Director, Quality Assurance (AEMEA)

Kao Corporation

11d•$160,000 - $200,000

About The Position

The Director of Quality Assurance, AEMEA is responsible for overseeing the quality of Kao Group products and services in the designated market and ensuring they meet customer expectations. To achieve this, the role involves continuously monitoring quality information from internal and external sources, identifying deviations from established quality criteria, and requesting the relevant departments to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions when necessary. The Director evaluates the severity of quality problems, convenes appropriate meetings, and decides on market actions to address issues. The role also conducts or coordinates internal and external audits to verify compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements and communicates with stakeholders to ensure consumer safety and maintain the company's reputation and stakeholder trust. This position determines the need for product recalls and leads recall projects in the designated market. It serves as the Chief Quality Officer for the business region and is the head of the second line under the Three‑Lines model for quality governance. The Director reports to the Global Chief Quality Officer (G‑CQO) at HQ and receives performance evaluations from the G‑CQO. At Kao, we offer amazing benefits that are available to you on your first day of employment (healthcare, 401(k) plus company match, etc.), 41 total days off (vacation + holidays + sick) and a competitive salary range of $160,000 - $200,000 plus bonus.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field such as chemistry or pharmacy; advanced degrees are preferred.
Quality-related certifications such as ISO9001 Lead Auditor are highly desirable.
Strong knowledge of quality management systems and regulatory requirements in the cosmetics or consumer goods sector (e.g., GMP, ISO standards, FDA regulations).
Demonstrated leadership and communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams and senior management.
Exceptional capabilities in quality risk management, including risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.
Ability to provide constructive, and when necessary, critical feedback to stakeholders and functional teams, and to formally challenge decisions to ensure pursuit of optimal, organization‑level quality objectives.
Proven track record of driving quality improvement initiatives and implementing best practices to achieve measurable quality outcomes.

Responsibilities

Establishment and Operation of Quality Management System in a Region
Based on the Kao Group Basic Quality Policy and the Quality Management Regulations, promote the establishment of regional quality management regulations and continuously educate the relevant departments on their operation.
Continuously monitor both internal and external quality information to identify deviations from established quality criteria. In the event of any deviations, request the responsible departments to investigate the root cause and take corrective actions. Additionally, seek support from the Product Quality Management Department at headquarters as needed.
Ensure that feedback and complaints from customers and distributors in a region are promptly and accurately registered in the information system.
Ensure that all actions related to quality consistently align with the goal of ensuring consumer safety and maintaining company trust in a region, and take responsibility for it.
Based on the Kao Group's annual quality activity plan, develop and promote quality improvement activities in collaboration with relevant departments.
Report the regional quality status and quality assurance activities to the Global Quality Management Committee.
Maintain clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders involved in quality, ensure transparency, and build trust from consumers and society.
Quality Risk Management
Assess the severity, scope of spread, and urgency of required response for quality issues in accordance with the Critical Product Trouble Management Guidelines. If warranted, convene a Situation Assessment Meeting and promptly notify relevant departments, including the headquarters Product Quality Management (PQM) department.
When a critical product quality incident is confirmed, promptly convene a Critical Product Trouble Meeting and notify the relevant departments, including the headquarters PQM department.
Determine market actions for a critical product quality incident and lead the response team -composed of the relevant departments - in implementing those actions.
Properly document information on potential quality risks and any actual quality incidents, and report that information to the Global HQ Quality Assurance function in a timely manner.
Quality Audit
Establish, revise, and retire the region's quality audit charter, manuals, and related documents.
Conduct audits to ensure the effective management of quality risks and compliance with the Basic Quality Policy and the Quality Management Regulations. Audit scope includes the handling of quality information, management of the product development process, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, operation of the quality management rules, internal control activities within quality assurance, and the reporting and management of quality risks. Provide corrective recommendations and advisory guidance based on audit findings.
Audit all internal departments and external contractors. Specific targets include manufacturing sites (including third‑party manufacturers, 3PM), VoC (Voice of the Customer) management teams, business units, and R&D departments.
After confirmation by the Global Quality Management & Audit Department at HQ, report audit results to the Global Quality Management Committee.