About Fellow
We believe that the act of making should be meaningful and fulfilling, done with intention and precision. Fellow makes beautifully functional tools for any kitchen, designed in San Francisco and used around the world. When the simple motions of life become small moments of joy, that's Everyday Magic.™
We're looking for a VP of Manufacturing & Quality that is central to Fellow's success, leading and optimizing all key quality and sustaining functions. This includes Quality Management, Manufacturing Test, Sustaining Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Compliance Support. This role demands a strategic and hands-on leader who can develop and execute quality strategies that support Fellow's rapid growth and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.
This is a hands-on leadership position where you will build and lead quality teams in the US and China. This position requires flexible scheduling, with overlap during U.S. Pacific business hours and occasional evening collaboration with Asia-based teams.
This role reports to the Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO).
This role is based in our San Francisco, CA office and requires regular in-office presence in accordance with company policy.
What You'll Do
- Leadership and Strategy: Develop and execute a cohesive quality vision and strategy that aligns with Fellow's business objectives. Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making. Champion quality excellence across the organization, focusing on efficiency, scalability, product reliability, and customer satisfaction. Wake up every day thinking about how to make our existing products better.
- Quality Management: Define quality metrics and drive the data analytics team to establish and maintain effective dashboards for monitoring performance. Implement and maintain a robust quality management system (QMS) to ensure all products meet Fellow's premium standards. Set up long-term reporting metrics from suppliers and oversee quality control processes throughout the supply chain.
- Sustaining Engineering: Prioritize fixes for organizational resolution and direct sustaining engineers to solve ongoing problems. Guide failure analysis of field issues and handle firefighting for urgent sustaining challenges. Focus on continuous improvement of our product lines to address constant sustaining issues.
- Supplier and Manufacturer Quality: Push manufacturers and suppliers to improve their testing, quality coverage, and manufacturing processes. Hold suppliers accountable to key quality metrics, driving proper reporting and feedback.
- Manufacturing Engineering & Test: Own our end of line testing to ensure proper coverage of devices to uphold our strongest quality standards. Work closely with the engineering team to identify potential failure points and instill a robust test process to mitigate issues.
- Compliance Support: Support compliance efforts, initially through the development and maintenance of regulatory dashboards, ensuring adherence to relevant standards.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Quality Management, Supply Chain, or equivalent professional experience.
- Master's Degree or MBA preferred.
- 12+ years of experience in quality engineering and sustaining roles, ideally with consumer electronics, kitchen appliances, or similar products.
- Thorough understanding of quality metrics, QMS implementation, and the full product lifecycle, from development to post-launch support.
- Proven track record of improving product quality and resolving sustaining issues in high-volume manufacturing.
- Strong leadership skills, with experience managing multidisciplinary teams (quality assurance, sustaining engineering, and supplier quality).
- Experience working with Asia-based contract manufacturers and global suppliers for quality improvements.
- Highly analytical with strong data analysis skills and the ability to extract insights from complex data sets, including dashboard development.
- Problem-solver who thrives on challenges and firefighting in fast-paced environments.
Why You'll Love This Role
- Competitive compensation including employee equity plan.
- Generous paid time off plan.
- 401k with company contribution after 6 months of employment.
- Medical/dental/vision insurance.
- Better Yourself Wellness credit & Better Your Community donation matching.
- Monthly Fitness Stipend.
- Summer Fridays.
- Paid Parental Leave.
- Generous discount on Fellow products.
- Best coffee anywhere.
Salary Range: $200,000 - $240,000. Plus, bonus and equity package.
Our highest goal at Fellow is creating a safe, inclusive, and rewarding environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and thrive. We are committed to building diverse teams and strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
Fellow is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
