Quality Assurance Associate Director

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the organization's Quality Assurance strategy aligned with long-term business goals.
• Establish and maintain unified quality standards across raw materials, manufacturing processes, packaging, and supply chain operations.
• Drive a culture of "Quality First" across all operational sites and cross-functional teams.
• Serve as a strategic partner to Manufacturing, R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Regulatory teams.
• Lead quality transformation and continuous improvement initiatives across multiple production facilities.
• Oversee the implementation, audit readiness, and continuous improvement of the QMS across all business units.
• Ensure compliance with international food safety and quality standards (including ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP, BRCGS) as well as domestic and export market regulations.
• Standardize and update all Quality Manuals, SOPs, and technical work instructions.
• Monitor operational quality health through integrated scorecards and executive dashboards.
• Oversee change management processes regarding formulations, processing technology, and packaging redesigns.
• Maintain strict quality controls across high-volume production facilities.
• Implement robust monitoring systems to ensure consistency in product quality and compliance with target specifications.
• Spearhead initiatives to minimize non-conformance, rework, scrap, and operational quality losses.
• Drive risk-based approaches to identify, contain, and resolve manufacturing quality hazards.
• Lead the overarching Food Safety Management Program across multi-site manufacturing networks.
• Ensure strict adherence to national food hygiene laws and global food safety protocols.
• Oversee HACCP validation, verification, Food Defense, and Food Fraud Prevention programs.
• Serve as the primary representative for regulatory agency inspections and third-party certification audits.
• Formulate and govern the strategic supplier quality management framework.
• Qualify, audit, and evaluate performance for raw material, ingredient, and packaging suppliers.
• Drive continuous improvement programs with key vendor partners in collaboration with Procurement.
• Track supplier performance metrics (e.g., Incoming Quality Acceptance Rates, CAPA Closure Speed, Audit Compliance Scores).
• Direct the consumer feedback and product incident management process.
• Lead cross-functional investigations into market non-conformances using Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Execute robust CAPA measures to systematically prevent defect recurrence.
• Translate market feedback and quality analytics into tangible product and operational upgrades.
• Maintain and test enterprise-level Product Recall, Incident Management, and Crisis Response procedures.
• Lead root-cause analyses and risk containment actions during major quality incidents.
• Conduct periodic mock recalls and participate in risk committee evaluations to safeguard brand equity.
• Drive Quality Excellence methodologies across all operational footprints.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and Process Optimization projects to lower the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
• Utilize structured tools such as FMEA, SPC, RCA, 5-Why, and Fishbone Analysis to enhance product yields and compliance.
• Mentor, train, and build a high-performing Quality Assurance team across multiple sites.
• Develop talent pipelines and succession plans for critical quality leadership roles.
• Foster a collaborative environment focused on accountability, operational rigor, and continuous learning.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Quality Management, or related technical disciplines. Master’s Degree or MBA is a plus.
• Experience: Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, or Quality Leadership within the FMCG / Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sector. Minimum 5+ years in a senior managerial capacity leading quality teams and QMS systems. Proven experience in multi-site manufacturing operations within leading corporate environment(s).
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, or Quality Leadership within the FMCG / Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sector.
• Minimum 5+ years in a senior managerial capacity leading quality teams and QMS systems.
• Proven experience in multi-site manufacturing operations within leading corporate environment(s).
• Technical Expertise: Strong mastery of QMS frameworks, HACCP, GMP, FSSC 22000, BRCGS, and consumer regulatory compliance. Deep experience in Quality Risk Management, CAPA implementation, RCA, and crisis preparedness. Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma tools, SPC, and quality metrics analytics.
• Strong mastery of QMS frameworks, HACCP, GMP, FSSC 22000, BRCGS, and consumer regulatory compliance.
• Deep experience in Quality Risk Management, CAPA implementation, RCA, and crisis preparedness.
• Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma tools, SPC, and quality metrics analytics.
• Competencies: Strong strategic mindset, business acumen, stakeholder management, and change leadership abilities.
• Preferred Certifications: Lead Auditor (ISO/FSSC/BRCGS), Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), or Advanced HACCP Certification.

Client Overview

Our client is a leading, multi-billion-dollar Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) conglomerate in Vietnam with a dominant market presence and an expansive multi-site manufacturing footprint across the nation. Renowned for its iconic household brands, robust distribution networks, and relentless drive for innovation, the organization is committed to raising industry benchmarks and improving the daily lives of millions of consumers through world-class quality and food safety standards.