Senior Manager

About Frido: Frido is dedicated to enhancing daily living through innovative, ergonomic solutions that promote comfort and well-being. Our mission is to design the next generation of products to empower people to walk, sit, and sleep better. Each product we create is fueled by the same passion that drove us to innovate from day one: to give people the freedom to do more. Join us in our mission to transform everyday struggles into freedom and joy. Discover Frido, and experience the freedom to live life your way. Role Overview The Senior Manager - Quality Control (Footwear) will lead end-to-end quality strategy across product development, manufacturing, vendor management, and post-purchase experience for a rapidly scaling D2C footwear brand. The role is responsible for building strong QC frameworks, reducing defect rates, ensuring consistent customer experience, and driving continuous improvement across the supply chain. Key Responsibilities 1. Quality Strategy & Governance • Own the overall quality roadmap for all footwear categories (sports, fashion, casual, comfort, kids, etc.). • Define quality standards, testing protocols, and inspection criteria aligned with brand promise, D2C customer expectations, and marketplace requirements. • Implement a "zero-defect mindset" with measurable QC metrics across suppliers and internal teams. 2. Vendor & Factory Quality Management • Manage quality performance of manufacturing partners, tanneries, sole suppliers, and component vendors. • Conduct periodic factory audits (TQM, process audits, compliance checks). • Drive corrective action plans (CAPA) with vendors for recurring defects such as sole bonding failures, stitching defects, sizing inconsistencies, upper wrinkles, colour bleeding, etc. • Build strong relationships with suppliers to ensure timely, high-quality output. 3. Product Development & Pre-Production • Partner with the design and PD teams to evaluate new materials, trims, soles, and construction techniques. • Approve prototypes, PP samples, and Size Set samples with documented QC evaluation. • Assess wear-test results, durability tests, fit consistency, and overall product performance. 4. In-Line Production Quality Control • Set up QC checkpoints at raw material stage, cutting, stitching/upper rooms, lasting, sole application, finishing and packing. • Introduce statistical quality control methods to catch deviations early. • Manage third-party inspections where required. • Monitor batch-wise defect trends and escalate issues proactively. 5. D2C Customer Feedback Loop • Own product quality analytics from returns, reviews, unboxing complaints, and customer support feedback. • Perform RCA (Root Cause Analysis) on high-return SKUs-for sizing, comfort, durability, smell, colour fade, etc. • Work with product and operations teams to solve systemic issues in future batches. • Reduce return/defect rate month-on-month as a core KPI. 6. Process Improvement & Compliance • Implement Lean/Six Sigma initiatives for process control in footwear production. • Ensure adherence to testing standards: SATRA, ISO, REACH, chemical compliance, abrasion tests, flexing, etc. • Drive quality documentation-SOPs, quality manuals, inspection reports, calibration of tools, etc. 7. Team Leadership • Lead, train, and mentor QC inspectors, auditors, and lab technicians at factories and warehouse. • Develop capability-building programs for vendor QC teams. • Instill a culture of quality ownership. Qualifications & Experience • 8-12+ years of QC experience in footwear manufacturing (sports, fashion, leather, or synthetic footwear). • Strong understanding of D2C business dynamics-unboxing quality, packaging, returns analysis, customer sentiment. • Expertise in footwear construction (cemented, strobel, direct injection, PU/EVA/Rubber soles). • Experience in vendor audits, testing labs, QC toolkits, and statistical quality management. • Knowledge of SATRA/ISO standards and chemical compliance norms. • Prior experience leading QC teams and working with multi-factory ecosystems. You can share your CV along with CTC details at