in-line QC and production control plans aligned with company standards.
Own inspection data in Qarma, ensuring reports are complete and on time and maintaining defect paretos and supplier pass rates.
Publish a weekly English-language QC report for US and China teams covering schedules, results, open issues, and risks.
Work with QA and Engineering to incorporate field and customer issues into inspection checklists.

Benefits

Competitive pay and equity.
Eligible full-time team members may participate in a discretionary annual bonus plan.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Generous paid time off and synchronized time off.
$500 per year for learning and development.
Optional 401(k) plan.
Team member discount and an annual Our Place gift card, as well as company products for the home.
Office with a creative studio, multiple kitchens, and space for collaboration.
Catered Tuesday lunches.
Team events, activities, and an annual company retreat.