Manager - Quality Assurance-Chemaid Lab/QC Salaried Indirect

KDC is a network of best-in-class custom formulators and manufacturers of color cosmetics, skincare, haircare, bath & body, fragrance, deodorant, home, health, industrial, and auto care products. KDC delivers high-touch innovation, operational excellence, and speed to market to well-known and emerging beauty, personal, and specialty companies from coast to coast. KDC has its head office in Longueuil, Québec. In addition, KDC has 10 operating facilities located throughout North America. Altogether, the company employs nearly 4,800 talented and dedicated employees in North America.

Position: Quality Assurance Manager
Department: Quality Assurance
Reporting Structure: Reports to: Quality Director
Reporting to this Position: Quality Assurance Supervisor, Quality Incoming inspection leader, Quality Documentation Specialist

BASIC FUNCTION

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for managing and overseeing the Quality Assurance system, including finished goods inspection, incoming inspection, calibration, document control, and implementation of quality requirements.

The QA Manager ensures that quality systems are effectively implemented and maintained in compliance with client requirements, internal procedures, MoCRA, and ISO 22716 Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practices.

This role serves as the quality system owner at the operational level and is responsible for ensuring quality risks are identified, controlled, and escalated appropriately to the Quality Director.

The QA Manager provides leadership to Quality Supervisors and ensures consistent execution of quality processes throughout the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Quality System Oversight

• Manage and oversee the Quality Assurance system to ensure effectiveness and compliance.
• Ensure implementation and maintenance of quality procedures and standards.
• Ensure compliance with MoCRA, ISO 22716, client requirements, and internal procedures.
• Ensure quality controls are properly implemented and maintained.

Client Quality Requirement Review and Acceptance

• Receive, review, and evaluate client quality documents, including:
• F&A specifications
• Client SOPs
• Quality manuals
• Product specifications
• Ensure client requirements are clearly understood and properly implemented.
• Communicate with clients regarding quality requirements and clarifications when necessary.
• Ensure translation of client requirements into internal quality controls.

Inspection and Operational Quality Oversight

• Oversee finished goods inspection activities.
• Oversee incoming inspection activities.
• Ensure inspection processes are properly implemented and effective.
• Ensure visual standards and defect classification systems are properly maintained and implemented.

Document Control and Calibration Oversight

• Oversee quality document control processes.
• Ensure proper control, approval, and retention of quality documentation.
• Oversee calibration program to ensure measurement accuracy and compliance.

Quality Risk Management and Escalation

• Identify and evaluate quality risks.
• Ensure quality risks are properly documented and controlled.
• Escalate significant quality risks to the Quality Director.
• Ensure appropriate containment and corrective actions are implemented when required.

Personnel Leadership and Oversight

• Provide leadership, direction, and support to Quality Supervisors.
• Ensure Supervisors effectively perform their responsibilities.
• Ensure Supervisors maintain control of visual standards, defect catalog, training, and quality processes.
• Monitor performance of Quality Supervisors and escalate personnel performance concerns to the Quality Director when appropriate.
• Support development and continuous improvement of Quality personnel.

Quality System Authority
The QA Manager has authority over the Quality Assurance system and is responsible for ensuring its effectiveness, implementation, and compliance with regulatory and client requirements.
The QA Manager has the authority to place product on hold, prevent release, and implement quality controls when quality requirements are not met or when product quality cannot be assured.

Training Oversight

• Ensure quality training programs are established and implemented.
• Ensure Quality Supervisors properly train inspection personnel.
• Ensure training programs support compliance with regulatory and client requirements.

Audit Support and Readiness

• Participate in internal and external audits.
• Ensure the Quality organization maintains audit readiness.
• Support regulatory inspections and client audits as required.

Incoming Material Quality Oversight

• Ensure incoming inspection activities are properly implemented, controlled, and effective.
• Ensure incoming components, and packaging meet approved specifications before release.
• Ensure incoming inspection personnel follow approved sampling plans, inspection criteria, and acceptance standards.
• Ensure incoming inspection results are properly documented and traceable.
• Ensure timely escalation of incoming material quality issues.
• Ensure proper segregation and control of nonconforming incoming materials.
• Ensure supplier-related quality issues are escalated and investigated appropriately.
• Ensure incoming inspection processes align with client requirements, internal procedures, and regulatory expectations.
• Ensure quality risks associated with incoming materials are properly assessed and controlled.
• Provide leadership and oversight to the Incoming Inspection Leader.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong leadership and management capability
• Strong knowledge of quality systems and regulatory requirements
• Ability to evaluate quality risks and make sound decisions
• Strong escalation and problem-solving capability
• Effective communication with all organizational levels
• Strong organizational and documentation control skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and responsibilities
• Strong accountability and ownership mindset

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this role:

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments
• Frequent walking through production and warehouse areas
• Ability to visually inspect products and production activities when required
• Occasional lifting of materials or samples up to 25 pounds
• Occasional bending, reaching, and stooping
• Ability to use computer systems for extended periods
• Ability to move between office and production areas as required

WORK ENVIROMENT
This position operates in both office and manufacturing environments. The employee may be exposed to production equipment, moving mechanical parts, and warehouse conditions. Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Required:
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field.

Strongly Preferred:
Master’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical field.

Preferred:

• 5+ years of experience in Quality Assurance within a manufacturing environment
• Leadership or supervisory experience
• Experience in cosmetics, personal care, or regulated manufacturing environment
• Experience with MoCRA, ISO 22716, GMP, or similar quality systems

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The QA Manager is expected to exercise leadership, ownership, and sound judgment in performing quality-related responsibilities and ensuring compliance with company procedures, client requirements, MoCRA, and ISO 22716.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned by the Quality Director as required.

KDC-ONE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. I understand that employment with KDC-ONE Company is at-will, meaning that I or KDC-ONE Company may terminate my employment at any time, or for any reason consistent with applicable state or federal law. I understand that KDC-One requires the successful completion of a drug and/or alcohol test as a condition of employment.