Sr. Partner Quality Manager (Third Party Vendors)

About the Company

Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.

Role Summary

The Sr. Partner Quality Manager (3^rd party vendors) ensures that all Topps and Fanatics Collectibles products are manufactured to the highest standards of quality, integrity, and timeliness. This position focuses on print, finishing, and packout quality at external partners; interfaces with internal product development teams and the broader external supply chain; and reports directly to the Vice President of Quality Assurance and Compliance.

• This position is based in Sunrise, Florida, at a Fanatics external partner location (Mittera) and requires an on-site presence.
• Ability to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime, based on production demands.
• Trading card or collectibles manufacturing experience is highly preferred.
• Travel up to 50% is required to support additional external partners, press approvals, pack outs, audits, and other production needs. Approved travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with company policy.

Experience/Education:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 10+ years in quality assurance in commercial print and packaging
• 5+ years in a supervisory or management role

Quality Assurance Experience:

• Experience in developing and maintaining quality control systems
• Proven ability to implement quality assurance and ensure compliance within set standards
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally to define quality parameters and align SOPs, work instructions, training materials, and implementation plans.
• Experience conducting quality process audits and addressing quality issues at external partner locations.

 Print Experience:

• Extensive experience in commercial printing, coatings, and post-press embellishments, including cold foil, films, and embossing
• Expert knowledge of commercial print standards regarding color management in digital, conventional and UV printing.
• Proven track record of managing quality operations and meeting production targets related to on-time delivery and adherence to quality standards.
• Experience managing print and press approvals at external partner locations, including color, registration, stock, coatings, embellishments, and overall product appearance.
• Experience providing on-site quality oversight during packout operations to ensure finished products meet approved specifications, quality standards, and release requirements.

Management Experience:

• Significant experience in a managerial or supervisory role within a busy manufacturing setting
• Experience directly managing, developing, and holding a team accountable for performance.
• Proven ability to manage and optimize resources effectively

Process Improvement Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in process improvement and optimization
• Track record of implementing successful process improvement initiatives

 Collaboration and Cross-Functional Experience:

• Experience working with cross-functional teams to achieve production goals.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with other departments, such as engineering, quality assurance, and supply chain.
• Experience managing external partner relationships

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

 Supervision and Leadership:

• Ensure external partners have clear direction regarding quality standards and parameters.
• Ability to troubleshoot production issues and implement effective solutions on-site at external partner locations, including issues involving prepress files, proofing, stock, and product specifications.
• Strong decision-making capabilities
• Innovative thinking to improve current production processes
• Proven ability to lead and influence external partners
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Conflict resolution and team-building abilities
• Strong organizational and time management skills

Quality Control:

• Attend product engineering and BOM (Bill of Materials) reviews, evaluate risks and inefficiencies, and communicate with the product development team to drive efficiency, meet quality standards, provide cost and time savings.
• Ability to implement and monitor quality assurance programs
• Works cross-functionally to manage on-site and in-process quality assurance checks for all WIP and finished goods across the supply chain.
• Collaborate with the Fanatics Collectibles team to identify supply-chain challenges and develop and execute plans to address ongoing external partner issues.
• Collaborates with design, innovation, prepress, and scheduling to meet quality expectations regarding stock, color and the overall expected aesthetic of printed sheets.
• Implement and enforce quality audits, standards, procedures, and process controls at external partner locations.
• Inspect and audit physical products to ensure they meet established quality specifications.
• Identify and resolve production and quality issues within the time frame required by the production schedule.
• Strong understanding of applicable quality and commercial printing standards.
• Manage and approve on-site print and press production at external partner locations, ensuring output meets approved proofs, specifications, color standards, and product requirements.
• Provide on-site oversight of partner packout operations, including verification of product configuration, packaging components, labeling, quantities, and finished-product quality.
• Document approval decisions, communicate deviations, and escalate quality or production risks that could affect product integrity, schedule, or release dates.

Production Management:

• Works with scheduling, project management, and engineering teams to ensure print and finishing processes are on schedule to support product release dates
• Coordinate travel and on-site coverage based on partner production schedules, press approvals, packout activity, product launches, and identified quality risks.
• Coordinates with other departments to ensure smooth workflow and efficient production

Safety and Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and company standards for all printed work
• Knowledge of ISO standards and regulatory compliance

Continuous Improvement:

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve production processes, efficiency, quality, and waste reduction.
• Develop and coordinate cost-reduction and efficiency-improvement projects at external partner locations.
• Develop and revise standard operating procedures and quality control processes in partnership with external partners and internal subject matter experts to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Maintain accurate and current records of production activities and initiatives, including output, quality performance, inventory levels, and program implementation.
• Support KPI reporting and analysis related to quality, scrap, efficiency, equipment utilization, and headcount utilization.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Inform the direct manager of any planned or unplanned absence from the assigned work schedule.
• Facilitate effective communication between production teams and supporting departments, including engineering, quality assurance, finance, scheduling, logistics, security, and safety.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss and resolve production issues
• Maintain open and constant communication about all department matters with the direct manager

Performance Metrics:

• Track and analyze key performance indicators to measure production performance, support informed decisions, and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide quarterly external partner scorecards covering capacity, communication, spend, on-time delivery, and quality defects.

Additional Skills:

• Proficient in manufacturing software (e.g., ERP systems like SAP, Oracle).
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Ability to analyze and interpret production data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Strong understanding of process optimization and efficiency improvement

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the manufacturing facility
• Ability to lift and carry materials and equipment weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Regular bending, stooping, and kneeling to monitor machinery, inspect WIP, and handle materials.
• Compliance with all safety protocols and regulations regarding PPE usage (including safety glasses, gloves, ear protection, etc.) as needed.
• Exposure to a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, noise levels, and potential hazards.
• Tolerance for working in conditions that may include dust, fumes, and strong odors.
• Ability to remain alert and focused during long shifts and high-pressure situations.

Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don’t fall victim to fraud.  Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics email address (including @collectfanatics.com).  For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers