Head of Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) - Textile Manufactur

Job Description

Role & responsibilities 1. Quality Assurance Strategy & Leadership: - Develop and implement a comprehensive QA/QC strategy covering the entire production process, from yarn sizing, weaving, dyeing, and printing to fabric coating. - Establish quality standards, testing procedures, and inspection protocols to ensure product excellence at each production stage. - Drive continuous improvement initiatives aimed at minimizing defects, enhancing product quality, and optimizing production consistency. 2. Process Quality Control: - Oversee quality control at all stages: yarn sizing, fabric weaving, dyeing, printing, and coating, ensuring that every process meets predefined quality criteria. - Set up and maintain key checkpoints during production to ensure real-time quality monitoring and prevent defects from reaching the next stage. - Implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for addressing quality issues that arise during production. 3. Inspection & Testing: - Supervise the inspection of raw materials (yarn, dyes, chemicals), in-process materials (woven fabrics, dyed fabrics), and finished products (printed, coated fabrics). - Develop and enforce testing methods (physical, chemical, and performance tests) to evaluate the quality of fabric during and after processing. - Coordinate with external testing labs for specific assessments as needed (e.g., color fastness, shrinkage, tensile strength, abrasion resistance). 4. Defect Analysis & Root Cause Investigation: - Analyze defects and customer complaints to identify the root causes of quality issues in sizing, weaving, dyeing, printing, and coating processes. - Collaborate with production teams to implement corrective actions and ensure that lessons learned are integrated into process improvements. 5. Supplier Quality Management: - Work closely with the procurement team to ensure that suppliers of raw materials (yarn, dyes, chemicals) meet the company quality standards. - Conduct supplier audits and monitor the quality performance of key suppliers to ensure the consistency of incoming materials. - Develop and maintain quality agreements with vendors to ensure continuous improvement in raw material quality. 6. Compliance & Regulatory Standards: - Ensure that the production process complies with all relevant industry and regulatory standards, including environmental regulations concerning dyeing and chemical usage. - Stay up-to-date on the latest textile industry standards (ISO, Oeko-Tex, GOTS) and ensure the company maintains certifications as needed. - Lead efforts to maintain environmental, health, and safety (EHS) compliance, especially in dyeing and coating sections. 7. Documentation & Reporting: - Maintain detailed records of quality inspections, test results, and non-conformance reports for audit and review purposes. - Prepare monthly QA/QC reports for management, highlighting key quality trends, issues, and improvement opportunities. - Ensure that all quality processes are documented and aligned with industry best practices. 8. Team Leadership & Development: - Lead and manage the QA/QC team, ensuring clear communication of quality expectations and providing training where necessary. - Foster a culture of quality awareness throughout the organization, conducting training for production staff on quality standards and protocols. - Set performance goals for the QA/QC department and regularly assess team performance against these metrics. 9. Customer Satisfaction & Continuous Improvement: - Engage with the customer service team to address quality-related customer complaints and issues. - Implement feedback loops to capture customer input on product quality and drive continuous improvement initiatives. - Develop product improvement plans based on customer feedback, market trends, and internal quality performance data. 10. Technology & Innovation in Quality Management: - Explore and adopt new technologies and equipment for quality control, such as automated inspection systems and fabric testing equipment. - Use data analysis tools to track quality performance and identify areas for improvement. Preferred candidate profile - Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, (Masters preferred). - 8+ years of experience in quality assurance/control in the textile industry. - In-depth knowledge of textile production processes (yarn sizing, weaving, dyeing, printing, coating). - Expertise in QA/QC methodologies, including ISO standards, lean manufacturing, and statistical process control (SPC). - Strong understanding of textile testing standards and regulatory compliance. - Leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and quality improvement initiatives. Perks and benefits - Full-time role, based in the manufacturing facility with frequent floor inspections. - Requires collaboration with various departments (production, procurement, R&D) and regular communication with suppliers. - May require occasional travel to suppliers or customers for quality audits and support.