Jitender Gautam

Strategic and results-driven QA Head with 18+ years of experience in apparel, soft home, and leather manufacturing across South Asia. Expert in factory onboarding, buyer compliance, and quality systems, with a proven ability to drive operational excellence, enhance product quality, and optimize processes. Adept at leading high-performing QA/QC teams, implementing right-first-time production practices, and ensuring consistent adherence to global buyer standards.

Recognized for building scalable vendor networks and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and compliance excellence across diverse product categories including knits, woven, leather apparels, footwear, home décor and home textiles.

Quality Assurance Manager - Falabella Shearvan SA - Gurgaon, India

(2014-08 - 2025-10)

Accountable for overseeing comprehensive QA processes, managing supplier relationships, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement to maintain high product quality standards and operational excellence across 40+ factories in India and Bangladesh.

• Directed production planning across multiple factories, elevating on-time shipment performance by 15% year-over-year, improving supply chain reliability and customer satisfaction.
• On boarded 105 factories (45 in Bangladesh, 60 in India), ensuring full alignment with global buyer quality and compliance standards; raised audit pass rate from 70–75% to 90%.
• Saved USD 50K annually by reducing dependency on 3rd-party inspections and building robust in-house QA capabilities.
• Spearheaded robust vendor management protocols, enhancing first-time product quality pass rates across a diverse supplier base in India and Bangladesh.
• Pioneered the integration of Statistical Process Control and AQL-based inspection systems from raw material intake to final inspection, resulting in a 20% decrease in rework.
• Reduced DHU from 12 to 7 (42% improvement) by implementing inline process controls and a right-first-time production culture.
• Orchestrated 100% clearance across all Technical, Social, and Factory Compliance audits; improved overall audit success rate to 95% through CAPA tracking and pre-audit readiness programs.
• Improved OTIF & RFT from 80% to 95% by introducing stage-wise quality gates and driving cross-functional coordination.
• Lowered customer claims to 5% through preventive quality planning and strict bulk approval systems.
• Led and mentored a QA/QC team of 10 inspectors across India and Bangladesh, ensuring consistent buyer compliance and vendor performance.
• Developed a weekly inspection and delivery tracking system, amplifying visibility, accountability, and efficiency across interconnected teams.
• Implemented standardized SOPs across all factories, resulting in 100% elimination of garment quality complaints from customers.

Senior Quality Assurance Executive - Continuum Buying Agency - Gurgaon, India

(2011-04 - 2014-07)

Oversight of quality assurance functions, ensuring consistent adherence to quality standards, facilitating vendor communication, and optimizing production processes for brands including Carmakoma and Ted Baker.

• Directed complete production and quality control operations, guaranteeing timely delivery of premium goods across an array of vendors.
• Executed Statistical Process Control and spearheaded AQL-based inspections, strictly adhering to diverse buyer quality benchmarks and enhancing product integrity.
• Managed delivery logistics, effectively addressed short shipment concerns, and strategically planned PCD to sustain seamless production workflow across the supply chain.
• Led multi-disciplinary teams, cultivating amplified performance, efficacy, and ownership among team members, contributing to superior operational outcomes.
• Orchestrated weekly inspection regimens and executed routine Target vs. Achievement evaluations to ensure fulfillment of manufacturing aims and strategic objectives.

Quality Assurance - Bhartiya International Buying Agency - Gurgaon, India

(2009-11 - 2011-03)

• Generated weekly inspection reports based on daily audits, contributing to a reduction in alteration percentage and quality defects.
• Participated in final inspections alongside buyer QCs; monitored and controlled material flow in sewing and finishing lines.
• Collaborated with technical design and product management to provide accurate and complete design packages.
• Maintained SOPs, promoted teamwork, and communicated with suppliers regarding new developments and sample follow-ups.

Quality Assurance - Orient Craft Limited - Delhi & Gurgaon, India

(2007-06 - 2009-08)

• Maintained close oversight of sampling and shipment timelines to guarantee punctual conveyance of products.
• Conducted meticulous fabric inspections upon receipt to stem quality inconsistencies prior to production cycles.
• Implemented and managed an Internal AQL Audit Team spanning cutting, sewing, washing, in-line, mid-line, and pre-dispatch audits.
• Provided real-time production updates to sourcing entities, boosting confidence and supply chain synergy.

Bachelor of Arts - Indira Gandhi National Open University (2007 - 2012)

Apparel Manufacturing Technology - ATDC (Apparel Training & Design Centre) (2007 - 2007)