Quality Development Manager

UPM; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UPM is seeking a Quality & Continuous Improvement professional to lead operations quality control, drive QMS improvements, and collaborate with global lab networks. The role covers setting annual quality KPIs, supporting product development, and addressing supplier and cross-functional quality issues.

The candidate will coordinate with Market, Supply Chain, and regional teams to mitigate product risks, manage claims, and ensure compliance with quality standards and audits.

Qualifications

• Technical education at degree level or related discipline.
• Background in quality, CI, or technical customer support.
• Knowledge of quality, food safety, and CI management systems and tools.
• Advantage if coating/product development in label industry.
• Knowledge of label converting and end-uses; Lean Sigma cert an edge.
• Able to explain complex topics clearly to others.
• Fluent in English and Bahasa (written and spoken).
• Minimum 5 years in Quality dept; travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Be accountable for Operations quality control and QA, lead QMS improvements.
• Address SEA terminals quality matters; drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Global Lab Network; manage testing SOPs and method validation.
• Collate and report monthly Quality KPIs and scorecards to local management.
• Support claims compensation; escalate high-risk claims with regional teams.
• Coordinate with Market, Supply Chain, Sales, and Product Development on quality risks and scope.
• Adopt CI tools to drive improvements; ensure ISO9001 compliance and audits.

Skills

Quality management

Continuous improvement

Technical communication

Leadership

English & Bahasa

Education

Degree in engineering/quality

Job description

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil‑based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values – trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Together we can renew the everyday, for a future beyond fossils!

What You Will Do

• Be accountable in Operations quality control and assurance and collaborate with Operation team in Total Quality (TQ) improvement. Establish and regularly review Quality Plan in Raflow (QMS), monitor and analyse process and quality variation analysis (PQA – Proactive Quality Analysis) to reduce variations and quality continuous improvement and overall quality management (hold process, risk escalation)
• Be responsible for SEA terminals jumbo quality related matters and continuous improvement in quality
• Collaborate with Global Lab Network and responsible for Factory lab measurement system management, Global testing SOP, attending Global Lab Network monthly meeting and validate new/changed test method to fulfil requirements in Global gage R&R Global Rules
• Collate, analyse, summarize and report monthly Quality KPIS and Scorecard to local management. Be responsible for Factory Yearly Quality KPIs target setting, execution of actions and evaluate performance
• Be accountable for claims compensation, and responsible for collaborating with and escalating high‑risk claims and product‑related risks to Market, Local Management, and Regional Sales teams
• Collaborate and support with many key stakeholders, i.e. Market, Supply Chain, Regional and SEA Sales, Product Development Team, and operations in key product risk, new product development, testing, customer visits, product transfer project, raw materials management to ensure products are fulfilling market & customer needs, reduce the risk in product recall, ensure no short supply and provide alternative solutions
• Adopt Continuous Improvement tools to drive quality improvement. Drive the quality improvement related to customer claim. Work closely with Claim handler on customer CAPA and meetings (when needed). Ensure compliance in ISO9001 system and be in charge of internal/external audit
• Liaise with PD&I, sourcing and raw material supplier related to raw material feedback/claim and drive for improvement. Be part of key stakeholder in local management & RAFMOVE 2&3. Control fixed cost management

Who You Are

• You have technical education to degree level or relevant discipline
• You have background in quality, continuous improvement, or technical customer support
• You have knowledge and experience on quality, food safety and continuous improvement management systems, standards and tools. You have advantage if having experience in coating or product development in pressure sensitive labelling industry
• You have knowledge of the label converting, end‑uses, and the products manufactured. You have advantage if obtaining a Lean Sigma certificate
• You understand complex topics and interdependencies and are able to communicate to others in an easy‑to‑understand manner
• You have leadership, coaching and team management skills, along with good cooperation and networking skills. You have excellent communication, interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills
• You are fluent in written and spoken English, Bahasa
• You have minimum 5 years of working experience in the Quality department in the similar role. You are able to travel for off‑site meeting when needed

This Is What We Offer To You

• A meaningful job: We have an inspiring purpose “We renew the everyday for a future beyond fossils”. Our work is impactful and transformative.
• A caring community: Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well‑being of our colleagues. We support the work‑life balance of all our employees.
• Development opportunities: We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi‑business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth.
• Responsible employer: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science‑based sustainability targets in all areas, from climate change mitigation to enhancing biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves.