About the Role
The Director of Quality leads the End-to-End Quality pole of Product Operations. This role owns the quality system and provides an independent assessment of quality risk across the product lifecycle, from supplier and contract manufacturer qualification and homologation to release, post-launch surveillance, and CAPA. The Director of Quality is responsible for transforming quality data into preventive measures, reducing cost of poor quality (COPQ), and enhancing supplier accountability to protect consumers and the brand.
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Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Quality Strategy & Leadership
- Define and own the end-to-end quality strategy, standards, and quality management system.
- Provide an independent view of quality risk to the VP of Product Operations and the Newness Committee.
- Lead the quality team with strong leadership and clear decision rights.
- Determine team sizing based on actual workload and portfolio risk.
Development Quality & Homologation
- Confirm each project's risk score and development pathway during the brief.
- Define critical quality attributes, acceptance criteria, and test strategies in collaboration with Packaging and Product Development.
- Independently co-sign pilot homologation and final homologation (formula and pack).
- Qualify suppliers and contract manufacturers for their quality capabilities before launch.
Supplier, Production & Release Quality
- Establish quality agreements, acceptable quality level (AQL), and control plans with suppliers, contract manufacturers, and third-party logistics (3PL).
- Ensure contract manufacturers comply with cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) (ISO 22716).
- Oversee incoming, in-process, and finished goods quality controls, and product release procedures.
- Hold products that do not meet release criteria.
- Govern deviations, concessions, and change control processes in collaboration with Packaging.
- Conduct supplier audits and quality scorecards, contributing to Procurement business reviews.
Post-Launch, CAPA & Crisis Management
- Monitor consumer complaints, reviews, retailer feedback, and quality trends.
- Own Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) governance, from root cause analysis to evidence closure.
- Lead the Crisis Cell from initial alert to closed corrective action in coordination with Legal.
- Differentiate design-origin from supply-origin issues; drive supplier accountability and recovery efforts in collaboration with Procurement, Legal, and Finance.
- Track cost of poor quality (COPQ) with Finance and target significant sources of loss.
Quality Records & Learning Loop
- Maintain a project quality record that documents each step, deviation, and action taken, prepared for extraction.
- Drive the implementation of digital quality tools and data, linked to internal systems.
- Integrate lessons learned into specifications, design rules, and Kaizen priorities.
Leadership and Coaching
- Lead, coach, and develop quality managers, specialists, and technologists.
- Build quality capabilities across Product Operations, suppliers, and contract manufacturers.
- Serve as a role model for independent, fact-based judgment.
Cross-Functional Partnership & Strategic Exposure
- Collaborate with Packaging, Product Development, Regulatory, Procurement, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, and consumer care teams.
- Support compliance with cosmetic and packaging regulations, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), in partnership with Regulatory.
- Present quality performance, risks, and decisions needed to leadership.
- Escalate unresolved critical quality risks through the established governance channels.
Requirements
- Proven experience in running quality for a brand with outsourced manufacturing, including contract manufacturers and component suppliers.
- Deep knowledge of cosmetic GMP (ISO 22716), quality management systems (ISO 9001), AQL sampling, and release processes.
- Solid understanding of formula and packaging quality, including compatibility and functional testing.
- Track record in performing supplier audits, qualification, CAPA, and crisis management or recall management.
- Experience in establishing a quality function and leading quality managers.
- Data-driven approach: familiarity with COPQ, quality KPIs, and statistical tools.
- Awareness of cosmetic and packaging regulations in key markets (EU, US, GCC), in partnership with Regulatory teams.
- Proven ability to make independent, fact-based judgments while remaining firm under pressure and constructive with partners.
- 12+ years of quality management experience, including leadership roles in beauty, personal care, or similar regulated consumer goods sectors.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, or a related scientific discipline.
Benefits
- Monthly “Self Love Days” at the company's discretion.
- Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and dependents.
- Monthly coaching sessions with our in-house Success Coach.
- Employee discounts on all products.
- Quarterly product gifting.
The company is committed to building diverse and inclusive teams and upholding an equal employment workplace free from discrimination. All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, medical conditions, disability, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations are available at any point in the application or interview process.
