Senior Manager – Product Quality (Critical-to-Quality)

About the role

Sonova is seeking an experienced leader to own and continuously evolve its global Critical-to-Quality (CtQ) framework for hardware and software products. You will embed critical product characteristics throughout the entire lifecycle, ensuring reliability and compliance in a highly regulated environment.

Key responsibilities

• Define, implement and improve the global CtQ process across product development, manufacturing, suppliers and service.
• Establish CtQ governance, standards and best practices, and lead cross‑functional CtQ reviews.
• Partner with R&D and product development teams to integrate reliability engineering principles from concept to launch.
• Maintain end‑to‑end traceability of CtQ attributes from requirements through verification, validation, production and field performance.
• Integrate CtQ requirements into Design‑, Process‑, Service‑FMEA and safety risk management activities.
• Feed field performance and customer insights back into CtQ updates for continuous product improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement of CtQ methodologies, tools and key performance indicators.

Required profile

• Degree in Engineering, Quality, Science or equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive background in product development, reliability engineering, design quality, manufacturing engineering or operational excellence within a regulated industry (e.g., medical devices, aerospace, automotive).
• Hands‑on experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA and Lean initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems, especially ISO 9001; experience with ISO 13485, ISO 14971 and IEC 62304 is a plus.
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally with R&D, manufacturing and supplier teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and presentation skills.
• Fluent English; German is a plus.

Required skills

• APQP
• PPAP
• FMEA
• Lean methodologies
• ISO 9001
• ISO 13485 (advantage)
• ISO 14971 (advantage)
• IEC 62304 (advantage)