Quality Assurance Team Leader

Position Purpose

Lead the execution of Quality operations by deploying the quality strategy, standards and initiatives defined for the Asia Quality Department.

This role ensures consistent implementation, coordinates operational activities, and drives effective communication and alignment with suppliers, third-party inspections companies and internal stakeholders.

Main Responsibilities

1. Quality Operations Leadership

· Lead the daily Quality Operations in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India.

· Translate the quality strategy into operational plans and priorities.

· Coordinate the execution of regional quality initiatives.

· Ensure consistency in Quality practices across all sourcing countries.

· Support the Asia Quality Manager in implementing strategic projects.

· Communicate new procedures and operational requirements.

· Ensure consistent understanding across Quality Teams

· Verify that Quality standards are correctly implemented.

2. Team Leadership. Lead the operational quality by:

· Managing the Quality Control Inspectors.

· Providing coaching, guidance and performance feedback.

· Defining priorities and workload distribution.

· Identifying improvement opportunities and recommending process enhancements.

3. Supplier Quality Projects

· Lead technical supplier improvement projects.

· Support the implementation of QA, Self-inspection and continuous improvement programs.

· Develop preventive quality initiatives to strengthen supplier performance.

4. Quality Program Deployment & Execution

· Support Factory Audit programs by conducting technical assessments when required.

· Analyze audit findings and identify technical improvement opportunities.

· Support suppliers in developing and implementing technical Action Plans

· Provide technical recommendations to improve manufacturing processes and product quality.

· Support the deployment of the QA Program and Self-inspection Program.

· Provide regular feedback to the Asia Quality Manager on program process, challenges and improvement opportunities.

5. Supplier & Stakeholder Engagement

· Conduct supplier meetings to communicate Quality expectations.

· Lead alignment meetings with internal teams.

· Ensure Quality requirements are clearly understood.

· Drive implementation of corrective actions and improvement plans.

· Monitor execution and follow-up commitments.

6. Third-Party Inspection Operations (Future State)

· Ensure inspections companies operate according to defined standards.

· Monitor service performance and operational execution.

· Support implementation of the inspection allocation strategy.

· Work closely with Quality Analyst and Quality Assistant to ensure smooth inspection operation

· Coordinate any possible follow-up in the attendance of claims from the inspection companies.

7. Sales Returns, Quality Agreements & Reimbursement.

· Participate actively in the review of the cases to determine if the incident is treated as an alert or claim.

a. For Alerts, send the information to the related stakeholders

b. For Claims, open the official claim to the Supplier and third-party inspection company (if applicable) and follow up with the Supplier to a clear definition of the CAPA.

· Analyze technical causes of sales returns, claims and quality alerts.

· Monitor claim status and follow up with the responsible teams to ensure agreed response timelines are met.

· Track supplier reimbursements and ensure timely follow-up until closure.

· Maintain visibility of open cases, pending actions, reimbursement and overdue items.

· Provide regular status updates and identify recurring delays or process gaps.

· Support the standardization of the sales returns and reimbursement workflow across the Asia Quality organization.

8. Operational Performance Management

Monitor the execution of Quality operations by reviewing:

· Inspection performance

· Supplier quality issues

· CAPA implementation

· Operational KPIs

· Quality program deployment

· Team performance

9. Supplier Qualification & Onboarding

Lead the Quality qualification and onboarding process for new suppliers or factories by:

· Coordinating factory qualification audits and follow-up action plans.

· Ensuring suppliers are ready to meet Quality requirements before production starts.

· Delivering onboarding on Quality standards, procedures, KPIs and Quality programs.

· Verifying supplier understanding and compliance with the company’s Quality expectations.

10. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with:

· Quality Engineer

· Quality Analyst II

· Merchandising

· Sourcing

· Suppliers

· Third-party inspection companies.

To ensure effective implementation of Quality initiatives and alignment across all stakeholders.

Key Deliverables

· Effective deployment of the Asia Quality Strategy

· Execution of regional Quality Initiatives.

· Operational alignment across quality teams

· Supplier communication and engagement

· Quality program implementation

· Inspection operational performance

· Team capability development

· Operational compliance with the Quality Management System

Success Measures

· Execution of strategic initiatives

· Quality program implementation rate

· Operational KPI achievement

· Supplier engagement effectiveness

· SOP Compliance

· QC Team performance

· Timely execution of CAPAs

· Inspection execution performance

· Stakeholder satisfaction.

Skills

· Strong knowledge of Quality Assurance and Quality Control processes, including AQL, inspections, factory audits, CAPA, supplier performance and quality KPIs

· Strong leadership and people management skills, with ability to manage, coach and develop QC and coordination teams.

· Strong operational planning, prioritization and decision-making skills

· Ability to translate Quality strategy, standards and procedures into effective operational execution.

· Strong supplier management, communication and stakeholder management skills

· Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with ability to evaluate quality risks ana make sound operational decisions

· Ability to lead supplier meetings, quality training and cross-functional alignment.

· Strong organization, follow-up and escalation management skills.

· Proactive, autonomous and results-oriented mindset.

· Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Experience

· Minimum 8 years of experience in Quality Assurance/Quality Control, preferably within the apparel, footwear or retail industry.

· Proven experience leading Quality teams and managing day-to-day quality operations.

· Hands-on experience in inspection management, supplier quality, factory audits, CAPA and quality improvement programs.

· Experience working directly with suppliers, factories and third-party inspection companies.

· Experience in an international sourcing or buying office environment is highly preferred.

Education

· Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Management or a related field.

· Quality Management, auditing or continuous improvement certifications are an advantage.

Language

· Advance English, both written and spoken.

System & Digital skills

· Strong proficiency in Microsoft office, particularly in Excel and Power Point.

· Experience with Quality Management, inspection or supplier management systems.

· Experience with inspectorio or similar digital quality platforms is highly desirable.

· Ability to analyze Quality Data, KPIs and dashboards to support operational decision making.