Gemstone Internal Quality Executive

5.Sr. Executive – Internal Quality

Department: Gemstone Sourcing 

Reporting TO-

Deputy group Manager – Gemstone Sourcing (Rahul kulkarni)

Job Purpose

To establish and manage a robust internal gemstone quality assurance system covering incoming gemstones, proto gemstones, outright procurement, vendor supplies, stock and jewellery production requirements.

The role will ensure consistent adherence to defined gemstone quality standards through inspection, measurement, , quality control, process audits, vendor feedback and continuous improvement.

The position will also act as a key interface between Gemstone Sourcing, Quality Assurance, Design, Merchandising, NPI, Jewellery Manufacturing and Gemstone Vendor Partners.

 Key Responsibilities

A. Internal Gemstone Quality Inspection

• Conduct inspection of gemstones received through in-house, outright procurement, vendor supplies, proto/MTO requirements and other sourcing channels.
• Ensure gemstones comply with approved specifications before inwarding / acceptance.
• Inspect critical parameters including:
• Colour / hue / tone / saturation
• Size and dimensions
• Shape
• Cut and polish
• Clarity
• Inclusions
• Matching / pairing
• Surface quality
• Damage / breakage
• Calibrated / cut-to-fit dimensions
• Identify and segregate non-conforming gemstones.

.

 Quality Standards & SOP Development

• Develop, implement and continuously improve Gemstone Quality Standards, Inspection SOPs and Work Instructions.
• Establish quality parameters for different gemstone categories and applications.
• Define acceptance / rejection criteria and tolerance levels.
• Develop inspection standards for:
• Regular gemstones
• High-value gemstones
• Proto gemstones
• Cut-to-fit stones
• Matched / paired stones
• Special / unique gemstones
• Ensure standardisation of quality evaluation across vendors and internal teams.

 Vendor Quality Management

• Monitor vendor-wise gemstone quality performance.
• Conduct vendor quality audits and capability assessments where required.
• Analyse recurring quality issues and initiate corrective actions.
• Share structured quality feedback with gemstone vendors.
• Support vendor development through quality training and technical guidance.
• Track vendor rejection, rework and defect trends.

 Proto Quality

• Support quality validation of gemstones used for proto and MTO development.
• Ensure gemstones supplied for prototypes meet approved design and technical specifications.
• Analyse proto rejection and rework reasons.
• Support improvement of First Time-Right (FTR) gemstone supply.

Quality Control at Source & In warding

• Establish appropriate inspection checkpoints across the gemstone supply process.
• Support pre-dispatch quality checks for critical gemstone orders.
• Define inspection sampling methodologies based on gemstone category, value and risk.
• Ensure proper quality records and traceability for gemstone inwarding.
• Coordinate with relevant teams for disposition of rejected / disputed stones.

 Quality Data & Analytics

Develop and maintain a Gemstone Quality Dashboard covering:

• Vendor-wise rejection
• Defect categories
• Quality trends
• Rework
• FTR
• Dimensional deviations
• Treatment discrepancies
• Customer / manufacturing feedback

• Use data to identify quality improvement opportunities.

 Jewellery Manufacturing Quality Interface

• Work closely with Jewellery Manufacturing and Jewellery Vendor Partners to understand gemstone-related production issues.
• Analyse issues such as:
• Stone mismatch
• Setting difficulty
• Dimensional variation
• Chipping / breakage
• Colour mismatch
• Cut-related issues
• Convert manufacturing feedback into improvements in gemstone sourcing and quality standards.
• Support technical problem-solving for critical gemstone issues.

Training & Quality Awareness

• Train sourcing and procurement teams on basic gemstone quality evaluation.
• Develop visual quality guides, reference samples and Gemstone Quality Libraries.
• Create standard reference sets for colour, clarity, cut, dimensions and acceptable inclusions.

3. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Internal gemstone rejection rate
• Vendor rejection rate
• First-Time-Right (FTR) percentage
• Reduction in quality-related rework
• Quality complaint reduction
• Vendor quality improvement
• Quality inspection turnaround time
• SOP / quality standard implementation
• Reduction in manufacturing-related gemstone quality issues
• Training effectiveness and coverage

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of coloured gemstones
• Knowledge of colour, clarity, cut, polish and inclusions
• Knowledge of AQL / sampling concepts
• Quality systems and SOP development
• Strong Excel / MIS / data-analysis skills
• Basic understanding of jewellery manufacturing and setting

Behavioural Competencies

• High attention to detail
• Strong quality mindset
• Analytical and problem-solving ability
• Objectivity and consistency in decision-making
• Strong communication skills
• Vendor influencing and stakeholder management
• Ownership and accountability
• Ability to challenge deviations constructively
• Continuous improvement mindset

5. Qualification & Experience

Qualification

• Graduate in science /commerce / Gemmology / Jewellery
• Gemmological qualification from a recognised institute will be preferred.

Experience

• Preferably 4–7 years of experience in gemstone quality, jewellery quality, gemstone sourcing, manufacturing quality or related functions.
• Hands-on experience in coloured gemstone inspection and evaluation is preferred.
• Experience in quality systems, vendor quality and process improvement will be an advantage.