VP Technical

Job Title: Vice President – Technical (Dyeing & Finishing, Knitted Fabrics: Cotton & Synthetic)

Reports To: Executive Vice President

Location: Thailand

Role Overview:

The VP – Technical is responsible for providing strategic leadership, technical expertise, and operational excellence in dyeing and finishing knitted fabrics for both cotton and synthetic fibers (including blends). This role ensures consistent high quality, cost efficiency, environmental compliance, and innovation in production processes, aligning with the company's business goals and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Technical & Process Leadership

• Oversee technical SOP for entire dyeing and finishing process for knitted cotton, polyester, nylon, elastane blends, and other synthetic fabrics.
• Define and optimize recipes, dyeing parameters, and finishing techniques for bulk production with high reproducibility.
• Lead troubleshooting for color consistency, shade matching, and defect minimization using modern tools (e.g., spectrophotometers, digital shade libraries).
• Implement advanced finishing techniques (enzyme, silicone softening, moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, UV protection, etc.) to meet customer specifications.

2. Quality Assurance

• Ensure bulk production matches lab-dip approvals and meets international colorfastness standards (ISO, AATCC).
• Develop quality control SOPs for shade, hand feel, shrinkage, pilling, and fabric performance.
• Drive zero-defect culture by improving root cause analysis and preventive action systems.

3. Innovation & R&D

• Lead R&D for eco-friendly dyes, low-liquor ratio dyeing, and sustainable chemical finishes.
• Partner with chemical suppliers for trialing new dyes, auxiliaries, and finishing agents.
• Introduce automation and digital dyeing controls for higher reproducibility and lower human error.

4. Production Efficiency

• Monitor and improve machine utilization, productivity, and right-first-time (RFT) rates.
• Optimize dyeing cycles to reduce water, steam, and chemical consumption without compromising quality.
• Oversee maintenance schedules for dyeing machines, stenters, compactors, and finishing lines.

5. Sustainability & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with ZDHC, REACH, OEKO-TEX® GOTS, and Higg Index requirements.
• Lead initiatives to reduce effluent load through better chemical selection and process control.
• Support certification audits and buyer technical inspections.

6. Team Leadership & Development

• Build and mentor a multi-disciplinary technical team (lab, development, product reproducibility and quality requirement).
• Conduct skill development programs on modern dyeing & finishing techniques.
• Foster a collaborative culture between lab, development, production, engineering and quality teams.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelors or Masters in Textile Engineering / Textile Chemistry / Dyeing Technology.
• 20+ years of experience in dyeing & finishing knitted fabrics, with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Strong knowledge of cotton, synthetic, and blend dyeing behavior (reactive, disperse, acid dyes, etc.).
• Proven record in shade matching, process optimization, and defect reduction.
• Familiarity with automated dyeing machines (e.g., Fongs, Thies, Sclavos) and finishing machines (Bruckner, LK).
• Strong understanding of color management software (Datacolor, X-Rite, SpectraVision).
• Experience with sustainability frameworks and certifications.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.