Head of Quality North America

A family-owned Group serving customers globally, Roquette is a leader in speciality food ingredients and pharmaceutical excipents.The products and solutions developed by the Group deliver proven technological, nutritional and health benefits precisely tailored to the pharma, nutrition, food and selected industry markets.Roquette's offer is produced from plant-based raw materials such as corn, wheat, potatoes and peas.Since its foundation over 80 years ago, the Group's growth has been based on innovation, a passion for the job and a commitment to achieve.Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients.Want to help us make a difference?Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients.Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, and they enable healthier lifestyles.We are looking for our next Head of Quality – North America (HPS) within our Health & Pharma Solutions team. The Head of Quality will lead and transform Quality across North America by deploying and embedding a harmonized One Roquette QMS, ensuring alignment across sites, consistency of practices, and measurable performance improvement. This is not a compliance role — it is a transformation role to simplify, standardize, and elevate Quality performance across North America, acting as a connector and change leader, driving adoption of global standards and building a high-performing, collaborative Quality network.This position is located in Newark, DE.Compensation:The current salary range for this role is estimated to be $172,938 – $234,110. In addition, this position may also be eligible to earn performance-based incentive compensation. The specific compensation offered to a candidate will be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, qualifications, experience, and location.What You’ll Do:Accountability & Quality OversightOwn product release across all sites within the North America RegionGuarantee product safety and regulatory compliance (Pharma, Food, Feed as applicable)Ensure full deployment and consistent application of the Quality roadmapDrive alignment across all sites and teams to eliminate fragmentationLead a connected, high-performing Regional Quality networkBuild a culture of continuous improvement, simplification, and customer focusQuality Strategy & TransformationLead the North America Quality strategy and roadmapContribute actively to HPS global Quality strategy and standardsDrive transformation of Quality ways of working, embedding Lean principles across the RegionQMS Rollout, Alignment & Network LeadershipDrive deployment and adoption of the global QMS roadmap across all North America sitesEnsure consistency of interpretation and execution of standards, processes, and toolsConnect sites and teams to share best practices and resolve inconsistenciesFoster cross-site collaboration and a One Roquette mindsetChallenge unnecessary site-specific ways of workingOperational Excellence & Continuous ImprovementLead deployment of Lean / Operational Excellence methodologiesAct as a Black Belt-level change agent to simplify processes and reduce wasteImprove cycle times (CAPA, deviations, release, complaints)Roll out tools, training, and coaching to site Quality teamsEmbed continuous improvement into daily operationsOperational Quality LeadershipLead and develop the Regional Operational Quality networkEnsure strong QA and QC performance, including product release and lab efficiencyDrive standardization and best practice sharingCustomer QualityEnsure high-quality, timely response to customer requirements and complaintsImprove end-to-end customer quality journeyCollaborate with Sales and Customer CareAudit, Compliance & Crisis ManagementEnsure audit readiness and inspection performanceLead internal and external auditsAct as Regional Crisis Leader for product-related issuesPeople & Network LeadershipBuild and develop a high-performing Quality leadership teamDevelop Lean and problem-solving capabilities across the networkDrive quality culture, ownership, and accountabilityPromote transparency and benchmarking across sitesExternal & Supplier QualityEnsure appropriate oversight of third-party suppliersRepresent Roquette in industry forums and associations, especially IPECCAPEX & ComplianceEnsure CAPEX projects meet Quality and regulatory requirementsEmbed Quality by design in investmentsWhat You’ll Need:Education:Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline; advanced degree preferredSix Sigma Black Belt certification preferred; Lean / Operational Excellence credentials a plusExperience:Minimum of 10 years' experience in Quality leadership within pharma, pharma supplier regulated industries, or CDMO environmentsProven multi-site / regional leadership experience across geographies and functionsDemonstrated ability to influence and drive change across complex, matrixed organizationsTrack record of driving Quality transformation and building high-performing networksStrong Lean / Operational Excellence expertise with hands-on deployment experienceExperience working cross-functionally with Sales, Customer Care, Operations, and Regulatory teams.Strong leadership, coaching, and organizational development skills.Experience managing third-party/contract manufacturing quality compliance.Familiarity with CAPEX project quality oversight preferred.Supervisory ResponsibilityThis role has 4 direct reports and is responsible for the broader Operational Quality network across North America.Work EnvironmentThis role spends approximately 50% of the time in an office environment and 50% of the time in the plant environment.Physical DemandsWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to speak or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk, climb stairs, use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms; work in hot, cold and loud environments. Employee must be able to wear a respirator.Position Type/Expected Hours of WorkThis is a full-time position. Days and flexible hours of work are required to meet facility demands.Business Travel:Travel will be required when working on projects at other manufacturing plants (currently US, Canada, Brazil).Occasional international travel may be expected.AAP/EEO StatementRoquette is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. “AAP, EEO, Drug-Free Workplace”Other DutiesPlease note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.If you identify yourself in this position, please apply by uploading your resume and let's start the journey together!Roquette is proud to be a global company where you can find personal and professional growth through multiple diverse experiences.  Roquette strives to create a dynamic workforce while remaining firmly committed to equal opportunity by complying with EEO laws.As we continue to grow, Roquette understands that to be successful we must always be inclusive in our approach.To find out more about our products, values and sustainable development ambitions visit us at www.roquette.com and at www.sustainability.roquette.com