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Career Opportunity: Quality Assurance Executive at ODEL
Joining the Quality Assurance division at ODEL offers a rewarding pathway for fashion and textile professionals who have a keen eye for precision and craftsmanship. As a member of Sri Lanka’s leading fashion retail group, a Quality Assurance Executive ensures every garment meets stringent international standards, direct buyer specifications, and technical benchmarks before hitting the retail floor.
About Us
ODEL stands as Sri Lanka’s premier fashion and lifestyle department store chain, headquartered in Colombo 07. As part of Softlogic Holdings PLC, ODEL works alongside renowned retail brands, including Cotton Collection, which operating under the group’s retail umbrella since its acquisition. Cotton Collection, founded in 1991, has grown into a major market player with flagship brands like COCO. Together, the group continues to expand its physical and digital footprint, setting high benchmarks for apparel quality, consumer trends, and retail excellence across the country. ODEL website
Role Comparison: ODEL QA Executive vs. Standard Factory QA
| Feature / Aspect | ODEL Quality Assurance Executive | Traditional Factory QA Role |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | End-to-end retail quality, buyer alignment, and brand standards | High-volume line production and floor batch checks |
| Communication Scope | Direct liaison with buyers, merchandisers, and suppliers | Limited mostly to internal factory managers |
| Tech & Process | Focus on modern finishing standards and process optimization | Repetitive inline/outline standard checks |
| Work Environment | Corporate retail ecosystem (Colombo 07 base) | Floor-level manufacturing plant |
Core Responsibilities & Key Duties
- Buyer Liaison & Technical Approval: Maintain active communication with buyers regarding technical specs, sample approvals, and technical clarifications.
- Process Coordination: Act as the central link between sample departments, merchandising teams, and production facilities to ensure seamless workflows.
- Quality Standard Enforcement: Implement rigorous inspection protocols across initial finishing, fitting, and technical packaging stages.
- Troubleshooting & Flow Optimization: Collaborate directly with production personnel to identify process bottlenecks, address stitch/fabric flaws, and refine garment finishing standards.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all items adhere to strict brand guidelines, buyer safety regulations, and ethical production practices.
Qualification Requirements
- Education: Diploma in Textile Engineering, Clothing Technology, or an equivalent technical qualification.
- Work Experience: 4 to 5 years of hands-on experience in apparel quality assurance or production control.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for compiling quality logs and technical reports.
- Soft Skills: Fluent written and verbal communication skills to manage cross-departmental coordination and buyer updates effectively.
Key Benefits of Joining ODEL
- Retail Giant Exposure: Work within the Softlogic Holdings PLC network, gaining career visibility in high-end retail management.
- Career Progression: Clear developmental pathways toward senior Quality Assurance, Technical, or Merchandising roles.
- Skill Diversification: Move beyond raw manufacturing into retail-facing quality management and buyer interaction.
- Dynamic Work Culture: Thrive in a collaborative environment located in the commercial heart of Colombo.
Location & Salary Insights
Location Context
This position is centered in Colombo 07, offering access to Sri Lanka’s modern commercial hub, corporate headquarters, and retail leadership teams.
Salary Expectations
Remuneration for a QA Executive with 4–5 years of experience within the retail and apparel sector in Sri Lanka is competitive. Packages are typically structured based on individual qualifications, industry track record, and technical aptitude, complemented by standard Softlogic corporate benefits.
Why Join Our Team?
When you join ODEL, you are aligning with the nation’s fastest-growing fashion retail network. Backed by Softlogic Holdings PLC, our workplace culture encourages innovation, technological adoption, and personal development. We believe quality is the foundation of customer trust; thus, our QA team plays a central role in driving brand loyalty and business success.
Practical Career Guide Tips for Apparel QA Professionals
Build Technical Mastery
Stay updated on modern textile testing methods, sustainable fabric treatments, and evolving international garment construction standards.
Focus on Preventive QA
Transition your mindset from simply catching defects (quality control) to preventing them through proper sample evaluation and process mapping (quality assurance).
Strengthen Cross-Functional Collaboration
Quality managers work best when they speak the language of both merchandisers (deadlines/costs) and factory managers (machine settings/stitching limitations).
How to Prepare Your CV for This Position
- Highlight Specific Metrics: Mention measurable achievements on your CV (e.g., “Reduced line-defect rates by 15% through improved initial finishing audits”).
- Detail Tech Pack & Buyer Knowledge: State clearly which international or regional buyers you have directly communicated with regarding technical approvals.
- Emphasize Dual Expertise: Explicitly list both your technical qualifications (Textile Engineering Diploma) and your computer/software competencies (MS Excel for audit sheets).
- Keep It Structured: Organize experience reverse-chronologically, clearly separating daily duties from specific high-impact projects.
Preparing for the Interview
What to Focus On
- Review standard garment inspection systems (e.g., AQL levels, 4-Point System).
- Be ready to discuss real cases where you resolved technical disputes between factory production teams and merchandisers.
- Bring a portfolio or brief summary of past technical sheets and quality logs you have managed.
3 Common Interview Questions & How to Approach Them
1. “How do you handle a situation where a production batch fails initial finishing checks right before a shipping deadline?”
- Focus: Explain your process for risk assessment, root-cause analysis, clear buyer/merchandiser communication, and setting up corrective action plans (CAP) without compromising core quality standards.
2. “Can you walk us through your step-by-step process for approving a pre-production sample?”
- Focus: Detail how you check measurements against the tech pack, assess seam strength and finishing, verify accessories/trims, and document comments for buyer review.
3. “How do you use data tools like MS Excel to track defect patterns across different suppliers?”
- Focus: Discuss how you record audit results, categorize defects (critical, major, minor), generate trends, and present actionable feedback to factory management.
How to Apply & Contact Information
Interested candidates who meet the selection criteria should prepare an updated CV along with contact details for two non-related referees. More Jobs
- Application Channel: Submit your application through the official Softlogic Careers portal or forward your CV to the HR department via ODEL’s official recruitment email.
- Reference: Please quote “Quality Assurance Executive – ODEL / Cotton Collection” in the email subject line or cover letter.
- Address: ODEL PLC, Headquarters, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.
Disclaimer: This document is an independently rewritten career guide and job overview created for informational and career planning purposes. Job requirements, vacancies, and corporate details are subject to updates by ODEL and Softlogic Holdings PLC. Applicants are advised to verify active vacancy listings directly through official Softlogic corporate communications or authorized job portals.