Associate Manager, Quality at SC Johnson

Role Overview

• Lead and develop the site Quality organization at the Rosslyn manufacturing site, setting clear direction, building team capability and accountability, and ensuring effective Quality leadership across manufacturing and laboratory operations. Be accountable for the effectiveness of the site Quality Management System (QMS), including Quality risk management, internal audits, Quality Management Review, incidents, nonconformances and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). Ensure materials, processes and finished products meet approved specifications and applicable regulatory requirements, providing timely Quality decisions, constructive challenge and escalation. Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, PCM, GSARA and Regional Quality to prevent defects, strengthen compliance and sustain product quality performance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, coach and develop the site Quality team, establishing clear responsibilities, performance expectations, succession and capability development plans, and a culture of ownership and accountability. Build effective cross-functional Quality leadership through visible engagement on the manufacturing floor, constructive challenge and timely escalation.
• Own the site internal audit program, inspection readiness and Quality Management Review (QMR); ensure robust follow-up, timely closure of findings and verification of action effectiveness. Support external and regulatory audits as the site Quality lead.
• Lead management of Quality incidents, Quality nonconformances and CAPA, including containment, risk assessment, root-cause analysis, action ownership, effectiveness verification and appropriate escalation to site, regional and global leadership.
• Provide Quality oversight of manufacturing and packing operations, including process control plans, in-process controls, line clearance, traceability, product and material specifications, contamination prevention, hygiene and release/disposition decisions within delegated authority.
• Lead site QC and laboratory performance, ensuring suitable sampling and testing, approved analytical methods, equipment calibration, reliable data and timely investigation of out-of-specification or atypical results; strengthen microbiological risk awareness and controls where applicable.
• Lead Quality assessment of site changes, new products, packaging, materials and manufacturing processes; ensure appropriate risk assessments, qualification/verification, PPV/PLQ and documented readiness before implementation.
• Oversee incoming material quality, supplier-related defects and corrective actions, and collaborate with regional Quality Engineering and Procurement on supplier issues; coordinate site controls for third-party services without owning External Manufacturing quality.
• Lead and continuously improve the site QMS: translate applicable corporate Quality standards into effective local governance, procedures, controls and management routines; assess system performance and ensure compliance with applicable South African regulatory requirements, regulatory requirements in destination markets for exported products, and relevant GMP/ISO expectations.
• Monitor and communicate Quality KPIs, complaints, audit and CAPA performance, recurring losses and emerging risks; recommend risk-based improvements, resources and investments and follow through to sustained results.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Food Science, another relevant scientific discipline or Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in Quality Assurance and/or Quality Control within a manufacturing environment, with practical accountability for QMS, manufacturing quality, investigations and CAPA.
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing teams, including setting priorities and performance expectations, building technical capabilities, managing performance and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Practical experience conducting or leading internal audits, assessing compliance gaps, documenting findings and verifying corrective-action effectiveness.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Quality experience in consumer goods, chemical, household, pharmaceutical, food or other regulated manufacturing industries.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001, applicable GMP principles, Good Documentation Practices, data integrity and risk-based Quality systems.
• Experience or working knowledge of microbiology and microbiological quality controls, including contamination prevention, sampling, testing and interpretation of microbiological results; laboratory or QC oversight is an advantage.
• Experience with process control, validation/qualification, change control, supplier quality and new-product or packaging qualification.
• Internal/lead auditor training; familiarity with electronic QMS, ERP/PLM systems and structured problem-solving methodologies is an advantage.
• Technical and analytical capabilities: sound data interpretation, root-cause analysis, risk assessment, clear technical documentation and timely decision-making.
• Leadership and interpersonal capabilities: ownership, urgency, floor presence, coaching, cross-functional influence, constructive challenge, communication and escalation.