ABOUT THE ROLEThe
Director, Quality - Innovation is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and driving the quality strategy within the innovation pipeline. This position leads a dedicated team that partners with Research, Development & Engineering (RD&E) and Marketing to embed a quality-first mindset into product development. The role ensures that new products meet rigorous quality standards, deliver exceptional customer experience, and align with business objectives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic Leadership & Vision:
- Define and champion the quality strategy for innovation projects, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and customer expectations.
- Serve as the executive voice for quality within innovation forums, influencing decisions at the highest levels.
Team Leadership & Development:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Innovation Quality team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Allocate resources effectively to support multiple innovation projects across global markets.
Cross-Functional Partnership:
- Collaborate with RD&E and Marketing leadership to integrate quality principles into product design, development, and commercialization processes.
- Drive early engagement in concept development to proactively identify risks and ensure robust design controls.
Governance & Process Excellence:
- Establish and maintain quality frameworks for innovation, including stage-gate processes, risk management, and validation protocols.
- Implement metrics and reporting systems to monitor quality performance and provide visibility to senior leadership.
Customer-Centric Focus:
- Ensure voice-of-customer insights and market feedback are embedded into product requirements and quality standards.
- Lead post-launch reviews to capture learnings and drive continuous improvement in future innovation cycles.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE YOU'LL BRING- 12+ years' experience in Quality leadership roles, including at least 5 years managing teams in innovation or product development environments.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS- Master's degree in engineering / Science / Chemistry.
- Expertise in quality systems, design controls, and risk management methodologies (FMEA, DOE, Six Sigma).
- Experience in FMCG, Pharma, Cosmetics or Food industries.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives in complex, fast-paced settings.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and compliance standards relevant to the industry.
- Professional Certifications (ASQ CQE, Six Sigma Black Belt) are a plus.
- Driving Execution and strong ability to influence individuals, both upwards and downwards in organization.
- Building Organizational Relationships.
- Visionary thinking and used to operate in highly complex environment.
- Leadership Versatility and ability to manage remote teams High Impact Delivery.
- High Impact Delivery.
- Drive for Stakeholder Success.
JOB REQUIREMENTS- Full-time.
- This role is eligible for domestic relocation.
- Remote work is available once a week for eligible employees.
