Global Quality Expertise Head

Job Title: Global Quality Expertise Head

Function: Corporate Quality Expertise

Location: Mumbai, India
Reporting line: Role will report to the Chief Quality Officer

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Quality Expertise Head to lead and drive the quality expertise, govern and transform strategy with focus on fundamental for Unilever. This role is pivotal in ensuring that all products meet the highest quality standards, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction while fostering innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership:

Develop and implement the overall quality policy, governance, vision, strategy, and roadmap for Unilever. Align quality objectives with business goals to drive growth, operational excellence, and consumer as well as customer trust.

2. Quality Assurance, Control, and Transformation:

Lead the transformation of Unilever’s quality systems, embedding modern tools, processes, and frameworks to ensure a forward-thinking approach to quality management.

Oversee the design and execution of quality assurance and control systems to deliver consistent, world-class product quality. Drive initiatives to modernize and digitize quality management processes across Unilever.

3. Consumer Safety:

Develop and lead partnership with SERS, Legal team on consumer safety program. Lead the incident management team, evolve procedures with changing external perspective, internal organization and always be the beacon to protect consumers and Unilever’s brand reputation.

4. Audit Compliance & Risk Management:

Develop and execute Audit program for Unilever. Ensure compliance with all local and international regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, ISO, FSSC). Lead internal and external quality audits, ensuring all departments meet compliance requirements and corrective actions are effectively implemented. Conduct risk assessments and proactively manage product quality-related risks across the supply chain.

5. Partnership Management:

Build and maintain strong partnerships with suppliers, collaborative manufacturers ensuring they meet quality standards and deliver consistent excellence. Establish clear quality expectations with suppliers, collaborative manufacturers and conduct regular performance evaluations to identify and resolve gaps. Collaborate with partner function like procurement to develop program for building partners capabilities and governance. Collaborate with partners to drive innovation and improve the quality and reliability of raw materials and components.

6. Process Improvement:

Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize production processes, reduce waste, and enhance quality outcomes at Unilever. Collaborate with R&D, operations, and supply chain teams to implement best practices and innovative quality solutions.

7. Capability Building & Team Leadership:

Lead, mentor, and build a high-performing quality team across multiple locations. Develop and implement training programs to build quality capabilities across Unilever, ensuring teams are equipped with knowledge and technology. Promote a culture of quality excellence, high performance, accountability, and proactive problem-solving.

8. Stakeholder Collaboration:

Act as the primary point of contact for quality matters with key stakeholders, including senior leadership, partners, and regulatory bodies. Partner with cross-functional teams to align quality initiatives with business objectives. Represent Unilever externally as appropriate aligned to strategy and partnership agreements brining alive best interest of Unilever.

9. Consumer-Centric Approach:

Drive consumer satisfaction by addressing quality issues and ensuring products consistently meet or exceed consumer expectations. Analyze feedback and market trends to identify and address quality improvement opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Quality Management, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field.

• 15+ years of progressive experience in quality management roles, R&D and Supply chain with at least 5 years in a leadership position within the FMCG industry.

• Proven experience in driving quality transformation projects and implementing modern quality systems.

• Comprehensive knowledge of FMCG production processes, quality systems, and regulatory standards.

• Experience in managing partnerships and fostering collaborative relationships.

• Expertise in quality core fundamental on product and consumer safety including hygiene, contamination, GMP and many more.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive data-based decision-making.

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Key Competencies:

Visionary leadership with a focus on quality and transformation.

Results-oriented and adept at managing complex challenges.

Expertise in building and leading cross-functional teams.

Strong understanding of FMCG market trends and consumer needs.

Collaborative mindset with a focus on partnership building and capability development.

Why Join Us?

As the Global Quality Expertise Head, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our company by driving quality transformation, building strong supplier partnerships, and ensuring compliance with global standards. This is an opportunity to lead transformative quality initiatives within a dynamic and fast-paced industry.