Quality Assurance Manager

The ZDHC Foundation develops and implements the Roadmap to Zero Programme with a focus on reducing the chemical footprint of the Fashion Industry. We are the leading sustainability organisation driving sustainable chemistry, innovations, and best practices in textile, apparel, leather, and footwear manufacturing to protect consumers, workers,s and the environment.   Through collaborative engagement,   alignment, and large-scale implementation, we take a holistic approach to sustainable chemical management and enable tangible progress in the wider industry through the delivery of guidelines, platforms, and solutions, including capacity building and innovation projects. For more information about ZDHC, see www.roadmaptozero.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

The ZDHC Vision is a World in which better chemistry leads to the protection of life, land, air and water. The ZDHC Mission is to lead our global value chain to achieve the highest standard for sustainable chemical management, driving resource efficiency and circularity.

The Quality Assurance Manager plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity and impact of the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero (RtZ) Programme. By driving robust quality assurance practices across ZDHC’s solutions, tools, and service delivery, this role ensures that what is implemented is credible, consistent, and aligned with ZDHC’s ambition to enable safer chemistry and sustainable production.

Acting as a bridge between ZDHC Guidelines and real-world implementation, the Quality Assurance Manager oversees the performance and compliance of ZDHC Approved Solution Providers, strengthens quality systems, and ensures that programme requirements translate into measurable, high-quality outcomes across the value chain.

Through continuous monitoring, data-driven insights, and cross-functional collaboration, the role contributes to the evolution of ZDHC’s quality framework, supporting brands, suppliers, chemical formulators and partners in confidently adopting RtZ solutions while reinforcing trust in ZDHC’s programmes globally. The role also actively explores and applies innovative approaches, including the use of AI and digital tools, to enhance quality monitoring, improve efficiency, and enable more predictive and scalable quality assurance across the programme.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the approval and ongoing monitoring of ZDHC Approved Solution Providers, ensuring compliance with defined quality, technical, and performance standards, and maintaining the credibility of the RtZ Programme.

• Implement and maintain quality control processes for Solution Providers, including coordinating technical reviews, audits, and performance evaluations to ensure consistent service delivery.

• Manage and track quality or compliance issues, leading or supporting investigations, conducting root cause analysis, and ensuring timely follow-up through corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of ZDHC guidelines, methodologies, and quality procedures, ensuring alignment with evolving industry practices and sustainability standards.

• Ensure consistent application of quality standards across Solution Providers, digital platforms, training activities, and overall service delivery within the RtZ Programme.

• Support stakeholder implementation efforts (e.g. brands, suppliers, platforms) by providing guidance and oversight to ensure alignment with ZDHC tools, frameworks, and quality expectations.

• Collaborate with internal teams to strengthen quality assurance processes, improve ways of working, and ensure cross-functional alignment across programmes and solutions.

• Leverage data analytics and explore AI-enabled approaches to enhance quality monitoring, identify patterns or risks earlier, and improve the efficiency and scalability of quality assurance processes.

• Collect, analyse, and report quality-related data, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities to enhance programme performance and inform decision-making.

• Contribute to quality-related projects, pilots, and strategic initiatives, including those focused on digitalisation and AI, to strengthen programme implementation, drive continuous improvement, and increase overall impact.

• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in quality management, preferably in chemical testing laboratories or related environments.

• Proven experience in facility auditing within textile and/or leather supply chains, or strong familiarity with internationally recognised assessment systems (e.g. Cascale FEM, Textile Exchange standards).

• Comprehensive understanding of ISO 19011 principles to evaluate third-party laboratory performance and ensure rigorous audit standard alignment across the supply chain.

• In-depth knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 requirements to verify that laboratories possess the necessary technical competence, equipment calibration, and quality management systems.

• Good understanding of Solution Provider operations and quality standards.

• Experience in implementing quality systems, including audits, non-conformity management, and CAPA processes.

• Knowledge of investigation methodologies and root cause analysis.

• Fluency in English (minimum CEFR C1).

• Analytical Skills (Data) — Critically examine data to identify trends and relationships, draw logical conclusions, and generate insights for sound decision-making and problem-solving.

• Attention to Detail — Produce and review work carefully for accuracy, completeness, and consistency to ensure high standards.

• Communication — Share information, ideas, and expectations clearly and persuasively, and adapt style and content to the audience for understanding and impact.

• Innovation Mindset — Use attitudes and methods (e.g., design thinking, lean innovation) that promote creativity, experimentation, calculated risk-taking, and resilience to improve and innovate.

• Organisational Effectiveness (Planning & Prioritisation) — Align and optimise resources (people, financial, operational) to meet strategic goals, enable collaboration, and sustain high performance.