Quality Manager Global Accounts
Haag, St. Gallen, CH
About VAT Group
At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.
Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.
Quality Manager – Global Account / Key Account
Purpose of the role
Act as the single point of contact for a major global customer regarding all quality-related topics and requirements. Lead the Global/Key Account Product Quality Engineers and work closely with Product Management, Key Account teams, and global stakeholders to drive customer satisfaction, quality performance, and a zero-defect culture.
Responsibilities
- Professionally lead and coordinate the Global Account / Key Account Product Quality Engineers.
- Act as the primary customer interface for all quality-related topics, requirements, and escalations.
- Ensure product quality in the market and support the fulfillment of customer-specific quality expectations.
- Manage quality escalations and customer dissatisfaction, coordinating appropriate corrective actions.
- Define, manage, and track annual customer-specific quality objectives and initiatives.
- Own the Quality section of the customer scorecard, including definition of initiatives, monitoring, preparation of materials, and customer communication.
- Monitor customer and VAT quality KPIs and define and track corrective measures where required.
- Lead the standardization and optimization of product quality and customer-specific processes.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and cross-functional stakeholders globally.
- Lead or support customer visits and audits, taking responsibility for all quality-related topics.
- Collaborate closely with Product Management, Key Account teams, Engineering, and other global functions.
- Drive continuous improvement and contribute to a zero-defect quality culture.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in quality management combined with direct customer interaction.
- Experience with quality processes for high-tech components within a global and highly consolidated market environment.
- Experience in the semiconductor industry, including relevant customer requirements and processes such as Copy Exact.
- Strong knowledge of quality management methodologies and tools, including 8D, Ishikawa, 5 Why, Fishbone Diagram, FMEA, and SPC.
- Advanced experience in audit management, complaint management, project management, product development, and change management.
- Knowledge of ISO and IATF standards and requirements.
- Auditor qualification or relevant auditing experience.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent education as a Quality Expert/Manager or similar.
- Technical education or degree in Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering is considered an advantage.
- Strong escalation, conflict management, moderation, presentation, and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively within international teams and a global matrix organization.
- Systematic, methodical, and solution-oriented approach with the ability to hold stakeholders accountable when required.
- Very good knowledge of VAT products, their functionality, and areas of application.
- Fluent in English and German.
Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities
We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct.