Quality Assurance Manager Perfume Packaging

About the role Lead quality assurance for perfume packaging you will own QA strategy for new product development supplier qualification tooling/mold validation and serial production release for pumps collars caps bottles cans and finished fragrance items. You will coordinate crossfunctional teams (Product Development QCSupply Chain Procurement Production Sales external labs/inspection bodies) to ensure products meet regulatory cosmetic aesthetic and functional requirements on time and within budget.Key responsibilitiesQA leadership for NPDDefine and enforce QA gates acceptance criteria and test plans for NPD milestones (concept prototype preproduction production release).Collaborate with Product Development (PDD) to translate technical drawings decoration specs and functional requirements into measurable quality criteria and PSDs.Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) inputs and quality risk assessments early in projects.Supplier qualification and managementLead supplier audits capability assessments and onboarding for packaging and fragrance suppliers.Define supplier KPIs (quality OTIF NCR rate) monitor performance and lead improvement plans.Manage supplier tooling/mold approval processes periodic tooling health checks and maintenance escalation.First article and sample controlOversee first-sample inspections coordinate mock-ups and prototype test plans approve trial/mold samples and first production runs.Maintain structured sample library and version control for prototypes preproduction and approved parts.Incoming in-process and outgoing qualitySpecify and maintain sampling plans inspection methods and defect classification for incoming components and finished goods.Authorize production release based on objective evidence (test results inspection reports).Coordinate SGS / thirdparty inspections and validate external lab reports.Non-conformity and corrective actionLead NCR investigations root-cause analysis (5Why Ishikawa) corrective & preventive actions (CAPA) and supplier CAPA follow-up.Ensure timely communication of quality status to customers and internal stakeholders.Documentation & systemsCreate and maintain Product Specification Documents (PSDs) test reports validation records inspection procedures and quality checklists in ERP/QMS.Ensure traceability of batches tooling numbers and sample approvals.Maintain QC records and support internal/external audits (ISO Ecovadis cosmetic regulatory audits).Team leadership & trainingManage and mentor QC/QA staff delegate inspection assignments and develop technical competence across the team.Deliver technical training to Sales Production and customers on handling assembly and inspection of perfume packaging components.Continuous improvement & complianceLead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects scrap and returns; run quality improvement projects using data-driven methods.Keep up-to-date with cosmetic & packaging regulatory requirements and industry best practices (materials safety migration packaging closures coating/decoration standards).Qualifications & experience6 years experience in QA/QC with at least 3 years focused on NPD in perfume/cosmetics packaging or closely related decorative packaging sector. Experience in fragrance component QA (pumps closures aerosols decorative glass/metal) mandatory.Bachelors degree in Quality Management Industrial Engineering Chemistry Packaging Technology or related discipline.Proven experience with tooling/mold approval first-article inspection processes decoration/printing quality requirements and supplier quality management.Hands‑on experience with thirdparty inspection firms (e.g. SGS) laboratory testing coordination and acceptance of test certificates.Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001; familiarity with cosmetic sector standards and regulatory needs (IFRA REACH basics migration testing) preferred.ERP and QMS experience; advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and quality reporting tools.Skills & competenciesStrong project management skills: able to lead multiple NPD projects and hit time‑to‑market milestones.Excellent technical judgment and attention to detail for aesthetic and functional requirements.Analytical: experience with root‑cause analysis statistical process control (SPC) and quality metrics.Clear communicator with ability to interact at supplier customer and senior management levels.Leadership: experience hiring coaching and developing QA/QC teams.Customer‑focused pragmatic problem solver with ability to travel to supplier sites as required.Reporting & scopeReports to: Head of OperationsDirect reports: QC InspectorsRegular interaction with: Product Development Procurement Production Sales External Labs Thirdparty Inspectors Key Suppliers CustomersKPIs (examples)First-pass yield and production release success rate for NPD launchesNCR rate (ppm) from suppliers and productionOn‑time product release for NPD projectsSupplier quality performance (defects per million corrective action closure time)Audi