Quality Manager – Quality Control & Assurance

About the role

We are a niche beauty startup developing high‑quality, natural‑ingredient cosmetics. As Quality Manager you will lead both quality control and quality assurance activities to ensure our products meet regulatory and performance standards.

Key responsibilities

• Own incoming quality control for raw materials and packaging, including sampling plans, specification checks, and supplier certificate of analysis review.
• Manage batch release by reviewing production records, in‑process checks, and finished‑product testing before a batch is cleared for sale.
• Coordinate microbiological, stability, and preservative‑efficacy (challenge) testing with external laboratories and interpret results against acceptance criteria.
• Lead investigations of out‑of‑specification results and contamination events, performing root cause analysis, containment, and CAPA planning.
• Maintain and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures for QC and QA processes.
• Own the customer complaint process: logging, root‑cause analysis, corrective action, and closure.
• Maintain quality records and documentation in line with ISO 22716 (Cosmetics GMP) principles.
• Support internal audits and prepare documentation for external audits and certification bodies.
• Evaluate new raw materials and suppliers from a quality perspective, collaborating with Sourcing and Development.
• Act as the day‑to‑day quality contact for Production and Development, flagging quality risks early.

Required profile

• 3+ years of experience in Quality Control or Quality Assurance within cosmetics, personal care, or a comparable regulated industry.
• Degree in a natural science field (Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Biology) or equivalent hands‑on experience.
• Working knowledge of ISO 22716 (Cosmetics GMP) and cosmetic microbiological/challenge testing standards (e.g., ISO 11930).
• Practical experience with root‑cause analysis and CAPA processes.
• Comfortable reviewing batch records, certificates of analysis, and laboratory test reports independently.
• Experience collaborating with external testing laboratories.
• Structured, hands‑on attitude and ability to own documentation and quality decisions in a small‑team startup environment.
• Business‑fluent English and German.

Required skills

• ISO 22716 (Cosmetics GMP)
• ISO 11930 (challenge testing)
• Root cause analysis
• CAPA processes
• Batch record review
• Certificate of analysis review
• Laboratory test report interpretation
• External laboratory coordination

What we offer

• Appealing discount on all company products.
• 28 days paid time off per year plus up to 5 additional days between Christmas and New Year.
• Urban Sports Club membership, Swapfiets bike rental, and a subsidy for the BVG ticket.
• Discounts of up to 50% on brands such as Flaconi, Bosch, Apple, and Expedia.