JOB DESCRIPTION HEAD OF COMPLIANCE

Position: Head – Compliance

Department: Compliance

Industry: Garment Manufacturing & Export

Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced Head of Compliance with strong knowledge of social, ethical, technical, environmental, and buyer compliance audits in the garment manufacturing/export industry.

The candidate should have in-depth knowledge of Inditex/Zara compliance requirements and audits and be capable of independently managing audit preparation, execution, corrective actions, documentation, and closure. Strong English communication skills are mandatory, with the ability to communicate confidently with international buyers, auditors, management, and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Compliance & Audit Management

- Manage end-to-end compliance requirements for the factory and ensure continuous audit readiness.
- Handle and coordinate social, ethical, technical, environmental, sustainability, and buyer-specific audits.
- Prepare the factory for announced and unannounced audits.
- Coordinate with auditors, certification bodies, buyers, and third-party agencies.
- Lead pre-audit preparation, documentation review, factory readiness, and audit-day coordination.
- Review audit reports, identify gaps, and prepare effective Corrective Action Plans (CAP).
- Ensure timely closure of all findings and maintain proper evidence/documentation.

2. Inditex / Zara Compliance – SPECIALIZATION

- Strong and practical knowledge of Inditex/Zara audit requirements, standards, protocols, and compliance expectations.
- Independently manage Inditex social/ethical and technical audit preparation and follow-up.
- Ensure factory compliance with Inditex requirements related to:
- Working hours and wages
- Health & Safety
- Fire & Life Safety
- Worker welfare
- Grievance mechanisms
- Child labour and forced labour prevention
- Recruitment practices
- Environmental requirements
- Chemical management
- Traceability and documentation
- Factory conditions and technical requirements

- Coordinate with relevant teams to close Inditex audit observations within required timelines.
- Maintain continuous readiness for Zara/Inditex buyer inspections and audits.

3. Social & Ethical Compliance

- Ensure compliance with applicable labour laws and buyer standards.
- Monitor working hours, overtime, wages, leave, attendance, benefits, and statutory requirements.




- Ensure implementation of policies relating to child labour, forced labour, discrimination, harassment, freedom of association, disciplinary practices, and worker welfare.
- Conduct regular internal compliance inspections and worker interviews.
- Monitor employee documentation and statutory records.

4. Health, Safety & Technical Compliance

- Ensure compliance related to fire safety, electrical safety, building safety, machinery safety, PPE, emergency preparedness, and workplace conditions.
- Conduct regular factory compliance rounds and identify potential non-conformities before external audits.
- Coordinate with Admin, Maintenance, Production, HR, and EHS teams for corrective actions.
- Ensure proper maintenance of safety records, training records, inspection reports, and certificates.

5. Environmental & Sustainability Compliance

- Manage environmental and sustainability compliance requirements.
- Ensure proper documentation for waste management, water, energy, chemicals, emissions, and environmental permits.
- Coordinate with relevant teams for sustainability certifications and buyer requirements.
- Maintain records required for environmental and sustainability audits.

6. Audit Experience

Candidate should have positive exposure to multiple audit platforms and standards, including:

- Inditex / Zara Audits
- Social & Ethical Audits
- Technical Audits
- SEDEX / SMETA
- BSCI
- WRAP
- GOTS
- OCS
- GRS
- BCI
- Environmental / Sustainability Audits
- Buyer-specific compliance audits
- Factory Assessment / C-TPAT-related requirements, where applicable

7. Documentation & CAP Management

- Maintain complete and updated compliance documentation.
- Develop audit checklists and compliance trackers.
- Prepare audit files and evidence before audits.
- Track all NCs/observations and ensure timely CAP closure.
- Maintain an audit history and compliance improvement plan.
- Prepare regular Compliance MIS and management reports.

8. Training & Team Management





- Conduct compliance awareness and time-to-time training for workers, supervisors, and management.
- Train employees on fire safety, workplace conduct, grievance procedures, policies, and buyer requirements.
- Lead and develop the Compliance team.
- Define responsibilities and monitor team performance.
- Ensure all departments understand their compliance responsibilities.

Communication Skills – Mandatory

- Excellent English communication skills – verbal and written.
- Confident in communicating with international buyers, Inditex/Zara representatives, auditors, certification bodies, and third-party agencies.
- Ability to independently handle audit meetings, opening/closing meetings, auditor queries, and clarification discussions.
- Excellent professional email drafting and documentation skills.
- Strong presentation, negotiation, coordination, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to communicate compliance issues clearly to senior management and drive corrective action across departments.

Required Skills

- Strong knowledge of Inditex/Zara compliance and audit processes.
- Excellent knowledge of social, ethical, technical, environmental, and sustainability compliance.
- Strong knowledge of Indian labour laws and statutory compliance.
- Strong audit preparation and CAP closure skills.
- Excellent documentation and analytical skills.
- Strong leadership and team management ability.
- Good knowledge of MS Excel, compliance trackers, MIS, and documentation systems.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple audits simultaneously.

Qualification & Experience

- Graduate/Postgraduate in HR, Labour Welfare, Compliance, Social Science, Law, Textile, or relevant field.
- 8–12+ years of relevant experience in garment manufacturing/export compliance.
- Strong experience in handling Inditex/Zara audits is highly preferred.
- Experience in an export garment factory/buying house handling international buyers will be an advantage.

Key Competencies

Inditex/Zara Compliance | Social Compliance | Technical Audits | SMETA/SEDEX | Environmental Compliance | Labour Law | Audit Management | CAP Closure | Factory Compliance | Documentation | Buyer Communication | Team Leadership | Strong English CommunicationRole & responsibilities

Preferred candidate profile

📌 Compliance Head (Noida)
🏢 Fashionc Overseas Exports
📍 Noida