Manager - QA Lab

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Mindful movement is at the core of why we do what we do at ALO—it’s our calling. Because mindful movement in the studio leads to better living, it changes who yogis are off the mat, making their lives and their communities better. That’s the real meaning of studio‑to‑street: taking the consciousness from practice on the mat and putting it into practice in life.

This role leads the daily operations of the in‑house textile testing laboratories. The manager ensures all testing is completed accurately, on time, and in line with corporate, regulatory, and customer standards. The role also oversees technician training, equipment management, test method alignment, and documentation for both locations.

• Manage day‑to‑day workflow for all textile and apparel test requests, including AATCC, ASTM, ISO, and internal methods.
• Review and release test reports with clear, data‑driven conclusions.
• Set turnaround expectations and ensure on‑time delivery of results for development, production, and quality teams.
• Maintain sample traceability and follow established lab SOPs.

• Ensure testing methods are followed consistently across both U.S. and Nicaragua labs.
• Validate and update standard operating procedures as methods evolve.
• Train lab technicians on new test methods, equipment handling, safety practices, and documentation.
• Support troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis for test failures and product issues.

• Oversee all lab equipment, including installation, calibration, and preventive maintenance.
• Maintain calibration and maintenance records to support audits and customer requirements.
• Recommend new equipment based on business needs and testing capability gaps.

• Make sure the lab meets internal quality system standards and external requirements such as AATCC, ASTM, ISO 17025 principles (if applicable).
• Prepare labs for internal and external audits.
• Maintain proper sample handling, recordkeeping, and data integrity practices.

• Partner with Product Development, Production, QA, Compliance, and Sourcing teams on testing needs and timelines.
• Provide technical guidance during material selection, mill evaluations, vendor approvals, and performance claim validation.
• Support global quality programs by generating testing data and trend analysis.

• Lead, coach, and schedule technicians in both locations.
• Define performance expectations and support growth and development.
• Coordinate staffing, training, and workload balancing between the two labs.

• Ensure labs follow all safety protocols, including chemical handling, PPE, and emergency procedures.
• Keep lab areas organized, clean, and audit‑ready.

• Bachelor’s degree in textiles, textile chemistry, materials science, chemistry, or a related field.
• 5–8 years of lab experience in apparel, textiles, or materials testing.
• Hands‑on experience with AATCC and ASTM methods (washability, color fastness, pilling, bursting strength, dimensional stability, etc.).
• Strong understanding of global regulatory requirements and performance standards.
• Experience managing technicians and daily lab operations.
• Solid analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience managing multi‑site labs or offshore teams.
• Familiarity with ISO 17025 or other quality management systems.
• Knowledge of equipment such as Launder‑O‑Meter, pilling box, Martindale, tensile/tear testers, spectrophotometers, environmental chambers, and standard laundry equipment.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is helpful.

The base salary range for this position is $80,000–$110,000 per year. Actual salaries may vary based on location, experience, and performance. Other rewards may include performance bonuses, long‑term incentives, a PTO policy, and many other progressive benefits.

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Seniority level:
Mid‑Senior;

Employment type:

Full‑time;
Job function:
Quality Assurance;
Industries:
Retail Apparel and Fashion.