Director, Quality Assurance & Strategy

Description

About Away

We believe travel makes us better. Launched in 2016 with one perfectly designed carry-on, we now offer a range of luggage and travel essentials for every journey. Together we create, innovate, and embark on this journey as a community of travelers, helping to make travel more seamless for everyone.

Join The Crew

We are hiring a Director of Quality Assurance & Strategy to lead our Quality team. This role reports to the Head of Operations and takes Away further by owning the strategic roadmap to optimize our global supply chain. We are looking for a strategic cross-functional partner who can advocate for Quality throughout the organization while prioritizing cost optimization and the post-purchase customer experience. In this role, you will architect the digital infrastructure and customer DIY solutions that define the next era of Away.

What you’ll do as the Director of Quality Assurance & Strategy

Supply Chain Transformation & AI Ownership

You’ll own the evolution of Quality at Away, building a proactive, tech-enabled model that optimizes the entire global supply chain

You’ll identify and champion solutions that bridge the gap between our US-based design vision and Asia-based manufacturing reality

You’ll enable supply chain systems that provide real-time visibility into factory performance, ensuring data drives our manufacturing decisions and are proactive vs reactive

Engineering Innovation & Tooling Strategy

You’ll lead global manufacturing innovation, driving the strategy for equipment, tooling, and retooling with an uncompromising eye on innovation and newness

You’ll design and govern technical excellence standards for our global factory partners, ensuring manufacturing infrastructure is capable of executing Away’s complex product roadmap

You’ll manage the routine testing program, serving as the primary escalation point for quality issues and partnering with US and Asia-based leadership on supplier strategy

You’ll modernize manufacturing capabilities by identifying where manual processes create quality bottlenecks, advocating for targeted automation or tooling upgrades that improve precision and scalability

You’ll partner with global Product Development leadership to direct supplier engagements, ensuring quality benchmarks are met from early-stage development through mass production

Cost Optimization & Value Engineering

You’ll architect and execute a comprehensive 'Cost of Quality' roadmap, leveraging value engineering and predictive testing to optimize the total cost of ownership and drive measurable margin improvements

You’ll revolutionize the Post-Purchase Ecosystem by developing DIY kits and modular product designs that lower return rates, improve customer experience, and reduce environmental impact

You’ll actively seek out product quality improvements to reduce product-related warranty claims, improving repairability of existing and upcoming products, and improving overall customer experience related to product quality

You’ll lead the integration of AI-driven analytics into the product lifecycle, transforming post-purchase data into automated feedback loops that inform future product design and sourcing strategies

Requirements

• You have a minimum of 10 years of experience in Quality leadership with a deep technical background in engineering, with a proven track record of scaling global QMS and modernizing them through technology and data-led innovation
• You possess deep expertise in raw materials and finished goods engineering, with an understanding of the "how" of equipment tooling and retooling
• You have the leadership presence and no-ego collaborative style required to advocate for quality standards across the organization
• You are passionate about cost optimization and value engineering, constantly keeping an eye on ways to reduce warranty claims that improve the customer experience
• You are autonomous and capable of pivoting global strategies or halting production in response to quality risks, ensuring brand integrity is never compromised for the sake of speed
• You are an expert at identifying root-cause trends and prioritizing topics that move the needle
• You are a strong communicator who can drive accountability and partnership across diverse global teams
• You’re creative and innovative; you love to build great new things that are fresh and unique while staying on brand
• You’re agile, and motivated by a fast-paced and ever changing environment
• You’re passionate about transforming travel for all (but that’s a given!)
• Excited to join the team, but not sure you meet all of the qualifications? Please apply, we’d still love to hear from you.
• Who We Are
• We’re travelers. Travel is about the journey - the transformative experiences and the growth each trip offers. All employees are encouraged to take time to get away through our variety of time away from work offerings.
• We’re driven. The work we do matters and collectively drives impact. No matter the job title, everyone at Away is a meaningful contributor in unlocking our ever growing potential.
• We’re supportive. We value the entirety of your life's journey, not just the milestones. You'll find an environment that celebrates balance, understanding that your personal passions and commitments outside of work, are threads of the same fabric that makes you unique.

Conditions

This role is eligible to participate in Away’s Annual Company Performance Incentive Bonus Plan, the terms of which are determined at the discretion of the company

Equity Grant: commensurate with level determined at the discretion of the company

This is an office-based position that works from our Soho, NYC office four days a week. Our working hours are 9am-6pm et, but we embrace a common-sense approach to flexibility in the workplace. It’s about being present, engaged, and balancing work with real-life needs.

Our Commitment

As a company that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Away seeks individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply for this opportunity. We’re creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Our customers are global and diverse, so we’re building a team that is too. Through initiatives like our Employee Resource Groups, anti-racism training, and bias prevention initiatives, we’re building the cultural foundation that gives people the emotional and physical space to bring their authentic selves to work.

EEOC Statement:

Away is dedicated to hiring a diverse workplace that celebrates an inclusive culture and a sense of belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran status, genetic information or disability.

Away is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talent@awaytravel.com.

Benefits

• Our total rewards are inclusive of both compensation and benefits. What we offer within a salary range is dependent on a number of factors, including scope and qualifications for the role, skillset, and balancing internal equity relative to other Away employees. Salary and benefit offerings are reviewed during phone screenings to ensure alignment.
• Take care of yourself and your family through our health insurance offerings
• Invest in your future by participating in our 401(k) (with a company match!)
• Find balance through our many paid time off programs (vacation, wellbeing, holidays, summer Fridays, and compassion leave - just to name a few!)
• Build your travel uniform through discount codes, product stipends, and giveaways
• Give back through company-sponsored volunteer and charitable opportunities