Ferdinand Mercado

Dynamic Technical Design and Quality Assurance Manager with over a decade of experience driving excellence in the garment industry. Expert in executing proactive garment risk assessments, managing robust quality systems, and utilizing CAD systems. Proven track record of leading high-performing factory teams to significantly reduce defects and customer claims through the systematic application of quality management methodologies and QC tools.

Senior Technical Design Development & Quality Assurance Manager - Gloria-Jeans Representative Office - Ho Chi Minh City

(2017-01 - 2026-04)

• Managed technical design, Quality Assurance, and product development for knits and wovens across lingerie, dresses, denim, sportswear, activewear, and outerwear.
• Provide cost engineering recommendations without compromising product quality or brand standards.
• Analyze and improve garment construction methods for higher productivity and lower wastage.
• Review fabric and trim performance for cost-effectiveness and technical suitability.
• Lead the technical team, including pattern makers, garment technologists, QA/QC, and sample room staff.
• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of supplier quality systems and technical standards across garment factories and fabric mills.
• Directed sample evaluation (Proto, Fit, SMS, PPS) and implemented corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot production issues, providing technical solutions to factories and suppliers.
• Partnered with design and production teams to ensure brand alignment and on-time delivery.
• Conduct factory audits, inline quality evaluations, and corrective action follow-up to ensure compliance with brand SOPs and quality requirements.
• Review and approve fabric quality, wash PPS, shade bands, shrinkage results, and bulk production standards before shipment release.
• Manage garment testing compliance including GPT and RSL requirements to ensure product safety and quality performance.
• Oversee all inspection stages including Size Set, Inline Sewing, Laundry, Finishing, and Pre-Shipment AQL inspections, quality control standards to minimize defects and rework.
• Analyze recurring production issues, audit findings, and supplier performance data to drive continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate supplier training and technical support programs to improve factory quality systems and operational efficiency.
• Maintain inspection documentation and quality records through PLM and reporting systems.
• Trained and mentored new workers on policies and procedures.
• Delivered finished work to precise specifications following verbal and written orders.
• Collaborated in team setting to handle daily assignments and challenges.

Technical Quality Assurance Manager - Cloth & People Vina - Vietnam

(2015-01 - 2017-01)

• Develop and maintain the company's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with company standards, customer requirements, and international regulations.
• Create and update quality procedures, SOPs, inspection standards, and quality manuals.
• Lead implementation of quality improvement programs.
• Monitor quality performance from raw materials to finished goods.
• Ensure inline, end-line, and final inspections are conducted properly.
• Analyze production defects and implement corrective actions.
• Work closely with production teams to improve line quality and efficiency.
• Reduce DHU (Defects per Hundred Units), rejection rates, and customer claims.
• Monitor corrective and preventive action (CAPA) implementation.
• Prepare audit reports and improvement plans.
• Handle customer complaints and quality-related issues professionally.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly quality reports.
• Monitor KPIs such as: DHU %, First Pass Yield (FPY), Rework %, Customer Claim Rate, Audit Pass Rate.
• Attended quickly to emergencies and helped resolve concerns.
• Listened to directives from senior team members to complete safe, accurate work.
• Updated system records with current information.

Sample Development Manager & Cut Planning - Yakjin Michigan Garments Vietnam - Vietnam

(2014-01 - 2015-01)

Directed sample room operations for Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Walmart, Victoria's Secret, La Senza, RL Polo, Esprit, DKNY, Lane Bryant, and others.

• Monitor and track the development of samples (proto, fit, size set, pre-production) to meet deadlines.
• Develop and implement cutting plans based on production schedules and style requirements.
• Coordinate with the Production, Merchandising, and Fabric Procurement teams to ensure timely availability of fabric and markers.
• Review and approve fabric consumption reports and marker efficiency before bulk cutting.
• Allocate workloads to cutting supervisors, team leaders, and operators.
• Completed regular tasks and temporary assignments as directed.
• Trained and mentored new workers on policies and procedures.

Technical Design Manager - Nurian / Terratex Company Ltd - Vietnam

(2012-01 - 2014-01)

Oversaw PD for brands like Chico's, Gloria Vanderbilt, Black & White Market, S. Oliver, Tory Burch, and Zumba.

• Assist in managing the end-to-end product development process from concept to production.
• Collaborate with designers, merchandisers, technical teams, and suppliers to ensure product specifications are accurate and achievable.
• Ensure timely communication of sample revisions and approvals.

Quality Assurance Manager - Li & Fung - Philippines

(2000-01 - 2012-01)

• Overseeing quality control processes to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulation.
• Coordinate for QA related activities.
• Align quality requirements of the category (down to item level) across different stakeholders (Merchandisers / 3rd party laboratory / Customer Quality department / suppliers).
• Provide QA advice on complex product items to factories before and during the manufacturing process.
• Conduct factory audits to ensure that factories meet international/customers' compliance standards.
• Check samples against product specifications as sample inspections to ensure that they meet customers' quality standards.
• Establish and execute supplier quality and performance strategy and system.
• Identify product quality risk and develop solution plans.
• Set up guidelines for selection of vendors and identify reliable vendors with the establishment of factory assessment and quality audit template; coordinate with compliance team or 3rd party for factory audit; establish quality KPI and vendor scoring system.
• Manage the quality standards with regular updates on new regulations, elaborate country regulations, safety requirements and norm, analyze quality failure and implement assessment corrective and preventive action.
• Align quality standard, factory audit and testing requirements with team in other offshore offices.
• Create and maintain SOP and client quality process.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Pattern & Sample Development Manager - Dae Yong Garments - Seoul

(1997-01 - 1999-01)

Led pattern design and sample development for major US and EU brands.

• Monitor and track the development of samples (proto, fit, size set, pre-production) to meet deadlines.
• Collaborate with designers, merchandisers, technical teams, and suppliers to ensure product specifications are accurate and achievable.
• Ensure timely communication of sample revisions and approvals.

Pattern Maker & QA - Saudi Military Uniform & Accessories - Saudi Arabia

(1995-01 - 1997-01)

Developed patterns for Military Uniforms across Gulf countries, and later transitioned into Quality Assurance management.

• Led continuous improvement in vendor performance via structured capability reviews and on-site support.

Bachelor's - Business Administration, Major in Quality Management - Cebu Institute of Technology

Textile & Garment Engineer - Xavier Technical Training Center

Pattern & Marker Making, Plotter & Laser Technology - Lectra Systeme's