Fabric Inspector | Torchora

🎯 Role Definition

As a Fabric Inspector, you are the first line of defense in our quality assurance process. You will be instrumental in preventing defective materials from entering our production workflow, thereby minimizing waste, reducing costs, and safeguarding the integrity and final quality of our finished products. This position requires a sharp eye, a deep understanding of textiles, and the ability to make critical decisions that directly impact our product and customer satisfaction. Your diligence ensures that every product starts with the best possible materials.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Line Associate
Warehouse Receiver
Textile Mill Operator

Advancement To:

Senior Quality Inspector
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Textile Lab Manager
Fabric Sourcing Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Garment Inspector
Quality Control Auditor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive visual inspections of all incoming fabric rolls using industry-standard methods, such as the 4-point system, to identify and classify defects.
Meticulously examine fabrics for a wide range of imperfections, including but not limited to slubs, neps, holes, tears, broken ends, dye streaks, color variations, and finishing flaws.
Operate and maintain fabric inspection machinery, ensuring proper lighting, tension, and speed settings for accurate evaluation of different fabric types.
Accurately measure fabric characteristics, including usable width, length, and weight (GSM), to verify they align with purchase order specifications and technical sheets.
Conduct color continuity assessments under controlled lighting conditions (light box) to ensure shade consistency across different dye lots and against approved color standards.
Prepare and cut fabric swatches for physical testing, such as shrinkage, crocking, pilling, and tensile strength, and submit them to the in-house or third-party lab.
Generate detailed, accurate inspection reports for every fabric lot, clearly documenting all identified defects, their locations (mapping), and penalty points assigned.
Make informed decisions to approve, reject, or hold fabric shipments based on the severity and frequency of defects in relation to established company AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) standards.
Communicate inspection results, including defect images and detailed reports, effectively and promptly to the Quality Manager, Sourcing, and Production departments.
Segregate and clearly label non-conforming materials, initiating the returns process and coordinating with suppliers to address quality issues.
Maintain a digital and physical library of approved fabric standards, color masters, and historical inspection records for reference and training purposes.
Ensure all inspection activities adhere to strict safety protocols and maintain a clean, organized workstation and inspection area.
Verify that all incoming fabric rolls are correctly labeled with information such as style number, color, lot number, and yardage, and match this against the packing list.
Calibrate inspection tools and equipment, such as scales and measuring tapes, on a regular basis to ensure consistent accuracy.
Investigate quality claims from the cutting or sewing floor that are related to fabric defects, tracing them back to the original inspection reports and raw materials.
Input all inspection data into the company's Quality Management System (QMS) or ERP software for tracking, analysis, and reporting.
Monitor and report on supplier quality performance over time, providing data-driven feedback to the procurement and vendor management teams.
Review and understand full technical packages for new products to anticipate potential fabric quality challenges before bulk orders arrive.
Collaborate with the cutting department to provide guidance on mapping and utilizing fabric with minor, acceptable defects to maximize material yield.
Stay current with new textile technologies, testing methods, and industry quality standards to contribute to the continuous improvement of our processes.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to identify defect trends by supplier, material, or season.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of quality manuals, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and defect classification guides.
Collaborate with Sourcing and Production teams to communicate quality issues and help develop supplier corrective action plans.
Assist in training new team members on inspection protocols and participate in periodic supplier performance reviews.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Fabric Inspection Systems: Proficiency in industry-standard fabric inspection methodologies, particularly the 4-Point System and/or 10-Point System.
Textile Knowledge: Deep knowledge of textile manufacturing processes, including weaving, knitting, dyeing, and finishing, to understand the origin of defects.
Defect Identification: Expertise in identifying and classifying a wide variety of fabric defects (e.g., slubs, barré, skewing, color contamination, neps).
Textile Testing: Ability to perform basic textile tests, such as weight (GSM), shrinkage, and crocking, using standard lab equipment.
Color Evaluation: Strong color acuity and experience using light boxes (D65, CWF, etc.) and physical color standards (e.g., Pantone) for shade evaluation.
Metrology: Competency in using measurement tools like measuring tapes, rulers, and digital scales with high precision.
Software Proficiency: Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) for reporting and data entry; familiarity with ERP or Quality Management Systems (QMS) is a plus.
Technical Interpretation: Ability to read and accurately interpret technical specification sheets, purchase orders, and quality manuals.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Exceptional focus and a high degree of accuracy in observation and documentation are mandatory.
Decision Making: Strong critical thinking and judgment to confidently approve or reject materials based on objective criteria.
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clearly reporting findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Organization & Time Management: Superior ability to manage a high volume of inspections, prioritize tasks, and meet production deadlines.
Autonomy: Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also being a collaborative team player.
Problem-Solving: Strong aptitude for investigating quality issues, determining root causes, and contributing to effective solutions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate's Degree or technical certification in Textile Technology, Fashion Design, or Quality Assurance.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Textile Science
Apparel Manufacturing
Quality Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of direct experience in fabric quality inspection.

Preferred: 5+ years of experience in a fast-paced apparel or home goods manufacturing environment, with a proven track record of upholding stringent quality standards and working with a global supply chain.