Senior Executive Quality Assurance

Senior QA Executive – MARS Cosmetics

Location: Delhi (Head Office; ~25% travel to 3P plants across India)

Employment Type: Full-time

Function: Quality Assurance / Regulatory

Seniority Level: Mid-Senior (5–8 yrs)

About MARS Cosmetics

MARS is a fast-growing , design-led Indian color cosmetics & personal care brand scaling toward global markets. All products are manufactured through qualified third-party (3P) partners; world-class quality is mission-critical.

Role Mission

Own end-to-end product quality across our 3P manufacturing network. Build and enforce gold-standard QA systems so every MARS batch is safe, compliant, high-performing, and consumer-delighting.

Key Outcomes (First 12 Months)

• Implement standardized QA agreements & GMP audit scorecards across 100% of 3P sites.

• Reduce batch release cycle time to <24 hrs from complete documentation receipt.

• Close 90% CAPA actions within agreed timelines; trend & report monthly.

• Achieve >95% on-spec batch acceptance rate (rolling 6 months).

Core Responsibilities

• 3P Quality Governance – Draft, negotiate, and enforce quality & technical agreements; maintain approved vendor list.

• GMP Audits & Compliance – Plan and conduct risk-based onsite audits (≥2/site/year); issue NC reports; drive CAPA closure.

• Batch Release Control – Review COAs, in-process data, micro results, stability & packaging compatibility; authorize release/hold.

• Specifications & Change Control – Maintain master product & packaging specs; manage deviations, reworks, relabeling approvals.

• Regulatory Readiness – Ensure BIS registration, CDSCO compliance, labeling/claims checks; align with ISO 22716 & relevant global cosmetic regs.

• Complaint & Deviation Management – Lead root-cause analysis (5-Why, Fishbone); trend recurring issues; feed prevention actions to R&D & Procurement.

• Supplier / Material Qualification – Support onboarding of new formulas, actives, pigments, and packaging; conduct first-article & incoming QA checks.

• Stability & Shelf-Life – Coordinate accelerated/real-time studies; track results against claims and storage conditions.

• Documentation & QMS – Own SOPs, forms, logs, electronic records (ERP/LIMS); ensure data integrity & audit trails.

• Cross-Functional Support – Partner with R&D, Packaging Dev, Ops, and Logistics on scale-ups, artwork, line trials, and recall readiness.

Must-Have Qualifications

• B.Pharm / B.Tech (Cosmetic Tech, Chemical Engg, Pharmacy, or related).

• 5–8 years QA/QC experience in cosmetics, personal care, or FMCG with multi-site 3P / contract manufacturing exposure.

• Working knowledge of ISO 22716 (Cosmetic GMP), BIS standards, stability & microbiological testing.

• Strong documentation discipline; proficient with MS Office / Google Sheets; exposure to ERP / LIMS / eQMS tools.

• Hands-on auditor comfortable in plants, labs, and with suppliers; willing to travel ~25%.

Soft Skills That Matter

• High ownership & follow-through in a fast, entrepreneurial environment.

• Clear written documentation; confident cross-functional communicator.

• Ability to negotiate quality expectations with external partners without damaging relationships.

• Analytical mindset; comfortable with numbers, risk scoring, and prioritization.