Sr. Manager - Quality Assurance

Position Overview

Arvind Ltd. is seeking an experienced, analytical, and quality-driven Senior Manager Quality Assurance to establish and lead the end-to-end quality framework for our specialized Gabardine Fabric Expansion Project. This role is responsible for driving quality standards across raw materials, grey fabric, in-process processing (Bleaching, Dyeing, and Finishing), final fabric inspection, and laboratory testing.

The ideal candidate will combine deep expertise in woven fabric defects, physical/chemical testing protocols, customer-specific AQL standards, and continuous process improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, SPC) to ensure zero-defect fabric dispatches for premium domestic and international apparel brands.

Key Responsibilities

1. Quality Assurance Strategy & Quality Control Framework

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Establish and enforce Quality Assurance SOPs, inspection protocols, and testing guidelines for the entire Gabardine processing line (grey fabric to final packed roll).
• In-Process Quality Audits: Monitor key control parameters across Singeing, CBR, Mercerizing, Continuous Dyeing (Pad-Thermosol/Pad-Steam), and Finishing ranges to prevent process-induced defects (e.g., side-to-center shade variation, listing, skewness, or GSM variation).
• Four-Point System & Grading: Manage final fabric inspection protocols using the standard 4-Point System (ASTM D5430) to ensure accurate fabric grading and minimize shade banding/off-spec releases.

2. Physical & Chemical Testing Laboratory Management

• Oversee the physical and chemical testing laboratory (ISO 17025 compliant), ensuring precise testing for tensile/tear strength, dimensional stability (shrinkage), skewness/bowing, color fastness (wash, light, rubbing, perspiration), and pilling resistance.
• Ensure all testing routines strictly adhere to international buyer testing standards (AATCC, ISO, ASTM, DIN).
• Oversee RSL (Restricted Substances List) and MRSL compliance, ensuring chemical usage aligns with OEKO-TEX, ZDHC, REACH, and GOTS certifications.

3. Customer Quality Alignment & Complaint Resolution

• Serve as the primary quality liaison for international and domestic retail buyers, handling tech-pack evaluations, buyer audits, and submission of pre-shipment sample approvals (Gold Samples / Sealed Samples).
• Drive Root Cause Analysis (RCA) using 8D, 5-Why, and Fishbone diagrams for any customer claims, complaints, or internal rejections, ensuring robust Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) are implemented on the shop floor.
• Conduct regular buyer-specific quality reviews and maintain a zero-claim mindset across execution teams.

4. Project Execution & Quality Readiness

• Define quality parameters, test equipment specifications, and inline inspection points during the installation and commissioning phase of the Gabardine expansion project.
• Develop specialized quality inspection criteria tailored to heavy bottom-weight twills, high-density gabardines, and stretch variants (cotton-elastane).
• Conduct capability studies and machine validation runs alongside production and engineering teams before commercial rollouts.

5. Operational Excellence & Team Leadership

• Deploy Statistical Process Control (SPC) tools, tracking First-Time-Right (FTR) percentages, rework ratios, and scrap metrics across the unit.
• Lead, coach, and train a team of QA managers, laboratory technicians, inline auditors, and final fabric inspectors.
• Drive continuous quality improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma frameworks to systematically lower quality-loss costs.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

• Education: B.Tech / B.E. / B.Sc in Textile Technology, Textile Chemistry, or Quality Management from a premier textile institute (e.g., ICT, DKTE, IIT, VJTI, NIT).
• Experience: 12 to 18 years of hands-on Quality Assurance experience in woven textile manufacturing/processing, with at least 5+ years leading QA.
• Technical Expertise:
  
• Mastery over ASTM D5430 (4-Point System), AATCC/ISO test methods, and fabric defect classification.
• In-depth understanding of woven processing chemistry, shade matching, and physical properties of high-density twills.
• Strong working knowledge of statistical quality tools (SPC, Minitab, 8D, CAPA, Six Sigma).
• Hands-on experience with environmental compliance standards (OEKO-TEX, ZDHC, HIGG Index).
• Leadership & Soft Skills: Strong analytical acumen, assertive communication, cross-functional authority to enforce quality gates, and proven team management skills.