Director, Quality Operations, FW

Organized in 1899, VF Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories. Our highly diversified portfolio of brands spans multiple geographies, product categories, consumer demographics and sales channels. VF relies on its Powerful Brands, Powerful Platforms, One VF approach to business to support its brands, maintain its competitive edge and drives a winning company culture 2. Your ROLE with us How You Will Make a Difference As Director, Quality Operations, you will lead quality operations strategy, governance and continuous improvement across the assigned product category. You will ensure consistent execution of VF quality standards, certification programs, standard operating procedures and brand requirements across regions and vendor partners. You will partner with Brand and Distribution Center Quality, Product Development, Sourcing, Technical, Product Stewardship and Planning teams to improve product quality, operational efficiency and total cost of quality. You will use metrics, analytics and factory performance insights to prioritize action, strengthen accountability and enable informed business decisions in a cross-functional, multicultural and matrix environment. What You Will Do Quality Strategy & Governance
- Own quality operations priorities for Footwear and Equipment, including packs and accessories where assigned, and ensure category-relevant standards are translated into effective factory and vendor practices.
- Translate the global Quality Management strategy into clear category priorities, operating plans, roles, decision rights and measurable outcomes.
- Lead category quality operations and partner with regional Quality Management teams to develop, implement and govern consistent SOPs, certification requirements and continuous improvement practices.
- Drive harmonization of quality working practices across Footwear and Equipment to support One VF ways of working while respecting category-specific construction, materials, testing and performance requirements.
- Anticipate emerging quality, manufacturing, consumer and market trends that may affect the category, and recommend appropriate changes to strategy, standards, capabilities and operating models. Process Improvement & Analytics
- Use factory scorecards, KPIs, analytics and risk indicators to identify trends, prioritize resources, strengthen accountability and drive sustained improvement in defect rates and total cost of quality.
- Lead structured problem-solving and preventive quality improvement across product development, commercialization and manufacturing processes.
- Establish effective operating and review rhythms, remove cross-functional roadblocks, simplify workflows and encourage experimentation and continuous improvement.
- Contribute to functional budget and resource planning, and deploy people and capabilities against the highest-priority quality opportunities. FW/EQ Technical Quality & Risk Management
- Bring a deep understanding of Footwear and Equipment manufacturing, materials, construction, testing and production processes to risk assessment, root-cause analysis and preventive action.
- Support the resolution of testing, product-standard and manufacturing-process issues by coordinating the appropriate Quality, Technical, Product Stewardship, Product Development and vendor expertise.
- Partner with Quality, Product Development, Sourcing, Technical, Product Stewardship, Planning and Distribution Center teams to resolve quality risks and ensure products meet specifications and applicable standards.
- Lead the strategic resolution of complex quality and business-practice issues, balancing consumer, brand, operational, cost and risk considerations. Vendor Certification & Capability Development
- Direct the execution and ongoing calibration of the Vendor Certification Program to ensure consistent adherence to VF and brand standards.
- Evaluate source-base quality capability and capacity, identify gaps and improvement opportunities, and support vendor capability building aligned with Apparel sourcing and allocation strategies.
- Strengthen vendor quality capability by providing clear technical direction, manufacturing guidelines, preventive controls and improvement expectations.
- Promote a Quality First mindset and Speak Up culture with associates and vendor partners, encouraging early escalation, transparent dialogue and timely resolution. Strategic Partnership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with Global Footwear and Equipment Product Supply, Brand Product Development, Sourcing Development, Materials, Technical and Costing partners to integrate quality requirements into development, commercialization, allocation and production decisions.
- Act as a strategic business and thought partner across Quality Management, Product Supply, Sourcing, Technical Development and other key stakeholders to