Quality Assurance Manager

ROLE OVERVIEW

The QA Manager will be responsible for managing product quality, inspection planning, factory coordination, production follow-up, and corrective action implementation across all running orders. The role requires strong ownership, proactive communication, problem-solving ability, and close coordination with factories, merchandising teams, and internal stakeholders. Quality team management and alignment will determine success in the role.

This is not a checker-only role. The expectation is to think through quality issues, identify root causes, drive corrective actions, and support continuous improvement in factory processes and product quality.

Minimum 10 years of experience in Quality Assurance / Quality Control required. Experience in a Buying House, Sourcing Office, or International Trading Company will be preferred.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Production & Factory Coordination

– Coordinate closely with factories, merchandising teams, and internal stakeholders on all running orders.

– Participate in day-opening and day-closing calls/emails covering daily working targets, completed activities, and pending priorities.

– Monitor factory production status against T&A timelines and proactively escalate risks or delays to Team Leaders.

– Share all important factory production pictures and updates via email to the team.

– Maintain clear communication on movement and factory visits through relevant WhatsApp groups.

2. Inspection Planning & Execution

– Independently plan inspection schedules in coordination with seniors and Team Leaders.

– Ensure inspection planning is completed in advance and shared every Friday for the following week.

– Plan outstation inspections, including all travel and logistics arrangements.

– Keep ERP updated with all planned inspection dates for weekly WIP reviews.

– Conduct inline, midline, and final inspections across all running orders.

– Ensure inspection reports are uploaded in ERP within 24–48 hours of completion.

– Mandatory same-day update of Pass/Fail inspection status in ERP before leaving the factory.

– Ensure QC files handed over meet the systems and standards before accepting an inspection request.

3. Quality Management & Corrective Actions

– Identify, classify, and evaluate defects as Minor / Major / Critical based on buyer standards and product usage.

– Drive Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) discussions with factories; follow up continuously until issues are fully resolved.

– Escalate all failed inspections and CAPA requirements during daily review meetings.

– During inline and midline inspections, analyse defects deeply — understand process failures causing defects and recommend improvements to reduce recurrence, rather than only reporting observations.

– Review rejected samples and defect references with senior leaders.

– Take responsibility for signed samples maintained at factories.

4. Product Development Support

– Identify and share new factories, products, techniques, or capabilities that can support business growth.

– Participate in vendor assessment and selection for new projects.

– Support product development activities in factories as required.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

– Minimum 10 years of experience in Quality Assurance / Quality Control.

– Strong understanding of quality systems, inspections, and production processes.

– Hands-on experience in home textiles and hard lines — décor, furniture, handicrafts, or related product categories.

– Prior experience in a Buying House, Sourcing Office, or International Trading Company preferred.

– Proven experience in leading and managing QA teams.

– Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; ability to identify root causes and drive corrective actions.

– Ability to independently manage factory visits and inspection planning.

– Excellent communication and coordination skills with internal and external stakeholders.

– Comfortable with ERP systems and reporting tools.

– Willingness to travel extensively for factory inspections.

KEY EXPECTATIONS

– Strong ownership and accountability across all assigned orders and factories.

– Attention to detail and structured process thinking.

– Ability to balance quality standards, timelines, and factory relationships.

– Proactive escalation and follow-up mindset — issues flagged early, not after the fact.

– Solution-oriented approach: go beyond reporting issues to driving resolution.