Colorist

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 If you’re someone who likes to imagine new possibilities and build better systems rather than plug-in to outdated ones, Quince is the place for you.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 Textile Colorist The role at Quince is responsible for the precise development, matching, and management of color across all stages of textile production — from initial design concept to final bulk manufacturing. Their work ensures that every finished product meets the designer's vision and Quince's brand standards for premium quality at accessible prices. The role blends technical expertise with aesthetic judgment and strong communication skills, acting as a crucial link between design, production, and global suppliers. Responsibilities Color Development and Formulation • Partner with dye houses and mills to optimize dyeing processes across multiple substrate types (cotton, cashmere, linen, synthetics, blends, and leather). • Explore and pilot sustainable color alternatives, including plant-based dyes, low-impact pigments, and water-saving dyeing technologies. Color Evaluation and Approval • Evaluate lab dips (small samples) and bulk production runs to approve or reject them based on color accuracy and consistency. • Use both visual assessment (trained eye) and instrumental methods — spectrophotometers, light booths, and color management software — to ensure colors fall within strict ΔE tolerance limits. • Monitor and approve color consistency across different materials, production lots, and product categories (apparel, bags, footwear, accessories). • Lead blind color panels with design, merchandising, and customer focus groups to validate luxury color perception before commercialization. Maintaining Color Standards and Data • Build and maintain comprehensive color libraries, digital databases, and physical standards for each season and collection. • Manage tools like Pantone references, tracking charts, continuity books, and PLM records to ensure consistency across all product components (fabrics, trims, zippers, hardware). • Assign unique color IDs with associated metadata: dye formulation, substrate compatibility, Lab values, ΔE tolerance, fastness ratings, cost tier, and MOQ. • Establish a "retired colors" archive to preserve historical references and prevent costly re-development of discontinued shades. Cross-Functional Collaboration • Serve as the central point of communication for all color-related matters, providing technical expertise and clear direction to design, product development, and production teams. • Communicate daily with domestic and overseas mills, dye houses, and suppliers to give precise, actionable feedback on color samples and troubleshoot issues in real time. • Translate design and merchandising color visions into clear, manufacturable technical briefs for suppliers. Quality Assurance and Troubleshooting • Ensure color performs as intended across real-world use cases by monitoring for quality issues such as: • Side-to-side shading and batch-to-batch variation • Metamerism (colors matching under one light source but not another) • Fastness failures (fading or bleeding after washing, rubbing, light exposure, or perspiration) • Investigate and resolve shade variations and batch discrepancies that arise during production, working closely with suppliers to implement corrective actions. • Drive continuous improvement in color quality and consistency across the entire supply chain. Qualifications Required • Degree in Textile Chemistry, Color Science, Dyeing Engineering, Material Science, Fashion Merchandising, or related field. • 5+ years of experience in color development, dyeing, or coloration for apparel, accessories, footwear, or home textiles. • Deep knowledge of dye classes (acid, reactive, disperse, pigment, direct, vat), dyeing methods (exhaust, pad, garment-dye, space-dye), and substrate-specific color behavior (cellulosics, protein fibers, synthetics, blends). • Strong cost analysis skills: dye utilization %, color yield %, batch consistency, and landed cost modeling. • Experience working cross-functionally with design, production, and sourcing teams in a fast-paced retail environment. • Demonstrated experience building and maintaining color libraries, including SKU rationalization and shade consolidation. • High color acuity — proven ability to pass tests like the Farnsworth Munsell 100-hue test (or equivalent). Preferred • Certification or deep familiarity with color measurement systems (spectrophotometry, Datacolor, X-Rite, CIELAB) and digital color communication. • Experience with sustainable or natural dyes (e.g., plant-based, low-impact, waterless, or bio-based dyeing technologies). • Knowledge of supply chain traceability for dyestuffs and chemicals. • Mandarin, Italian, or Spanish language skills for dye house and mill communication. • Familiarity with PLM systems and color database management. • Background in luxury goods (apparel, handbags, or accessories) with an eye for premium color aesthetics and trend forecasting. 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. Pay Range $1—$2 USD 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.