North America Quality Transformation Lead

Roquette; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 173,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients, seeks Head of Quality – North America to lead and transform quality across NA by deploying a harmonized QMS, aligning sites, and driving performance.

Based in Newark, DE, the role builds a high-performing regional quality network, champions Lean and CAPA, and partners with Sales, Regulatory, and operations to ensure product safety, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years' experience in Quality leadership within pharma, pharma supplier regulated industries, or CDMO environments.
• Proven multi-site / regional leadership experience across geographies and functions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive change across complex, matrixed organizations.
• Track record of driving Quality transformation and building high-performing networks.
• Strong Lean / Operational Excellence expertise with hands-on deployment experience.

Responsibilities

• Own product release across all sites within the North America Region
• Guarantee product safety and regulatory compliance (Pharma, Food, Feed as applicable)
• Ensure full deployment and consistent application of the Quality roadmap
• Drive alignment across all sites and teams to eliminate fragmentation
• Lead a connected, high-performing Regional Quality network
• Build a culture of continuous improvement, simplification, and customer focus
• Lead the North America Quality strategy and roadmap
• Contribute actively to HPS global Quality strategy and standards
• Drive transformation of Quality ways of working, embedding Lean principles across the Region
• Drive deployment and adoption of the global QMS roadmap across all North America sites
• Ensure consistency of interpretation and execution of standards, processes, and tools
• Connect sites and teams to share best practices and resolve inconsistencies
• Foster cross-site collaboration and a One Roquette mindset
• Challenge unnecessary site-specific ways of working
• Lead deployment of Lean / Operational Excellence methodologies
• Act as a Black Belt-level change agent to simplify processes and reduce waste
• Improve cycle times (CAPA, deviations, release, complaints)
• Roll out tools, training, and coaching to site Quality teams
• Embed continuous improvement into daily operations
• Lead and develop the Regional Operational Quality network
• Ensure strong QA and QC performance, including product release and lab efficiency
• Drive standardization and best practice sharing
• Ensure high-quality, timely response to customer requirements and complaints
• Improve end-to-end customer quality journey
• Collaborate with Sales and Customer Care
• Ensure audit readiness and inspection performance
• Lead internal and external audits
• Act as Regional Crisis Leader for product-related issues
• Build and develop a high-performing Quality leadership team
• Develop Lean and problem-solving capabilities across the network
• Drive quality culture, ownership, and accountability
• Promote transparency and benchmarking across sites
• Ensure appropriate oversight of third-party suppliers
• Represent Roquette in industry forums and associations, especially IPEC
• Ensure CAPEX projects meet Quality and regulatory requirements
• Embed Quality by design in investments

Skills

Leadership

Quality leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Change management

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in science/engineering

Six Sigma Black Belt certification

Job description

Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients, seeks Head of Quality – North America to lead and transform quality across NA by deploying a harmonized QMS, aligning sites, and driving performance.

Based in Newark, DE, the role builds a high-performing regional quality network, champions Lean and CAPA, and partners with Sales, Regulatory, and operations to ensure product safety, compliance, and customer satisfaction.