The Technical Quality Control Specialist – Footwear is responsible for ensuring that all footwear meets the company’s standards for safety, compliance, quality, fit, and durability. This role oversees technical quality throughout the product lifecycle, from initial sampling through to final delivery to stores. Key responsibilities include establishing product specifications, reviewing and approving fit and pre-production samples, and working closely with suppliers to identify and resolve quality issues at each stage of the approval process.

The role works collaboratively with Buying, Product Development, Overseas Inspection teams, and stores to ensure consistent product quality and compliance with established standards. The Technical Quality Control Specialist has the authority to place products on hold or reject them when they fail to meet the company’s quality, safety, or compliance requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Write and maintain technical specifications and quality standards manual for footwear (materials, construction, components, packaging and labelling)

· Review and deliver timely approvals on fabrics qualities, fits and pre-production samples; issue clear, photo-backed comments to suppliers

· Plan and manage the factory audits, and production inline and final random inspections using AQL sampling

· Review and interpret the audit/inspection results to the buying team; issue corrective action requests and follow through until fixes are verified

· File and organize the samples and quality standards

· Understand and coordinate the needs of the testing requirements when needed by product type and material (e.g. sole adhesion, flex resistance, abrasion, slip resistance, colourfastness, heel attachment) to meet Canadian and USA compliance regulation





· Support the buying team to analyze customer product complaints, returns and store feedback to spot defects by style, supplier and construction

· Adhere to corporate health and safety policy requirements that contribute to a safe workplace

· Any other related duties as assigned

Working Conditions:

· Office environment

Qualifications:

· 5+ years in footwear quality control, technical development, at a retailer, brand, agent or factories

· Diploma or degree in footwear technology, materials science, engineering, fashion technology or a related field, or equivalent experience

· Solid knowledge of footwear construction (cemented, Strobel, vulcanized, injection-molded) and materials (leather, synthetics, textiles, rubber, EVA, PU, TPR)

· Working knowledge of AQL sampling/inspection and quality systems

· Familiarity with Canadian product safety rules and chemical restrictions; knowledge of US (CPSIA, Prop 65) or EU (REACH) rules is an asset

· Comfortable with Excel and building quality dashboards

Related Work Skills:

· Clear, efficient communicator who can work and push back on suppliers and internal teams when quality is at risk

· Strong analytical skills

· Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

· Proven ability to work well under pressure and meet all deadlines

· Solid ability to develop teams and partnerships

· Ability to take initiative

· Effective time management and multitasking skills

· Excellent mathematical and inventory management skills

· Excellent written and oral communication skills

· Understands business goals and works closely with key leadership to strategize

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Company events
- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Store discount
- Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate:

- North York, ON M6A 2W1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Technical Quality Control Specialist - Footwear (North York)
🏢 YM
📍 North York