Manager Quality Assurance – EMEA & North America

The Manager, Quality EP, RDP, EVA – EMEA & North America is responsible for leading quality management activities across the Emulsion Polymers (EP), Redispersible Polymer Powders (RDP), and EVA product portfolios within the EMEA and North America regions. This role provides strategic and technical leadership to regional site quality teams, driving continuous improvement initiatives, reducing quality-related risks and costs, and ensuring the highest standards of customer satisfaction.

As a key member of the global quality organization, the position partners closely with Manufacturing, Technology & Innovation (T&I), Supply Chain, Procurement, Product Stewardship, Commercial teams, and external stakeholders to strengthen quality systems, resolve complex quality issues, and support business growth. The role serves as a critical link between manufacturing operations and customer requirements while promoting a culture of quality, safety, and operational excellence.

• Implement the quality roadmap for EP, RDP, and EVA businesses across EMEA and North America, driving initiatives that reduce liability, business risk, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) through preventive quality tools, root cause analyses, and continuous improvement projects.
• Oversee and coordinate the investigation of customer complaints, including root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, nonconformance reports, and quality notifications within SAP. Lead or support 8D investigations for high-severity and customer-critical issues.
• Monitor, analyze, and report quality performance metrics through regular reporting and data analysis to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Partner with stakeholders across Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, Sales, Customer Service, and Business teams to address quality issues, understand customer requirements, and support business objectives. This includes resolving raw material quality concerns, supporting supplier qualification activities, and ensuring effective quality-related decision-making
• Support cross-functional projects focused on continuous quality improvement, manufacturing performance, first-pass yield enhancement, quality cost optimization, and new business initiatives
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Quality Management Systems (QMS), ensuring alignment with company standards and industry requirements. Plan, support, and perform internal and third-party audits as needed.

Education

• Strong Technical background (preferably university degree) is required; PhD being a plus. A longer technical career starting from apprenticeship could also prepare for this role. 
• Microbiology knowledge or education is considered a plus.  
• Business, economic, or regulatory training is advantageous.

Experience

• Experience in quality management, manufacturing, chemical processing, polymers, emulsions, coatings, adhesives, or related industries.
• Strong technical background with demonstrated understanding of polymer chemistry, chemical processes, and manufacturing operations.
• Experience leading quality investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prior people leadership, project leadership, or matrix leadership experience preferred.
• International or multi-regional work experience is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of quality management principles, root cause analysis methodologies, CAPA processes, and auditing practices.
• Customer-focused mindset with a strong commitment to quality, safety, and operational excellence.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical topics effectively.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and influence decisions in a matrixed, global organization.
• Experience working with diverse cultures and global teams.
• Working knowledge of quality systems and SAP quality processes preferred.
• Additional language proficiency beyond English is a plus.

This role has significant impact on business performance through reduction of quality-related costs, improvement of customer satisfaction, mitigation of operational risk, and enhancement of quality management systems across the regional manufacturing network.