Assistant Manager - Quality Assurance

Job Title: Assistant Manager – Quality Assurance
Location: Perundurai

Role Purpose:

The Assistant Manager – Quality Assurance is responsible for the day-to-day operations, planning, and technical integrity of the textile testing laboratory and quality governance on the finished fabrics before discharging to customer. This role ensures that all fabric samples are tested accurately and within the required timelines in accordance with applicable ISO, ASTM, and EN standards. The role is responsible for managing laboratory manpower, equipment, and testing resources, while ensuring the timely issuance of Certificates of Analysis (COAs) that support customer, quality, production, and shipment decisions. The role also maintains end-to-end test records, traceability, and documentation to ensure compliance with internal and external requirements.

 Principal Accountabilities:

Quality Assurance Key responsibilities

• Establish a structured, time-bound feedback mechanism (weekly defect and test-failure reports) routed to Spinning, Weaving, and Dyeing unit heads, categorized by defect type, severity, and root-cause process.
• Convert fabric inspection (4-point system) and lab test results (e.g., strength, shrinkage, colorfastness, pilling, GSM variance) into actionable, process-specific corrective inputs.
• Conduct regular cross-functional quality reviews with Spinning, Weaving, and Dyeing teams to review trends, assign actions, and track closure.
• Drive CAPA implementation and monitor defect recurrence to ensure effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Establish early-warning indicators and escalate emerging quality issues before they impact production or shipments.
• Maintain defect traceability from customer complaints and internal rejections to the originating process stage.
• Collaborate with production teams to translate recurring quality issues into process improvements, SOP updates, and enhanced controls.
• Own the reduction of customer complaints and repeat internal rejections, and report improvement trends in management reviews.

Laboratory Operations & Test Execution

• Plan and schedule daily testing workload across physical, mechanical, and colorfastness sections to meet turnaround-time (TAT) commitments to buyers and internal customers.
• Ensure tests are conducted per specified standards
• Review raw results for consistency and technical validity before sign-off; investigate and resolve out-of-spec or borderline results with the technical team.
• Approve and issue Certificates of Analysis (COA) / test reports, ensuring correct specification references, pass/fail criteria, and traceability to sample and order number.
• Extend supports in monitoring sample fabric inspection as per 4 point system

Manpower & Resource Planning

• Plan shift-wise manpower allocation across test sections based on incoming sample volume and monthly targets.
• Track lab capacity (active testing time vs. equipment/machine run-time) and flag bottlenecks – particularly for long-cycle tests such as abrasion (Martindale run time), wash cycles, and perspiration incubation.
• Identify manpower or equipment shortfalls against monthly sample-volume targets and recommend staffing/equipment additions to management.
• Train, mentor, and cross-skill technicians across test methods; conduct periodic competency

Equipment, Calibration & Quality Systems

• Maintain and oversee calibration/maintenance schedules for all lab equipment
• Ensure the lab operates per applicable internal quality management system, including document control, sample retention, and internal audit readiness.
• Maintain records of reference standards, chemicals/reagents, and consumables; ensure timely procurement and stock control.
• Coordinate external calibration, proficiency testing, and third-party lab audits (buyer QA audits, certification bodies).

Coordination & Reporting

• Liaise with factories and QA teams on testing requirements, sample submissions, and result escalations.
• Coordinate with accredited third-party labs for tests outside in-house capability, and track turnaround of outsourced tests.
• Prepare and present MIS reports – sample throughput, pass/fail trends, TAT adherence, retest rates – to management on a periodic basis.
• Ensure lab health & safety practices are followed (chemical handling, machine safety guards, PPE compliance).

Education, Qualifications and Experience:

• Any Textile related degree -Preferably from Fabrics Segment.
• 8-10 years of Experience running Testing Labs.
• Fluent in English and Tamil.
• Good level of documentation using Excel/Word.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in reputed 3rd part testing agencies.
• Training certificates, testing related certification, e.g. Lean Six Sigma.
• Exposure in Technical textiles fabrics segment.

At Coats Group, we are committed to innovation, excellence, and fostering a diverse and collaborative environment where every team member can thrive. If you are passionate about making an impact in the textile industry and eager to join a global leader with a rich heritage and a forward-thinking approach, we invite you to take the next step in your career with us.