Quality Assurance (QA) Executive

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Executive will be responsible for monitoring product quality throughout the manufacturing process, conducting factory inspections, identifying defects, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring that products meet approved quality standards before shipment.

The candidate should possess sound technical knowledge of furniture manufacturing, materials, finishes, construction, packaging, and international inspection standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Quality Inspection & Control

• Conduct pre-production, in-process, and final random inspections at vendor factories.
• Verify products against approved samples, technical specifications, drawings, and buyer quality standards.
• Inspect product dimensions, finishes, colors, workmanship, construction, and functional performance.
• Identify manufacturing defects, quality deviations, and potential safety concerns.
• Ensure products comply with buyer-approved quality requirements and applicable inspection criteria.

2. Furniture & Home Dcor Quality Assurance

• Evaluate wooden, metal, upholstered, and mixed-material products for quality, durability, and workmanship.
• Inspect joinery, welding, hardware fittings, structural stability, surface finishes, and assembly.
• Verify knock-down (KD) furniture components, hardware packs, assembly instructions, and functionality.
• Assess wood moisture content, cracks, warping, surface defects, and finishing consistency where applicable.
• Verify that finished products match approved reference samples and technical specifications.

3. Factory Audits & Vendor Quality Management

• Conduct factory quality assessments and evaluate manufacturing capabilities.
• Identify potential quality risks in manufacturing processes.
• Coordinate with vendors to implement corrective and preventive action plans (CAPA).
• Monitor recurring defects and work with factories to improve production standards.
• Maintain vendor quality performance records and escalate critical issues to management.

4. Packaging & Shipment Inspection

• Verify inner and master carton packaging, protective materials, and packing methods.
• Check shipping marks, barcodes, carton labels, handling symbols, and product identification details.
• Ensure carton dimensions, weights, quantities, and packing configurations match approved specifications.
• Review applicable drop-test reports and packaging test requirements.
• Conduct final inspection and recommend shipment release only after quality requirements are fulfilled and the authorized team approves dispatch.

5. Quality Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare detailed inspection reports with photographs, defect classifications, observations, and recommendations.
• Maintain records of approved samples, inspection checklists, testing reports, and quality deviations.
• Submit inspection findings to the merchandising and management teams within agreed timelines.
• Track corrective actions and verify their effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate records of vendor quality performance and recurring issues.

6. Buyer Standards & Product Compliance

• Understand international buyer quality requirements, particularly for the USA, UK, and European markets.
• Apply AQL-based sampling and inspection procedures as specified by buyers.
• Coordinate applicable product testing and third-party inspections.
• Verify availability of relevant testing and compliance documentation when required.
• Support compliance with applicable product safety, labeling, and material requirements.

7. Coordination With Merchandising & Production Teams

• Work closely with merchandisers, product development teams, and factory representatives.
• Participate in pre-production meetings to clarify buyer specifications and critical quality requirements.
• Identify potential quality issues early to prevent shipment delays.
• Support sample approvals, pilot production checks, and production-quality reviews.
• Communicate quality concerns proactively and recommend practical solutions.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Furniture Technology, Wood Technology, or a related discipline.
• Relevant technical qualifications combined with strong factory inspection experience will also be considered.

Professional Experience

• 2-4 years of experience in quality assurance or quality control within a buying agency, export house, inspection company, or furniture manufacturing organization.
• Practical experience inspecting furniture, home dcor, handicrafts, or lifestyle products.
• Prior experience handling quality requirements of international buyers is preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of wood, metal, upholstery, hardware, and surface finishes.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, product specifications, and inspection standards.
• Understanding of AQL inspection methods and defect classifications.
• Familiarity with measuring instruments, moisture meters, and basic quality-testing procedures.
• Knowledge of furniture construction, KD assembly, packaging standards, and export requirements.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, inspection reporting, and photographic documentation.

Professional Skills

• Excellent observation skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and vendor coordination skills.
• Ability to independently conduct factory inspections.
• Strong decision-making and reporting capabilities.
• Willingness to travel frequently to manufacturing facilities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be evaluated based on:

1. First-time inspection pass rate.

2. Reduction in recurring product defects.

3. Timely completion of scheduled inspections.

4. Reduction in buyer complaints and quality-related claims.

5. Timely closure of corrective and preventive actions.

6. Accuracy and completeness of inspection reports.

7. Improvement in vendor quality performance.

8. Reduction in shipment rejections and quality-related delays.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

We are looking for a professional who is:

• Quality-focused: Maintains strict adherence to buyer specifications and approved standards.
• Technically competent: Understands furniture construction, manufacturing processes, finishes, and materials.
• Detail-oriented: Identifies even minor deviations that may affect product acceptance.
• Solution-driven: Works with factories to prevent and resolve manufacturing defects.
• Independent and accountable: Conducts inspections objectively and provides accurate reports.
• Collaborative: Coordinates effectively with vendors, merchandisers, and management.

Role Objective

To protect international buyers' interests and strengthen Indsource International's reputation as a reliable sourcing partner by ensuring consistent product quality, minimizing defects, and maintaining high manufacturing and export-quality standards.Role & responsibilities

Preferred candidate profile