Global Quality Assurance Director

Quaker Houghton; Uithoorn; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Flexible working arrangements

QH University

Wellbeing initiatives

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Quaker Houghton is seeking a Global Quality Assurance Director to drive the development and continuous improvement of our Quality programs across regions. You will lead a global team, ensure compliance with ISO/IATF standards, and embed a strong quality culture linked to strategic growth.

Based near a major office, you’ll coordinate with regional stakeholders, manage audits, certifications, and KPI-driven improvements while traveling ~25% to enable aligned execution globally.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading Quality Management Systems within a complex global, multi-site manufacturing environment.
• Strong exposure to process- and risk-based QMS frameworks in a global capacity.
• Certified or experienced Lead Auditor for ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
• Solid knowledge of ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and related standards.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma; Black Belt preferred).
• Academic background in a technical or scientific discipline (Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred).
• Fluency in English is required; additional languages are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead a global Quality team across Americas, APAC and EMEA regions, establishing a 3-year strategic roadmap.
• Develop, coach and mentor regional Quality leaders and their teams to build capability.
• Oversee QMS certifications and audits, ensuring ongoing compliance with corporate, customer and regulatory requirements.
• Champion a high-impact continuous improvement program to reduce cost of poor quality.
• Coordinate KPI collection and root cause analysis using the QMS (Sphera).
• Manage relationships with internal stakeholders, external auditors, customers and regulatory authorities.

Skills

Quality Management

Global team leadership

Lead Auditor ISO 9001

IATF 16949

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Sphera

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical or scientific field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Sphera

Job description

At Quaker Houghton, we make the essentials of everyday life possible and enable innovative approaches for a positive future. Our customers include the world's most advanced and specialized automotive, steel, aluminum, aerospace, offshore, can and mining companies. Based in every corner of the world, our people are passionate about what we do.

About the Job

As the Global Quality Assurance Director, you are accountable for the development and continuous improvement of the Quality programs that support the strategic growth objectives of the Quaker Houghton businesses.

Reporting to the Global EHS & QA Sr Director, you play a key leadership role in driving quality excellence, ensuring compliance with corporate policies, industry standards and regulatory requirements, while acting as a change agent to embed a strong quality and continuous improvement culture.

You will work closely with regional and corporate stakeholders across Supply Chain, Operations, R&D and Commercial functions, providing strategic direction, technical expertise and hands‑on leadership to ensure our quality programs deliver sustainable business results.

You will also provide leadership and direction to regional Quality teams across the Americas, APAC and EMEA, driving a globally aligned approach to Quality Management Systems, compliance and continuous improvement.

Join the team and help shape the future of quality at Quaker Houghton.

Location

This position can be based in close proximity to a major Quaker Houghton office location in EMEA or the United States.

A hybrid working arrangement is expected in line with Quaker Houghton's global working policy, including regular in‑office collaboration.

Regular domestic and international travel (approximately 25%) will be required.

What Will You Do?

• Work with senior commercial and functional leaders to understand business strategy and align Quality objectives accordingly.
• Lead a global team of Quality professionals through direct and indirect reporting structures across the Americas, APAC and EMEA regions, establishing and maintaining a 3-year strategic roadmap aligned with business and functional goals.
• Develop, coach and mentor regional Quality leaders and their teams, building organizational capability and succession plans while fostering a high-performance quality culture globally.
• Monitor changes in the demands of the Quality organization, developing staff and optimizing resources to support evolving priorities. Execute annual objectives across the Americas, APAC and EMEA regional teams.
• Act as the global owner and advocate for the Quality Management System (QMS), working with functional leaders to drive performance and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate and maintain QMS certifications and standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, IATF 16949, and related frameworks.
• Oversee internal and external audit programs, ensuring ongoing compliance with corporate, customer and regulatory requirements.
• Champion a high-impact continuous improvement program, working with key stakeholders to improve processes, eliminate waste and reduce the cost of poor quality.
• Manage relationships with internal stakeholders, external auditors, customers and regulatory authorities.
• Leverage management systems (Sphera) to collect and optimize KPIs that support accurate root cause analysis and effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor changes in regulations and industry standards, translating them into practical global and regional actions.
• Act as a subject matter expert and sponsor for QMS training and capability development.

What Are We Looking For?

• Proven experience leading Quality Management Systems within a complex global, multi‑site manufacturing environment.
• Strong exposure to process‑ and risk‑based QMS frameworks in a global capacity, including management of direct and indirect reports across multiple regions.
• Strong background in manufacturing; experience within the chemical or specialty chemical industry is preferred.
• Certified or experienced Lead Auditor for ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
• Solid knowledge of ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and related standards.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma; Black Belt preferred).
• Academic background in a technical or scientific discipline (Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred).
• Fluency in English is required; additional languages are an advantage.

Key Competencies

• Excellent leadership and influencing skills in a matrix organization
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance vision and execution
• Change agent with a passion for continuous improvement
• Effective communicator at all organizational levels
• Safety‑conscious and values‑driven team player

What Do We Offer?

• Health insurance, pension plan, and region‑specific benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements for employees located within reasonable proximity to one of our offices.
• An international, collaborative, and dynamic work environment.
• QH University, offering continuous learning and development opportunities for all career stages.
• Wellbeing initiatives, Colleague Resource Groups, and other DEI‑focused programs.
• Global Giving initiatives offering paid volunteering leave to support causes that matter to you.
• A supportive team culture where collaboration and customer success go hand in hand.

Who Are We?

We are a global leader in industrial process fluids, lubricants, coatings and specialty chemical solutions, present in more than 40 countries worldwide. We continually improve and innovate so the world's industrial manufacturers can stay ahead in a changing world.

Across our global network, engineers, chemists and industry experts partner with customers to help them operate more efficiently, effectively and sustainably, whatever comes next.

Our Values

Live Safe, Exceed Customer Expectations, Drive Results, Embrace Diversity and Do Great Things Together.

Our core values embody who we are as a company, guide our decisions and inspire us. Our commitment to these values, in words and actions, builds a safer, stronger Quaker Houghton. They are the fundamental beliefs that guide our internal conduct and our relationship with the outside world.

Join the team and let's do great things together!

EEO: Quaker Houghton is committed to equal employment opportunities and a workplace free of discrimination. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, gender identity, age, disability, ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. In line with the EU Pay Transparency Directive, the salary range for this role is disclosed before the interview to support transparency and consistency in our hiring process. Candidates will not be asked about their salary history. Our company uses a structured job level and salary band framework to support objective and consistent compensation decisions.