Quality Executive – Footwear

Location: Vendor premises / Factory site (Footwear supplier location)

Department: Quality Control

Reporting To: Senior Manager – Quality Control

Job Purpose:

To ensure consistent product quality and compliance with company specifications by monitoring, inspecting, and validating footwear production at the vendor’s facility. The Quality Executive acts as the key liaison between the vendor and the company’s quality and product development teams to maintain standards from incoming materials to final packaging.

Key Responsibilities:

A. Incoming Material Inspection

• Verify and approve raw materials, components (uppers, soles, insoles, adhesives, linings, threads, etc.) as per approved specifications.
• Conduct checks on PU/PVC soles, leather/synthetic uppers, and trims for physical and aesthetic properties.
• Ensure supplier maintains records of incoming material inspections.

B. In-Process Quality Control

• Monitor production processes — cutting, stitching, lasting, sole bonding, finishing, and packing — to ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Perform random inline inspections as per sampling/AQL standards.
• Identify, document, and report deviations or process non-conformities immediately to the vendor and head office QC.
• Conduct workmanship audits to ensure consistency in color, fitting, finishing, and labelling.

C. Final Quality Inspection

• Carry out pre-final and final inspections before dispatch as per sampling/AQL levels.
• Check dimensions, physical appearance, branding, packaging, carton markings, and barcodes as per buyer specifications.
• Prepare inspection reports with photographic evidence and share with central QC team.

D. Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain records for daily inspection logs, process audits, and defect analysis reports.
• Update QC dashboard with vendor performance metrics (defect %, rework %, on-time readiness, etc.).
• Support root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective action plan (CAPA) tracking with vendors.
• Ensure traceability of all batches through documentation and labelling.

E. Vendor Quality Improvement

• Support vendor QC team in process improvements and training on company quality standards.
• Participate in vendor evaluation audits and suggest corrective measures.

F. Coordination & Communication

• Liaise with Product Development, Merchandising, and QC teams for sample approval, spec clarifications, and quality alignment.
• Ensure smooth communication flow between vendor and company regarding any quality or production issues.

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Sound understanding of footwear manufacturing processes (Cutting, Stitching, Lasting, Finishing, and Packing).
• Knowledge of common defects and corrective actions for PU/PVC/TPR soles, synthetic/leather uppers.
• Familiarity with quality inspection standards (AQL, ISO, ASTM, or BIS standards).
• Strong analytical and reporting skills (MS Excel, report writing).
• Good communication and vendor handling skills.
• Ability to work independently at supplier premises with minimal supervision.

Qualification & Experience:

• Diploma / B.Tech in Footwear Technology, Leather Technology, or related discipline.
• Minimum 2–5 years of experience in Quality Control within the footwear or leather goods industry.
• Experience in vendor-deputed roles or third-party inspection agencies preferred.