Specialist-Product Quality & Safety

Join a collaborative and innovative team within the Merchandising division, Private Brands category, dedicated to delivering safe, compliant, and high-quality products across North America-including Canada. Our mission is to uphold the integrity of Staples Brand Group by integrating quality, safety, and compliance standards throughout every stage of the product lifecycle.

The Specialist - Product Quality & Safety plays a pivotal role in supporting the end-to-end lifecycle of Staples Brand Group products. You will partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure products consistently meet established quality standards, regulatory requirements, and exceed customer expectations. This position independently manages workstreams, proactively identifies risks, and drives solutions that protect our business and strengthen our brand reputation.

What you'll be doing:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams-including Category Development, Engineering, Operations, Sourcing, Legal, Sustainability, and Risk Management-to integrate product quality, safety, and compliance requirements across the product lifecycle.
• Coordinate product testing, inspection, and validation activities to ensure adherence to internal standards and regulatory requirements.
• Support early-stage product development by participating in design reviews, risk assessments, and specification validation.
• Analyze product quality data, identify trends, and recommend mitigation actions to reduce defects, returns, and customer complaints.
• Conduct root cause analysis and assist in implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Maintain compliance documentation, certifications, and technical files; support regulatory reporting and assist with internal/external audits.

• Monitor evolving regulatory requirements and maintain compliance tracking tools to identify risks and ensure readiness.
• Lead or coordinate discrete project workstreams and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives enhancing product quality, safety, and supplier performance.

What you bring to the table:

• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills, with the ability to partner effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Effective problem-solving and analytical thinking, using data-driven insights to drive quality improvements.
• Proactive, customer-focused mindset dedicated to product excellence and reliability.
• Adaptability and a continuous improvement orientation to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills for handling multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills, translating technical concepts into actionable insights for business partners.

What's needed- Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in product quality, product safety, compliance, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience supporting product quality, safety, or compliance programs in manufacturing, retail, or consumer products.
• Experience using quality tools (e.g., root cause analysis, CAPA, defect tracking).
• Experience coordinating product testing, inspections, or validation activities.
• Basic knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements relevant to consumer products.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

What's needed- Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience analyzing product quality data (returns, defects, customer feedback) and identifying trends.
• Professional certifications such as ASQ CQE (Certified Quality Engineer)
• Experience with advanced problem-solving methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement initiatives and supplier accountability programs.
• Experience in the retail or consumer goods industry.

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
• 22 days of PTO and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays + 1 floating holiday)
• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate''s experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.

Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.