ABOUT QUINCE
Quince is a destination for builders, creators, innovators, and operators who want to come together and challenge the status quo. Our mission is simple: make really high quality essentials for really low prices, fairly and sustainably. We deliver on that mission through a unique manufacturer-to-consumer (M2C) model eliminating the layers of traditional retail that add cost and result in consumers paying more than they need to. We find, build relationships with, and work directly with the manufacturing partners behind some of the world’s finest products. From there, our teams design smart, efficient operational processes and build and deploy proprietary technology, AI, and analytics to help us scale fast.
What began with a small assortment of elevated basics has quickly grown into a cross-category brand spanning apparel, accessories, home goods, and more. Today, tens of millions of people across a growing number of countries come – and return – to Quince because they trust us to deliver.
OUR CULTURE
Quince is a culture built for builders by builders. Our way of working starts with a blank sheet of paper. We question conventional thinking, use technology and data to uncover new opportunities, and move quickly to turn ideas into reality. We aren’t interested in replicating how others do retail. We’re building a better way – at a speed and scale unlike anything that’s been done before.
- We dream big and chase the hard problems others shy away from. Rejecting long-held assumptions is part of our company's DNA. Where conventional wisdom says you have to choose – soft or durable, speed or rigor, quality or price – we ask why that trade-off has to exist in the first place.
- Our pace is fast and the bar is high because our customers expect a lot from us and we refuse to let them down. We believe the best results come from challenging ourselves, learning from one another, and building on each other's strengths.
- Here, responsibility is not determined by role, tenure, or seniority. Every team member - no matter their level - has the opportunity to drive our business and shape our trajectory.
If you’re someone who likes to imagine new possibilities and build better systems rather than plug-in to outdated ones, Quince is the place for you.
THE ROLE
Production Art & Digitizing Lead
As the Production Art & Digitizing Lead, you are the final quality check for all artwork before it goes to production. Our B2B facility decorates 5,000 items a day using five different methods: embroidery, heat transfer, embossing, sew-in tags, and luggage printing. You are responsible for making sure every design file is flawless, correctly formatted, and ready to be produced perfectly.
Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will evaluate incoming artwork, digitize embroidery designs at production speed to prepare file specs for all decoration types, establish art standards and QC checkpoints, manage vendors, mentor junior staff, and track KPIs tied to art quality. At 99% QA, art quality determines whether we ship or rework.
This is a fully on-site role, Monday through Friday during regular business hours in Santa Fe Springs, CA.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate all incoming artwork for production readiness — assess resolution, color mode, file format, specs across all 5 decoration types; reject non-conforming art with actionable feedback.
- Digitize & process embroidery designs at production speed — create stitch files optimized for garment/placement/machine; managing 5,000 embroidery units/day.
- Prepare file specs for all decoration types — color separations for heat transfer, specs for embossing/tags/print; optimize for production machinery.
- Enforce zero tolerance on art defects — identify & block at-risk files before production floor; track root causes and escalate to Production Lead.
- Own Art Specification Standard — document all decoration type requirements, best practices, machine constraints; update quarterly.
- Build & maintain file library — 500+ approved production files (logos, designs, separations); enable faster repeat order turnaround.
- Establish QC checkpoints — define stitch ranges, density rules, quality gates for each decoration type.
- Mentor & train junior staff — onboard 1–2 junior digitizers/coordinators; conduct daily stand-ups during ramp; develop training for production teams.
- Manage vendors — negotiate SLAs with external digitizing vendors; monitor quality, escalate issues.
- Track & report KPIs — own Art Rejection Rate, File Rework Rate, Digitizing Turnaround, File Quality Audit, Art-Related Defect Rate, Client Revision Cycles; report weekly to Production Lead.
Qualifications
Required:
- 5+ years of hands-on embroidery digitizing & art prep in high-volume apparel/B2B production.
- Expert-level digitizing software experience (Pulse, Wilcom, Hatch) — fast, clean, run-ready output without errors.
- Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop at production level — file optimization, color separations, print production.
- Experience with proven art workflows at scale.
- Deep embroidery machine knowledge — stitch limits, constraints, thread color, garment interactions.
- Screen print color sep, DTG file optimization, heat transfer specs.
- Ability to troubleshoot art production failures & implement corrective changes.
- Leadership/mentoring experience — comfortable training junior staff & establishing standards.
- Vendor relationship management & SLA negotiation.
- Detail-oriented; can manage multiple complex workflows without errors.
- Clear and professional communicator — can explain art issues to clients & production teams.
Preferred:
- Art operations management or QA/production coordination experience.
- Industrial embroidery machine operation (Tajima, Barudan, Melco, etc).
- Production metrics & KPI reporting experience.
- WMS systems & order-based production scheduling exposure.
- Working proficiency of Spanish a plus.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- This is a fully on-site role, present on the production floor Monday through Friday during shift hours.
- Ability to stand and walk the production floor for the duration of a shift (8+ hours).
- Lifting up to 40 pounds — moving garment boxes, supplies, and equipment.
- Ability to work in a production environment with machinery noise, ink, and chemical exposure (PPE provided).
All posted ranges are reflective of base salary and may vary depending upon experience level and location. Bonus and equity may also be provided for eligible roles.
WHY QUINCE?
Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY
Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing this accommodation form. We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds
At Quince, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.
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