Regional Senior Executive, QA - Packaging & Lifestyle

Position Responsibilities

1. Regional QA Framework & Standardization

Support to develop standardized QA protocols, testing requirements, and inspection criteria for packaging and lifestyle products across countries.

Set Acceptable Quality Limits (AQL) by product category and risk profile; ensure regional adaptation where needed.

Monitor regional regulatory updates (e.g., FDA, EU FCM, ASEAN food contact laws, EN71) and update QA standards accordingly.



2. Supplier Assurance & Qualification

Support supplier audits and assessments for packaging and non-food merchandise suppliers across the region.

Assess supplier capability documentation (e.g., test reports, certifications, CAPA history).

Maintain a regional supplier performance scorecard and drive improvement plans for underperforming vendors.



3. Product Testing & Compliance Oversight

Manage testing plans with accredited labs for food-contact packaging and lifestyle goods (e.g., tumblers, textiles, toys).

Review laboratory reports for physical, chemical, and regulatory compliance; escalate any non-conformances.

Oversee golden sample control and ensure mass production aligns with approved specifications.



4. Cross-Functional & Market Launch Support

Collaborate with Product, Marketing, ESG and Regional Ops teams to provide QA validation during new market launches.

Act as the QA supporting role in go-to-market processes for packaging and lifestyle items, ensuring timely signoffs and documentation readiness.

Support country teams on QA alignment, technical inquiries, and product release decisions.



5. Incident Management & Product Recall

Coordinate regional responses for product complaints or quality incidents, including root cause analysis and supplier CAPA.

Lead risk assessments for defective or non-compliant goods; manage withdrawal or rework actions with market teams.

Prepare incident reports and trend summaries for regional QA and senior management.



6. Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement

Analyze regional QA metrics (e.g., defect rates, inspection findings, complaint trends) and generate insights for continuous improvement.

Drive initiatives to reduce quality issues, improve supplier consistency, and align product standards regionally.

Maintain QA documentation, reports, and audit records in compliance with internal and regulatory standards.

7. Sustainability Integration

Work closely with the ZUS ESG team to embed sustainability goals into packaging and lifestyle merchandise QA processes.

Support the transition toward recyclable, biodegradable, and lower-impact packaging materials (e.g., PAS 9017-compliant plastics).

Engage suppliers to validate sustainable sourcing practices and manufacturing transparency.

Ensure sustainability-related claims are supported by testing, documentation, and aligned with regulatory standards across all markets.

8. Cross-Category QA Support

Provide backup support for other QA categories (e.g., food packaging, drink ingredients, or lifestyle F&B merchandise) during audits, product launches, or incident investigations.

Share QA best practices and defect learnings across categories to enhance overall quality culture.



9. Innovation & R&D Collaboration

Provide QA input during early-stage packaging and merchandise innovation projects to ensure feasibility, durability, and compliance are addressed from concept to execution.

Collaborate with Marketing and R&D to assess new material risks (e.g., plant-based plastics, recycled content) and support pilot evaluations.


Qualification and Experience

Qualification

Bachelor’s Degree in Quality Assurance, Packaging Science, Food Science or other related disciplines.

Completion or certified auditor qualification is required, preferably in ISO 9001 and / or FSSC 22000 (Packaging – ISO/TS 22002-4), to support supplier audits for food contact packaging, lifestyle merchandise and smallware.

Additional certifications in product safety and compliance (i.e. EN71, CPSIA, FDA FCM, EU 10/2011, GB etc) are strongly preferred.

Proficiency in Mandarin (written and spoken) is required to review supplier documentation and communicate effectively with China-based suppliers.



Experience

2 - 3 years of working experience in quality assurance, preferably in packaging, lifestyle products or consumer goods.

Hands-on experience in product testing, supplier audits and handling quality incidents related to packaging and lifestyle.

Familiarity with product development cycles and QA integration in cross-functional go-to-market processes.



Skills & Knowledge

Fluent in English, Chinese and Malay (spoken and written).

Strong knowledge of international standards and regulations: FDA FCM, EU10/2011, GB, EN71, ASTM, ISO packaging standards.

Proficient in QA methodologies: AQL sampling, root cause analysis, CAPA management, risk-based QA planning.

Ability to read and evaluate test reports, product specifications, and audit findings.

Competency in working with third-party labs and inspection agencies.

Understanding of ESG and sustainability principles related to packaging and consumer merchandise.



Behavioral Traits

Proactive, structured and adaptable to cross-cultural work settings.

Strong communicator and problem solver, with regional stakeholder engagement capability.

Committed to quality integrity, detail-orientated, and organized in multitasking.

Able to articulate new information quickly and react positively to new and challenging opportunities.

Possess own transport and wiling to travel