Quality Assurance Manager at Pick n Pay Stores Limited

Minimum Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in Garment Technology, Footwear Technology, Clothing Production, Quality Management or related field
• 5–8+ years’ experience in apparel and/or footwear quality management
• Demonstrated experience in children’s product safety compliance
• Strong understanding of footwear construction and bonding processes
• Proven track record of reducing defects and improving supplier performance
• Experience working with local and international suppliers
• Proficiency in MS Office and quality reporting systems
• Willingness to travel to suppliers and retail stores as required
• Reliable own transport and smartphone

Quality Management & Category Ownership

• Own end-to-end quality performance across Babywear, Boyswear, and Children’s Footwear.
• Implement and maintain robust QA and QC systems across development and production.
• Establish and enforce category-specific technical standards and construction guidelines.
• Drive reduction in defects, returns, and customer complaints.
• Maintain category risk registers and mitigation plans.

Children’s Product Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local and international children’s product safety regulations.
• Oversee flammability, chemical compliance, small parts testing, drawcord safety, and labelling standards.
• Manage laboratory testing protocols and approvals.
• Maintain a zero-tolerance approach to unsafe product.

Testing, Standards & Technical Governance

• Define and monitor AQL standards across all categories.
• Oversee garment and footwear testing including shrinkage, colour fastness, seam strength, sole bond strength, flex testing, abrasion, hydrolysis risk, and slip resistance.
• Review lab reports and conduct root cause analysis.
• Drive corrective and preventative action plans.

Footwear Technical Oversight & Industry Advancement

• Oversee last development, grading integrity, and fit consistency.
• Ensure bonding process control and component durability standards.
• Evaluate outsole compounds and long-term material performance.
• Monitor and evaluate emerging footwear machinery, automation, and sustainable manufacturing technologies.
• Advise on adoption of new technologies that enhance quality and consistency.

Fit Strategy & Competitive Benchmarking

• Lead structured fit sessions and wear trials.
• Monitor evolving anatomical and fit trends in children’s apparel and footwear.
• Conduct regular competitor benchmarking on quality, fit, construction, and durability.
• Present benchmarking insights and improvement actions to Buying and Sourcing.

Supplier & Production Collaboration

• Act as key liaison between Design, Buying, Sourcing, and Manufacturing.
• Conduct technical factory audits and capability assessments.
• Develop and deliver supplier training aligned to company expectations in quality, sustainability, and compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement and supplier performance management.

Store-Level Quality Integration

• Conduct store visits to assess real-life product performance.
• Analyse returns data and customer complaints to identify systemic issues.
• Close the feedback loop between stores and the support office.

Sustainability & Ethical Alignment

• Partner with sourcing and sustainability teams on compliant material selection.
• Evaluate sustainable substitutions without compromising durability or safety.
• Ensure supplier adherence to ethical and legal standards.

Leadership & Reporting

• Lead QA team performance where applicable.
• Coach internal teams and suppliers on quality best practice.
• Maintain accurate quality records, reports, and corrective action logs.
• Track and report category-specific quality KPIs.
• Quantify cost of poor quality and recommend mitigation strategies.

Closing date - 03 March 2026