VP Quality, Global Life Sciences

ECOLAB; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 249,500 - 374,300; Full time

Job summary

ECOLAB is seeking a VP Quality, Global Life Sciences to lead enterprise quality vision, strategy and operating model across Life Sciences globally, including Bioprocessing, Purification Technologies, and Pharma and Personal Care. You will oversee global compliance, QMS performance, and site quality operations with plant quality managers, site quality teams, and QC labs.

You will partner with Regulatory/Compliance, RDE, Supply Chain and Operations to drive enterprise risk, quality culture, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field (engineering, biology, microbiology, or chemistry).
• 15+ years in pharma/biotech/medical device or Life Sciences quality/compliance leadership roles.
• 10+ years of people leadership, multi-site quality orgs in regulated manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the quality vision and strategy for Life Sciences divisions.
• Lead QMS improvements to meet regulatory requirements.
• Provide executive leadership for plant quality managers, site quality teams, and labs across the network.
• Ensure Quality System compliance with regulatory requirements and global quality policies.
• Drive CAPA, audits, supplier controls, and design controls.
• Build capabilities to support new business lines and product changes.
• Own governance for network quality performance and inspection readiness across manufacturing.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Relationship management

Change management

Quality culture

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/biology/chemistry

Master's degree (technical field or MBA)

LSS Black Belt certification

Job description

As VP Quality, Global Life Sciences you will be accountable for the enterprise quality vision, strategy, and operating model across Ecolab's Life Sciences business globally, including Bioprocessing, Purification Technologies, and Pharma and Personal Care (PPC). You will have end-to-end responsibility for the global compliance and quality management system as well as the performance of site quality operations across the manufacturing network, with direct leadership of plant quality managers, site quality organizations, and quality control laboratories. Responsible for building a world‑class quality organization that ensures product quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, inspection readiness, and reliable supply, you will drive and enable growth, innovation, and operational excellence in highly regulated markets.

The VP Global Quality, Life Sciences reports to the VP Global Quality for Ecolab and serves as a key member of Ecolab's Quality leadership team as well as strategic partner to Regulatory/Compliance, RDE, Supply Chain, Operations, and Business leadership to drive enterprise risk management, strengthen quality culture, and deliver sustained competitive advantage.

What You Will Do:

• Develop and execute the quality vision and strategy for the Life Sciences divisions
• Partner with business and technical teams to build a culture that embeds Quality as a foundation of the business
• Lead QMS process improvements to meet customer quality expectations and global regulatory requirements
• Provide leadership for design controls, post‑market vigilance, supplier controls, and associated quality processes, including CAPA, complaints, and internal and external audits
• Provide executive leadership for plant quality managers, site quality teams, and quality control laboratories across the Life Sciences manufacturing network, ensuring strong site quality performance, laboratory excellence, disciplined release governance, and alignment to global quality standards
• Benchmark industry and Ecolab best practices and optimize the quality organization, including organizational design, QMS, and talent development
• Ensure the Quality System complies with all applicable quality and regulatory requirements in the markets where products are manufactured, marketed, and distributed, and aligns with Ecolab quality policies
• Proactively address customer feedback and ensure CAPA and other resolutions meet customer and regulatory expectations while driving continuous improvement
• Ensure new and modified products are supported by current design and quality plans that meet customer, regulatory, and supply chain requirements
• Build capabilities to support new business lines and processing or material changes that improve product cost, quality, and performance
• Build customer and regulator audit capabilities that are well understood, streamlined, and a source of competitive advantage
• Own governance and capability building for network quality performance, plant quality organizations, and quality laboratory operations, including standardization, talent development, quality risk escalation, and sustained inspection readiness across the manufacturing network

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field such as engineering, biology, microbiology, or chemistry
• 15+ years of progressive experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or broader Life Sciences industry in quality or compliance leadership roles with increasing technical, operational, and organizational scope
• 10+ years of people leadership experience, including leading leaders and managing multi‑site quality organizations in a regulated manufacturing environment
• Experience leading organizations through global regulatory inspections and compliance expectations, with demonstrated accountability for inspection readiness, remediation, and sustained regulatory performance
• Experience with batch disposition, release governance, quality risk escalation, and quality decision‑making within regulated manufacturing operations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success driving excellence in quality and change management in environments critical to customer, regulatory, and business performance
• Proven success leading plant quality managers, site quality teams, and quality laboratories across a multi‑site manufacturing network, with responsibility for capability building, standardization, and quality culture
• Experience working directly with FDA, Notified Bodies, and other global regulators
• Experience leading a global organization
• Strategic mindset with strong customer and patient‑focused risk assessment and judgment
• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to build networks, support teams, and influence across the organization
• A track record of driving continuous improvement and investment in high‑growth businesses
• Master's degree (technical field or MBA)
• LSS Black Belt certification
• Responsibility for a Quality System in a business >$200 million, preferably >$1 billion
• A history of leading teams through successful integrations

Annual or Hourly Compensation Range

The base salary range for this position is $249,500.00 - $374,300.00. This position is eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentives based on performance, per plan terms. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.

Benefits

Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market‑competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits.

Potential Customer Requirements Notice

• Undergo additional background screens and/or drug/alcohol testing for customer credentialing.
• Be fully vaccinated for COVID‑19, including a booster if eligible, unless a religious or medical accommodation is requested by the applicant and approved by Ecolab.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Ecolab will provide reasonable accommodation (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with our application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require accommodation assistance in this application process, please visit the Recruiting Support link in the footer of each page of our career website.

Our Commitment to a Culture of Inclusion & Belonging

At Ecolab, we believe the best teams are inclusive. We are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.

In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through affirmative action (AA).

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.