Manager, Quality - Baby Products

Job ID: 12862 

Alternate Locations:  

Newell Brands is a leading consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands like Graco®, Coleman®, Oster®, Rubbermaid®, Sharpie® and Yankee Candle® - and 24,000 talented teammates around the world. Our culture is built on values in action: Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership, and Leadership. We work together to win, grow, and make a real impact—supported by a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative environment where you can be your best, every day.

Job Summary:

The Manager, Quality will lead a team of quality professionals responsible for product quality, consumer safety, and quality system effectiveness for the Baby division.

This position will:

• Drive quality into Baby new products by guiding cross-functional teams through proactive use of quality best practices in the development process (FMEA, APQP, PPAP, design reviews, and risk-based verification/validation).
• Maintain and improve the quality of existing products by monitoring the voice of the customer, warranty/returns data, and field performance, and by driving continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for quality issues using robust root cause identification methods (8D, 5-Why, A3, Shainin, etc.) and verification of effectiveness.
• Develop and deploy skills expectations, standard work, and training for the quality team and cross-functional partners.
• Ensure maximum efficiency and productivity of the team while adhering to Newell’s values and operating cadence.
• Coordinate with and influence Supply Chain, R&D, Operations, and Brand Marketing to ensure quality, cost, and schedule commitments are met.
• Partner with Regulatory/Compliance and Safety to ensure products meet applicable global requirements (e.g., CPSC/ASTM/EN/NHTSA where applicable) and that risk is appropriately assessed and mitigated. Drive supplier and manufacturing quality performance through capability assessments, process validation, and change control for source moves, equipment changes, and material substitutions.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed (typically 10-20%).

Responsibilities:

Business Acumen – 40%

-Establish metrics and track key performance indicators to assess quality performance and drive improvement initiatives.
-Accountable for owning and resolving Baby product quality issues; sets priorities and drives closure.
-Collaborate and proactively communicate with all functions and regions.
-Oversee quality processes and ensure on-time delivery of projects.
Provide resources and leadership for activities such as:
• New product development
• Maintenance of existing products
• Productivity projects
• Source moves
• Raw material substitution and change control

Technical Leadership – 20%

-Develop and maintain quality policies, procedures, and standard work, as required.
-Guide the division through quality processes for NPD (FMEA, APQP, PPAP) and risk-based verification/validation.
-Oversee approaches to qualify supply chain changes and productivity projects (moves, equipment changes, material changes, etc.).
-Lead the team to continuously improve product quality and reduce cost of poor quality (COPQ).

Problem Solving - 10%

-Guide the team in working with suppliers on resolving defective material issues, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
-Leverage experience to identify critical activities required for successful delivery of program objectives and to escalate risks early.
-Ensure containment and interim controls are implemented quickly to protect the consumer and the business.

Communications - 10%

-Summarize complex situations in clear, data-driven language for leadership.
-Collaborate with Brand, Legal, Regulatory/Compliance, and Supply Chain in development of external communication (as needed).
-Influence without authority to align teams on decisions, trade-offs, and risk mitigation.

Organizational Agility - 10%

Transfer quality principles into other cross-functional organizations resulting in better product quality.
Support quality collaboration efforts across the organization to leverage best practices, expertise, and shared resources.
Build strong partnerships across global locations and functions.

Technical Mastery - 10%

-Drive implementation of statistical data analysis and visualization (SPC, capability, trend analysis).
-Drive best practices in root cause analysis and corrective actions, including verification of effectiveness.
-Promote a culture of prevention, learning, and continuous improvement.

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, materials, industrial engineering, or closely related field required (consumer products industry experience preferred).
• 7+ years of Quality experience (consumer products and/or durable goods preferred but not limited).
• 3+ years of people management experience, including coaching and developing technical talent.

Skills and Competencies:

• Hands-on experience leading a quality function with accountability for product and process quality.
• Management experience and the proven ability to work effectively in a global, matrixed organization.
• Experience across manufacturing processes; specific knowledge of molding, automated assembly, electronic assembly, and compounding preferred.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work with all levels of the organization and external suppliers/customers.
• Demonstrated competence with problem solving methodologies (8D, 5-Why, A3, Shainin, etc.) and process validation methodologies (APQP, Control Plans, PPAP, etc.).
• Demonstrated understanding of consumer product safety and regulatory requirements; experience supporting compliance testing and documentation strongly preferred.
• Strong data literacy: able to translate VOC/returns/warranty data into actionable insights; proficiency with Excel and common BI/analytics tools a plus.
• Experience with supplier quality management, audits, and manufacturing readiness (process capability, PFMEA, control plans).
• Bias for action, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• CQM and/or CQE preferred

Key Measures of Success:

• Improved consumer-facing quality metrics (complaints rate, returns, warranty, ratings/reviews sentiment) for priority programs.
• On-time, right-first-time NPD launches with robust risk management (FMEA closure, PPAP readiness, validation completion).
• Reduced cost of poor quality (scrap, rework, chargebacks, concessions) through sustained corrective actions.
• Strengthened QMS adherence and effectiveness, including audit readiness and timely closure of findings.
• High engagement, development, and retention of quality talent.

Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. We are focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments. Newell Brands and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers and comply with applicable employment laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.