Kelly Kirkland
Monroe,CT
Summary
Dynamic Senior Quality Assurance Manager with a proven track record at Really Good Stuff, excelling in regulatory compliance and product safety. Expert in data analysis and cross-functional collaboration, I successfully implemented quality assurance protocols, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving continuous improvement across product lines. Passionate about ensuring product integrity and safety.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Quality Assurance Manager
Really Good Stuff
Shelton, CT
03.2022 - Current
- Lead the quality and compliance function for Really Good Stuff-branded products, driving regulatory compliance, product safety, and continuous improvement across the product life cycle.
- Focus on ensuring product safety for children's products, toys, and hardlines, adhering to all applicable regulatory and industry standards.
- Implement quality assurance protocols within the Stibo STEP PIM system to streamline New Product Introduction and Product Development processes.
- Collaborate with the Engineering team to develop a bespoke database for organizing and managing product testing data, troubleshooting issues as they arise.
- Partner with third-party lab technical teams to optimize systems, ensuring seamless integration for the company's e-filing readiness ahead of the 2026 launch.
- Create and execute action plans to resolve customer complaints and negative reviews, driving improvements in customer satisfaction and experience.
Product Safety & Compliance Manager
Really Good Stuff
Shelton, CT
08.2016 - 03.2022
- Established the company's compliance department from the ground up, following the acquisition by private equity, creating scalable systems and processes aligned with new ownership goals.
- Oversaw compliance operations for two major educational brands, managing over 2,000 active proprietary SKUs, including curriculum resources and classroom tools.
- Created and enforced quality assurance policies and risk mitigation strategies, enhancing product integrity, and protecting the company from regulatory exposure.
- Maintained full compliance of all products with federal and state regulations, as well as voluntary standards, including CFR, CPSC/CPSIA, ASTM, ANSI, UPLR/FPLA, EPA/TSCA/CARB, CA Prop 65, and TB 117—ensuring market readiness and risk mitigation.
- Partnered with Product Development and Design teams to evaluate new product concepts, proactively identifying safety risks, and implementing design improvements to ensure regulatory compliance, and consumer safety.
- Conducted thorough reviews of product labels to verify compliance with federal and state regulations, ensuring the accuracy of cautionary statements, hazard warnings, tracking labels, and required consumer product information.
- Led product testing initiatives for ISTA 2/3/6 transit tests and Amazon's SIOC/FFP protocols to verify packaging integrity and performance.
- Collaborated with the Merchandising, Purchasing, and Operations teams to uphold compliance standards across the supply chain.
- Carried out a voluntary recall in coordination with the CPSC and Health Canada, managing product isolation, customer communication, and field corrective action to ensure consumer safety.
Compliance Manager
Carolee
Stamford, CT
11.2012 - 08.2016
- Managed social compliance through third party auditing for an overseas vendor base, comprised of 20+ fashion jewelry factories.
- Traveled internationally to conduct factory visits, following up on corrective action plans (CAPs).
- Assisted in the launch of the comprehensive FJATA Social Compliance audit, minimizing audit fatigue and maximizing factory productivity.
- Monitored vendor shipping compliance, ensuring appropriate documentation for US Customs clearance.
- Oversaw the US Duty Drawback program, having recouped $500k in duty in the first 3 years of the program.
- Executed chemical testing of product across Carolee's various fashion jewelry brands, holding manufacturers accountable for failures, ensuring material compliance.
- Built vendor portal intranet site and collaboration tool, maintaining group and user permissions to streamline communication with overseas partners.
Owner and Photographer
Kelly Kirkland Photography
Monroe, CT
11.2008 - 07.2023
- Specializing in event and wedding photography, as well as custom portraiture for maternity, newborns, children, and family sessions, both in-studio and on location.
- Expertly delivered quality images and prints in a timely fashion.
- Managed all marketing efforts and social media initiatives, bringing the business to a total of 700+ satisfied clients.
Director of Product Management
Sequel International
Norwalk, CT
01.2007 - 05.2008
- Launched the Guess and Guess Collection (Gc) jewelry brands in the international market, presenting and selling the line to distributors at the Basel World Fair.
- Managed a team of product managers, overseeing the product development of men's and women's Guess and Gc jewelry.
- Analyzed gross margin across all product lines, negotiating and resourcing when necessary to maintain margin goals.
- Managed the time and action calendar, working closely with the design team to ensure that deadlines were met for all sample development and market needs.
- Placed production orders with manufacturing partners and vendors worldwide.
- Worked with the marketing team to design marketing collateral that successfully attracted the Guess customer.
Product Manager
Carolee
Greenwich, CT
06.2003 - 01.2007
Product Manager
Richemont International
New York, NY
10.2001 - 05.2003
Inventory Control Specialist
Richemont - Cartier Brand
Shelton, CT
08.2001 - 10.2001
Education
Bachelor of Science - School of Business, Marketing
University of Connecticut
Storrs05-2001
Skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Quality assurance
- Product safety
- Data analysis
- Risk assessment
- Project management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Supplier management
- Technical documentation
- Product testing
- Change management
- Multitasking capacity
Affiliations
- Avid global traveler, having visited 35 countries
- Photography enthusiast
Accomplishments
- The Chancellor's Award, University of Connecticut; recognized for academic excellence and leadership in the community
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Quality Assurance Manager
Really Good Stuff
03.2022 - Current
Product Safety & Compliance Manager
Really Good Stuff
08.2016 - 03.2022
Compliance Manager
Carolee
11.2012 - 08.2016
Owner and Photographer
Kelly Kirkland Photography
11.2008 - 07.2023
Director of Product Management
Sequel International
01.2007 - 05.2008
Product Manager
Carolee
06.2003 - 01.2007
Product Manager
Richemont International
10.2001 - 05.2003
Inventory Control Specialist
Richemont - Cartier Brand
08.2001 - 10.2001
Bachelor of Science - School of Business, Marketing
University of Connecticut
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