We are looking for an experienced Footwear Sourcing & Quality Merchant with deep networks in North Indian footwear manufacturing hubs. You will be responsible for scouting, vetting, and onboarding top-tier export-quality factories and job-work units, executing tech packs into production-ready samples, negotiating BOM/labor costing, and managing rigorous end-to-end Quality Control (AQL 2.5) to ensure zero-defect scaling.

Key Responsibilities1. Factory Sourcing & Vendor Onboarding (Job-Work & OEMs)

- Cluster Mapping: Scout, audit, and onboard high-finish footwear factories and job-work workshops across Agra, Bahadurgarh, Narela, Kundli, and Noida.
- Capability Audits: Evaluate factory machinery (automated lasting lines, hydraulic presses, CNC cutting, cement bonding lines) and workforce skill to match export-quality finishing (Zara, Aldo, Steve Madden standards).
- Compliance Checks: Verify that partner factories hold active BIS CML Licenses (IS 6721 for polymeric/EVA, IS 6719/13893 for outsoles) to ensure 100% legal compliance for domestic retail and e-commerce platforms.
- Job-Work Management: Negotiate competitive per-pair job-work labor charges, waste allowances, and lead times for small-batch to high-volume runs.

1. Sample Development & Merchandising

- Tech Pack Execution: Translate design sketches and tech specs into commercial prototypes, ensuring accurate pattern making, upper fit, and heel balance.
- Component Integration: Coordinate the assembly of imported components (Chinese acrylic heels, embellished uppers, hardware) with domestic outsoles, shank boards, and custom dual-density insoles.
- Last & Fitting Validation: Oversee HDPE last development, toe-box fitting, instep clearance, and arch alignment to prevent sizing/fitting return issues in D2C channels.

1. Quality Assurance (QA) & Field Inspection

- Inline & DUPRO Inspections: Conduct regular During Production (DUPRO) checks at vendor facilities to catch lasting, cementing,



or stitching defects early.
- Final Random Inspection (FRI): Execute strict pre-shipment inspections following AQL 2.5 standards (General Inspection Level II).
- Physical Testing: Perform crucial physical tests in office:
- Heel Pull-Strength Test: Ensuring acrylic and stiletto heel stems withstand vertical/torque forces.
- Bonding/Sole Adhesion Test: Testing cement strength between outsoles and uppers.
- Flexing & Hardness Test: Verifying EVA/TPR sole durometer ratings ( targeting 43±2 Asker C for EVA).
- Defect Control: Maintain zero tolerance for visible glue marks, misaligned heel breasts, uneven edge-dyeing, or loose stitching.

1. Costing, BOM & Supply Chain Operations

- Calculate accurate Bill of Materials (BOM), consumption yields (PU/fabric square footage, thread, adhesive volume), and landed pair costs.
- Track production schedules against critical path timelines to guarantee on-time delivery for seasonal campaign drops.

Required Skills & Technical Qualifications
- Experience: 4 to 8+ years of hands-on experience in footwear merchandising, sourcing, or quality assurance with an export house, high-end retail brand, or sourcing agency.
- Education: Degree or Diploma in Footwear Technology from FDDI (Footwear Design & Development Institute), CFTI, or NIFT is strongly preferred.
- Technical Mastery:
- Deep understanding of shoe construction (Cemented, Injection Molded EVA, Stitched, Board Lasted).
- Knowledge of structural components: Steel shanks, ABS plastic heel stems, Tunit/TPR/PVC outsoles, Texon boards, and memory foam/PU cushioning.
- Hands-on familiarity with SATRA testing standards and AQL 2.5 sampling tables.
- Local Network: Established, active relationships with factory owners, job-workers, sole molders, and component suppliers in Agra and Delhi-NCR.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong negotiation skills for job-work rates, yield calculations, and vendor credit terms.

Pay: ₹25,000.00 - ₹45,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person

📌 Senior Footwear Sourcing & Quality Merchant (Karol Bagh)
🏢 Ruby Steps
📍 Karol Bagh