Head of Quality and Compliance

🌊 Who we are?

At Aquablu we’re disrupting the marketplace with a revolutionary (flavored) water system. Brought to life in 2018, our founders Marnix and Marc promised a healthy but tasty alternative to soft drinks. Since launching our flagship system Aquablu REFILL in 2023, we’ve grown 300%+ year-over-year, expanded to 16 countries, and were named the Fastest Growing Tech Company in Health & Wellness in the Netherlands.

About the role

We’re looking for a Head of Quality & Compliance to build a world-class quality organization from the ground up, spanning design, production, and field performance.

You will design and implement our Quality Management System, lead compliance, and use data and AI to make quality a true business enabler. From R&D to field reliability, you will ensure every Aquablu product meets the highest standards of safety and performance.

This is a rare opportunity to shape how a fast-growing, AI-driven hardware company scales quality globally.

What you will do

• Build & lead the Quality team: Define our QA strategy and QMS, create & grow the team, and foster a data-driven quality culture across Aquablu’s organization.

• Own quality across the product lifecycle: From design validation and supplier audits to field reliability and continuous improvement (FMEA, CAPA, 8D).

• Leverage data & AI: automate QA processes, predict and prevent failures, and drive faster, smarter decisions.

• Lead product compliance: oversee CE, RoHS, REACH, EMC, and safety certifications, managing technical documentation and relationships with test labs.

🌟 About you

Must-haves

• 6–10 years of experience in hardware quality, reliability, or QA leadership roles.

• Proven track record of building or scaling QMS in a hardware or IoT environment.

• Strong foundation in FMEA, NC/CAPA, validation testing, supplier quality, and field reliability.

• Data-driven mindset; confident with dashboards, analytics, and structured reporting.

• Exceptional communicator who can influence engineering, operations, and commercial teams.

• Experience managing contract manufacturers and test labs.

• Analytical, pragmatic, and process-driven with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.

Bonus points if you have:

• Familiarity with product compliance and certification frameworks (CE, RoHS, REACH, EMC, LVD, food-contact).

• Experience with AI/ML or automation tools in QA: predictive quality, anomaly detection, or smart testing.

• Exposure to software QA or IoT-connected ecosystems.

• Background in ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or similar regulated environments.

• Experience integrating QA data across tools like Jira, Notion, or ERP/QMS systems.

✨ Why join us?

• 📈 Equity through our Aquablu for All plan: it’s not just about shares, it’s about shared success.

• 🎯 Purpose with Impact: shape how the world hydrates while wiping out single-use plastics.

• 📋 Scale-up pace means fresh challenges (and new skills) every quarter.

• 🤝 Join an ambitious, bold, and fun crew that’s always got your back.

• 🌱 Company-sponsored gym membership keeps mind and body in sync.

• 💰 Pension plan with Zwitserleven (50/50 split) so you grow while your savings do, too.

🎵 What kind of vibe can you expect at our office? Check out our very own Spotify playlist "Akwablues"