External Quality and Manufacturing Lead

• Associate Manager - Quality Engineering
• Rosslyn, South Africa

Are you passionate about driving quality excellence and making a real impact across manufacturing and supplier networks? We’re looking for an experienced Associate Manager: Quality Engineering to join our team and help shape world-class product quality from development through to delivery.

About the Role:

In this role, you will play a critical part in ensuring quality is embedded into products and manufacturing processes at every stage. You’ll work closely with external manufacturers (EMs), suppliers, and cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement, manage quality risks, and support new product development initiatives across the region.

Key Responsibilities:

Project & Product Quality Leadership

• Represent Quality Engineering in technical project teams and product development reviews
• Ensure quality is built into new products, processes, and materials from early-stage development
• Lead or support activities such as FMEA, process validation, and quality control planning
• Define product specifications, defect classifications, and acceptance criteria

Supplier & Manufacturing Quality

• Act as the quality lead for external manufacturers and suppliers across the region
• Plan and execute supplier audits (SQA) and oversee audit programs
• Drive resolution and prevention of quality incidents, including on-site support where needed
• Support new supplier qualifications and process validations

Performance & Metrics

• Own regional quality metrics reporting and global KPI tracking
• Prepare and present supplier and manufacturing performance reviews
• Monitor trends and implement improvement initiatives

Team & Capability Development

• Support onboarding and training of new Quality Engineering team members
• Provide coaching and technical guidance across the regional QE team

What You’ll Bring:

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or related technical field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a Quality Engineering or Quality Management role
• Experience working with suppliers and external manufacturers (EMs)
• Strong knowledge of quality systems (ISO standards, auditing, process capability, etc.)
• Auditing certification and/or hands-on audit experience

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Solid understanding of statistical quality tools and methodologies
• Leadership capability with experience influencing cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• High level of integrity, initiative, and adaptability

Why Join Us?

• Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with global exposure
• Play a key role in shaping quality across a regional supply network
• Collaborate with diverse teams across procurement, supply chain, and product development
• Grow your leadership capabilities and technical expertise

About us:

SC Johnson is a fifth-generation family company built on a spirit of adventure and winning the right way. We have been leading with purpose for over 130 years, building top brands such as Raid®, Glade®, Kiwi®, OFF!®, Windex®, Ziploc® and more, in virtually every country. Through these household names, we are making a positive difference to the world around us. But we only succeed with the combined vitality and strength of our 13,000 people who we truly value and support in their pursuit of individual and shared goals.

This position is not available for relocation assistance and candidate must be eligible to work in the country of application