Global Quality Assurance Director

Quaker Houghton; Conshohocken (Montgomery County); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Savings Plan

DEI programs

Global exposure

Job summary

Quaker Houghton seeks a Global Quality Assurance Director to lead the development and continuous improvement of quality programs that align with strategic growth. You will guide regional teams across the Americas, APAC and EMEA, driving QMS governance, compliance, and improvement initiatives in a complex manufacturing environment.

You will report to the Global EHS & QA Sr Director and partner with Supply Chain, Operations, R&D and Commercial teams to deliver sustainable quality results, travel

Qualifications

• Experience leading Quality Management Systems in a large multi-site manufacturing setting.
• Strong exposure to process- and risk-based QMS frameworks globally with cross-regional reporting.
• Knowledge of ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and related standards; experience with IATF 16949 is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead global quality programs and 3-year strategic roadmap across Americas, APAC and EMEA.
• Develop and mentor regional Quality leaders; build succession plans and high-performance culture.
• Oversee QMS certifications and audits to ensure regulatory and customer compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce cost of poor quality and optimize processes.
• Act as global owner of QMS; sponsor training and capability development.

Skills

Quality Management Systems

ISO 9001

Lead Auditor

Lean Six Sigma

Global team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical/scientific discipline

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 is based in our HQ in Conshohocken, PA, US.

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.
• 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?

• Opportunity to participate in comprehensive benefit options including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Parental Leave, Holiday Pay, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and Savings Plan
• Flexible working arrangements for employees located within reasonable proximity to one of our offices.
• An international, collaborative, and dynamic work environment.
• Dress for your day; how you dress is determined by what your day may bring
• 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!

Quaker Houghton provides equal employment opportunity for all qualified candidates. Quaker Houghton does not discriminate against any candidate for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, veteran’s status, physical/mental disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by U.S federal, state, and/or local employment law. Furthermore, Quaker Houghton is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates with physical and/or mental disabilities.