Manager - Quality Assurance

Role & responsibilities

• Quality Assurance Strategy: Develop and implement a robust quality assurance framework, including policies and procedures, to ensure compliance with international standards such as ISO 9001 and Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) requirements.
• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor the quality assurance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional development through training and performance evaluations.
• Quality Control Processes: Oversee quality control measures for incoming materials (gemstones and metals), in-process production, and finished jewellery to ensure adherence to defined standards.
• Collaboration and Standards Development: Work closely with design, production, and sourcing teams to establish and refine quality specifications, incorporating ethical and sustainable sourcing practices.
• Audits and Inspections: Conduct regular internal and supplier audits to identify quality issues, non-conformances, and opportunities for improvement, ensuring timely resolution.
• Data Analysis and Improvement: Utilise statistical tools to analyse quality data, identify root causes of defects, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to drive continuous improvement.
• Supplier and Vendor Management: Build strong partnerships with suppliers through performance evaluations, audits, and collaborative improvement initiatives.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to industry standards (e.g., RJC, GIA, CIBJO) and export regulations related to gemstone sourcing, jewellery manufacturing, and international trade.
• Customer Complaint Resolution: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address quality-related customer complaints, implement corrective actions, and communicate resolutions effectively.
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Track and report key quality metrics (e.g., defect rates, customer returns, supplier performance) to senior management, providing actionable insights to enhance quality outcomes.

Preferred candidate profile

Key Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Management, Materials Science, or a related field. A Master's degree or MBA with a focus on Operations/Quality is preferred.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, Six Sigma Black Belt, or Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Auditor certification.
• In-depth knowledge of industry-specific standards, including ISO 9001, RJC Code of Practices, Gemological Institute of America (GIA) guidelines, Confederation of International Blue Book (CIBJO) standards, and export regulations (e.g., Kimberley Process for conflict-free diamonds, REACH for chemicals in jewellery).
• Familiarity with ethical and sustainable sourcing practices, including traceability of gemstones and metals.

Core Skills and Competencies

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in statistical analysis tools (e.g., Minitab, SPSS) for defect identification and process optimisation; expertise in auditing methodologies; knowledge of jewellery-specific tools like gemstone spectrometers or metal assay techniques.
• Leadership and Interpersonal Skills: Strong team mentoring abilities, with a focus on building a culture of accountability and professional growth through training and performance evaluations. Excellent collaboration skills to work with design, production, sourcing, and cross-functional teams.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to conduct root cause analysis, implement CAPA, and use data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communication Skills: Effective in reporting quality metrics to senior management, resolving customer issues, and communicating resolutions. Multilingual capabilities (e.g., English plus regional languages) are a plus for international exports.
• Regulatory and Compliance Expertise: Strong understanding of global trade regulations, ethical sourcing (e.g., fair trade gems), and sustainability practices to mitigate risks in export markets.
• Soft Skills: Detail-oriented, adaptable, with a commitment to ethical practices and a passion for quality excellence in luxury manufacturing.

Personal Attributes

• Results-driven with a zero-tolerance approach to quality lapses.
• Culturally sensitive, given the global nature of jewellery exports.
• Willingness to travel for supplier audits and international compliance checks.
• Strong ethical mindset aligned with RJC principles for responsible jewellery practices.