Senior Specialist, Materials Quality, Footwear

Key Purpose of the Job:
This role supports quality assurance and risk mitigation specifically for footwear materials. The Senior Specialist will partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify potential material quality issues and lead proactive measures to ensure consistent performance, compliance, and fitness-for-use of footwear materials. This role also supports supplier performance improvement through technical training, governance programs, and cross-functional collaboration. As a subject matter expert in footwear materials, this role will educate teams, drive material knowledge sharing, and promote material innovation and excellence across the organization.

Key Area of Responsibility:
• Lead and support the certification and training (SCP) of footwear material suppliers to ensure alignment with VF quality standards and proper calibration procedures.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Brands, Sourcing, Product Development, GMS, etc.) to identify root causes of material quality issues and implement corrective actions for footwear materials.
• Maintain clear, consistent communication with internal teams and external footwear material suppliers, promoting alignment and mutual understanding.
• Collaborate with Regional Quality (RO QM) and Global Material Services (GMS) to identify quality risks and co-develop innovative solutions specific to footwear.
• Deliver technical recommendations and best practices to improve the performance, durability, and reliability of footwear materials, while reducing quality incidents.

• Develop and implement processes and guidelines to ensure quality consistency across all categories of footwear materials, from synthetics to textiles and leathers.
  • Ensure effective testing and validation of footwear materials, collaborating with internal labs and third-party testing facilities to support product compliance and performance.

Strategic Role Relationship Building
• Engage with Brand and VF Asia teams to share actionable insights on footwear material quality that influence product outcomes and customer satisfaction.
• Build strong, trust-based partnerships within VF and with the global footwear supply base to advance material quality and innovation goals.
• Facilitate solution-oriented conversations with stakeholders to align on material performance expectations and quality targets.

Leadership

• Exhibit strong listening, communication, and collaboration skills to guide and influence cross-functional teams toward achieving high standards in footwear material quality and performance.

Required Professional Qualification:

• University degree, major in Textile / Chemical / Quality Management
  • Applicable experience in Raw material R&D, manufacturing, or related experience
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Detail oriented with strong organizational skills
  • Proven ability to develop and apply analytic solutions to solve business problems
  • Ability to work at a high level and detail level to draw conclusion and make recommendations
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

Required Competencies:

• Continuous Improvement

• Team Building

• Excellent Communication Skills

• Results Oriented

Other requirements:

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint
• Good analytical and problem solving skill
• Familiar with 5S / ISO 9001 / 8D problem solving

• Familiar with Fishbone Diagram / 5 WHY

• Knowledge in Six Sigma disciplines would be advantageous

• Manufacturing Operations Knowledge

Originally posted on Himalayas