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knitting quality analyst

title: 'Job Specification: Knitting Quality Analyst'
salary: Competitive and Commensurate with Experience
categories: [Quality Assurance, Textiles, Apparel & Fashion, Manufacturing, Product Development]
description: A comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities, required technical skills and professional background for the role of a 'Job Specification: Knitting Quality Analyst'.

🎯 Role Definition

The Knitting Quality Analyst serves as a critical guardian of product integrity and brand reputation within the knitwear category. This role is deeply embedded in the product lifecycle, from initial yarn selection and swatch development to in-process production auditing and final garment inspection. The Analyst is the technical expert for all things related to knit construction, quality standards, and manufacturing processes. They collaborate closely with Design, Product Development, and Sourcing teams, as well as external factory partners, to proactively identify potential quality issues, implement corrective actions, and ensure that the final product delivered to the customer is flawless and consistent with the approved design intent. This position requires a meticulous eye for detail, a profound understanding of textile science, and a passion for creating high-quality apparel.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Garment Technologist
  • Textile Lab Technician
  • Assistant Technical Designer (Knitwear)
  • Factory Quality Inspector

Advancement To:

  • Senior Knitting Quality Analyst
  • Quality Assurance Manager (Apparel/Textiles)
  • Technical Design Manager (Knitwear)
  • Product Integrity Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Garment Technologist
  • Product Developer (Knitwear)
  • Sourcing & Production Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive risk assessments on new knitwear designs, analyzing technical packs and sketches to proactively identify potential quality, production, and cost challenges before sampling begins.
  • Evaluate and approve initial knit-down swatches and yarn submissions, verifying that yarn quality, color, weight, and hand-feel match the specified standards and design intent.
  • Perform meticulous inspections of all sample stages, including proto, fit, pre-production (PP), and top-of-production (TOP) samples, ensuring adherence to construction details, dimensions, and overall quality.
  • Manage the lab dip and bulk fabric color approval process, utilizing a lightbox and spectrophotometer to ensure color consistency across all production lots and components.
  • Lead or actively participate in fit sessions alongside Technical Designers and Merchants, providing expert feedback on garment fit, drape, and construction to ensure functionality and comfort.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive quality standard manuals and documentation for all knitwear products, establishing clear and objective benchmarks for factory partners.
  • Issue detailed and clear comments, approvals, or rejections to vendors and factories for each sample submission, using annotated images and precise technical language to prevent misinterpretation.
  • Travel to and perform on-site quality audits at domestic and international manufacturing facilities, conducting in-line inspections and assessing factory compliance with company quality procedures.
  • Implement and monitor AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) standards for finished garment inspections, making informed decisions to pass or fail production lots based on audit results.
  • Create and follow up on Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) with factory partners when quality failures or deviations are identified, ensuring root causes are addressed to prevent recurrence.
    ⚫️ Analyze returned or defective merchandise to identify trends in quality issues, providing data-driven feedback to the design, development, and production teams for continuous improvement.
  • Validate that all garments meet mandatory legal and regulatory requirements, including fiber content labeling, care instructions, and any restricted substance testing protocols.
  • Review and approve bulk production testing reports for key performance metrics such as shrinkage, torqueing, colorfastness, and pilling, ensuring they meet established thresholds.
  • Train and calibrate factory-level QC staff on brand-specific quality expectations, inspection methods, and reporting standards to build capability and partnership.
  • Maintain a highly organized physical and digital library of approved development swatches, color standards, and sealed TOP samples for future reference and consistency.
  • Collaborate with the Sourcing team to evaluate the technical capabilities and quality control systems of potential new factory partners.
  • Monitor production schedules to anticipate and plan for key quality checkpoints, ensuring timely feedback is provided to keep production on track.
  • Act as the primary technical point of contact for resolving any quality-related disputes or discrepancies that arise during the production cycle.
  • Research and stay current with new technologies, techniques, and innovations in knitwear manufacturing, materials, and quality assurance.
  • Prepare and present regular reports on key quality metrics, such as factory performance, defect rates by style, and sample approval timelines, to management.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc analysis of quality data, such as defect rates by factory or style, to inform sourcing strategies.
  • Contribute to the organization's continuous improvement initiatives by recommending process enhancements in the product-to-market pipeline.
  • Collaborate with business units, particularly Design and Merchandising, to translate aesthetic needs into tangible and manufacturable technical specifications.
  • Participate in cross-functional project meetings and team updates, representing the Quality Assurance function.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert Knowledge of Knitting: Deep understanding of various knit structures (jersey, rib, interlock, jacquard, intarsia) and knitting machine types (circular, flat-bed, whole-garment).
  • Yarn Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of different fiber types (natural and synthetic), yarn spinning systems, and their impact on garment performance and aesthetics.
  • Garment Construction: Proficiency in understanding and evaluating garment construction, including seam types, linking, and finishing techniques specific to knitwear.
  • Tech Pack Interpretation: Ability to read, interpret, and critique detailed technical packs, including Bills of Materials (BOMs), grade rules, and construction diagrams.
  • Color Evaluation: Trained eye for color, with proficiency in using a lightbox and familiarity with color standards like Pantone, as well as understanding metamerism.
  • AQL Inspection: Formal training or significant experience in conducting statistical quality audits using AQL methodologies.
  • Fit Evaluation: Strong understanding of garment fit, balance, and drape on a live model or dress form.
  • Testing Standards: Knowledge of standard textile testing procedures (AATCC/ASTM) for properties like shrinkage, colorfastness, and pilling.
  • Defect Classification: Ability to accurately identify, classify (critical, major, minor), and articulate a wide range of knitting, linking, and finishing defects.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Excel for reporting, Word for documentation, and Outlook for communication.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An exceptional ability to notice minute details and inconsistencies in samples and production goods.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to diagnose quality issues and develop effective solutions.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly and diplomatically, especially with non-native English speakers.
  • Time Management & Organization: Ability to manage multiple projects and seasons simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet strict deadlines.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: A proactive and cooperative attitude, with the ability to build strong working relationships with internal teams and external partners.
  • Assertiveness & Negotiation: Confidence to make firm quality decisions and negotiate effectively with factories to uphold standards.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and significant industry experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in a relevant technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Textile Science or Textile Engineering
  • Apparel/Garment Manufacturing
  • Fashion Design with a Technical Focus

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of direct, hands-on experience in a quality assurance, technical design, or product development role focused specifically on knitwear.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a role with direct responsibility for knitwear quality within a high-volume retail, wholesale, or brand environment. Experience involving regular communication and travel to overseas manufacturing facilities is highly desirable.
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