JobsSC Johnson

Director, Quality - Innovation

SC Johnson · WI

Posted Sep 14, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Walk me through a time you had to build or shape a quality strategy for a product still in the innovation pipeline, before it had firm specs. What did you put in place and why?

whether the candidate can create structure and standards in ambiguous, early-stage environments rather than only enforcing existing ones

Tell me about a time RD&E or Marketing pushed back on a quality requirement because it would slow down a launch. How did you handle it?

ability to hold a quality line under commercial pressure while keeping the relationship intact

Tell me about a time you had to influence a senior leader, someone above you in the hierarchy, to change a decision on quality grounds. What did you say and what happened?

credibility and communication skill when pushing upward, since the role explicitly requires influencing at the highest levels

Tell me about a team you led through a period where you had to change how they worked, maybe a new process or a shift in mindset. How did you get buy-in?

team leadership and change management skill, given the role requires building a culture of accountability from scratch or reshaping one

Describe a post-launch review you led where something went wrong or underperformed. What did you learn and what did you actually change for the next cycle?

whether they treat post-launch review as genuine learning versus a formality, and whether they take ownership of failure

Technical

How do you design a stage-gate process for innovation projects so that quality checks catch real risk without becoming a rubber stamp or a bottleneck?

depth of practical knowledge in governance frameworks versus reciting buzzwords

Describe how you've used FMEA, DOE, or Six Sigma tools on an actual project. What decision changed because of that analysis?

whether the technical toolkit is real hands-on experience or just certification language

How would you build voice-of-customer insight into product requirements early enough that it actually changes the design, instead of showing up as a complaint after launch?

whether they understand embedding customer feedback loops structurally, not just collecting survey data

What metrics would you put in front of senior leadership to show whether quality in the innovation pipeline is actually working, not just that reports are getting filed?

ability to design meaningful reporting that drives decisions rather than vanity metrics

Situational

Say a new product is six weeks from launch and a design control review turns up a risk that FMEA didn't catch earlier. What do you do?

judgment under time pressure and whether they escalate honestly versus quietly absorbing risk

You're managing quality across several innovation projects running in different global markets with a distributed team. How do you decide where to put your attention when everything feels urgent?

resource allocation judgment and comfort managing remote, dispersed teams under competing priorities

If Marketing wants to launch in a market with different regulatory requirements than the ones the product was originally designed for, how do you figure out what needs to change and who needs to sign off?

working knowledge of regulatory and compliance complexity across regions in an FMCG-type business

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The full job description

As published by SC Johnson.

SC Johnson has been leading with purpose for 140 years, building high-quality products and iconic brands found in homes, schools and businesses in virtually every country worldwide – including OFF!®, Raid®, Glade®, Windex®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Ziploc®, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day®, method®, Autan®, Baygon®, Mr Muscle®, Duck®, Lysoform® and more. The 13,000 people of our global, fifth-generation family company are committed to making the world a better place today and for future generations. ABOUT THE ROLE The  Director, Quality - Innovation is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and driving the quality strategy within the innovation pipeline. This position leads a dedicated team that partners with Research, Development & Engineering (RD&E) and Marketing to embed a quality-first mindset into product development. The role ensures that new products meet rigorous quality standards, deliver exceptional customer experience, and align with business objectives. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership & Vision: • Define and champion the quality strategy for innovation projects, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and customer expectations. • Serve as the executive voice for quality within innovation forums, influencing decisions at the highest levels. Team Leadership & Development: • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Innovation Quality team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. • Allocate resources effectively to support multiple innovation projects across global markets. Cross-Functional Partnership: • Collaborate with RD&E and Marketing leadership to integrate quality principles into product design, development, and commercialization processes. • Drive early engagement in concept development to proactively identify risks and ensure robust design controls. Governance & Process Excellence: • Establish and maintain quality frameworks for innovation, including stage-gate processes, risk management, and validation protocols. • Implement metrics and reporting systems to monitor quality performance and provide visibility to senior leadership. Customer-Centric Focus: • Ensure voice-of-customer insights and market feedback are embedded into product requirements and quality standards. • Lead post-launch reviews to capture learnings and drive continuous improvement in future innovation cycles. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE YOU’LL BRING • 12+ years’ experience in Quality leadership roles, including at least 5 years managing teams in innovation or product development environments. • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or related field; advanced degree preferred.  PREFERRED EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS • Master’s degree in engineering / Science / Chemistry. • Expertise in quality systems, design controls, and risk management methodologies (FMEA, DOE, Six Sigma). • Experience in FMCG, Pharma, Cosmetics or Food industries. • Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives in complex, fast-paced settings. • Exceptional leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills. • Familiarity with regulatory requirements and compliance standards relevant to the industry. • Professional Certifications (ASQ CQE, Six Sigma Black Belt) are a plus.  • Driving Execution and strong ability to influence individuals, both upwards and downwards in organization. • Building Organizational Relationships. • Visionary thinking and used to operate in highly complex environment. • Leadership Versatility and ability to manage remote teams High Impact Delivery. • High Impact Delivery. • Drive for Stakeholder Success. JOB REQUIREMENTS • Full-time. • This role is eligible for domestic relocation. • Remote work is available once a week for eligible employees.   Inclusion & Diversity We’re a global business, with people from every culture, ethnicity, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age and ability. We recognize the breadth of human experience, and we work to celebrate it. It is our goal to build a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment where all people can thrive. We’re committed to ongoing efforts that help us attract, hire, and retain diverse talent who want to build a positive, inclusive environment. Read more about our ongoing initiatives at https://jobs.scjohnson.com/inclusion . Better Together At SC Johnson, we believe people achieve their best when they collaborate and work together in person. We value connection to strengthen teamwork, accelerate problem solving, and drive innovation. Equal Opportunity Employer The policy of the Company is to ensure equal opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in any active or reserve component of the U.S. or state military forces, genetic history or information or any other category protected by law. Accommodation Requests If you are an individual with a disability and you need an accommodation or other assistance during the application process, please call our Human Resources department at 262-260-3343 or email your request to SCJHR@scj.com . All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Download the EEO Know Your Rights poster  for more information.

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