Full-Time
Quality Assurance Associate
In-Process Control Filling
Kao
1,001-5,000 employees
Diversified consumer goods and specialty chemicals
Compensation Overview
€37k - €46k/mo
Darmstadt, Germany
In Person
 Manufacturing Quality & Test (1) |
|---|
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- Completed vocational training in a technical-chemical field is advantageous.
- Several years of professional experience in in-process control or similar quality-assurance activities in a manufacturing operation is advantageous.
- Good written and spoken German and English skills are required.
- Experience working with enterprise resource planning systems such as SAP is advantageous.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office is required.
- Willingness to work rotating shifts, including early, late, and night shifts, is required.
- Perform sampling inspections on the filling lines used for cosmetic-product production.
- Store and manage retention samples.
- Manage and create filling instructions.
- Create and maintain line-control specifications in SAP.
- Monitor fill-volume controls and create the corresponding specifications.
- Block nonconforming goods and organize rework when necessary.
- Support zero-series production runs.
- Define photographic standard samples.
Kao is a global player in consumer goods and industrial chemicals, with a long history of making hygiene, beauty, and cleaning products for consumers and professionals. Its offerings span skincare, cosmetics, and industrial surfactants, supported by extensive manufacturing capabilities and expertise in surface science and lipid research. The company sets itself apart with a strong focus on material science and biotechnology, and by using AI-driven digital tools in the Kirei Lifestyle Plan to personalize wellness experiences. Kao aims to improve everyday life while pursuing environmental goals such as carbon negativity by 2050, zero waste, carbon-neutral production, and a circular economy.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Tokyo, Japan
Founded
1887
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- FY2026 first-half sales rose 7.8%; operating income jumped 38.5% to 95.8 billion yen.
- Curél launched in the Nordics in September 2026 after Germany, France, and Netherlands.
- Bioré entered South Korea in March 2026, extending availability to 66 countries.
What critics are saying
- China cosmetics weakness still drags premium beauty growth, threatening 2026 expansion plans.
- Unilever, P&G, L'Oréal, and Shiseido pressure margins across beauty and home care.
- If semiconductor materials slow after AI capex, Kao's fastest-growing profit engine weakens.
What makes Kao unique
- Kao's Cleanthrough semiconductor cleaners hold top positions in NAND and package-substrate cleaning.
- Curél, Bioré, and Laurier support global expansion through focused brand-led growth.
- Kao combines consumer staples cash flow with specialty chemicals serving AI infrastructure.
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Benefits
Flexible Work Hours
Remote Work Options
Professional Development Budget
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 5%1 year growth
↑ 5%2 year growth
↑ 6%Kao appoints Michael Cramer as Vice President, Professional Hair and Consumer Care Business, EMEA. 3 September 2026 Michael Cramer takes on expanded leadership role spanning Kao's Professional Hair and Consumer Care businesses across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Kao has announced the appointment of Michael Cramer as Vice President, Kao Professional Hair and Consumer Care Business, EMEA. Building on his current responsibilities for the Consumer Care Business in EMEA, Michael will assume an expanded leadership role spanning both Kao's Professional Hair and Consumer Care businesses across Europe, the Middle East and Africa - a strategic move further strengthening the company's focus on driving sustainable growth across the region. Leadership experience and track record. Michael brings more than 25 years of experience in the consumer goods industry, spanning commercial, marketing and general management functions, including senior roles at Gillette and Reckitt. Since joining Kao in 2006, he has held numerous leadership positions across the DACH and Benelux regions and has served as Chairman of Kao Germany for more than five years. Most recently, he led the Consumer Care Business EMEA, where he accelerated the company's strategic growth ambitions and successfully strengthened collaboration across markets and functions. Strategic vision. In his new role, Michael will continue reporting to Joe Workman and lead the commercial business across both sectors in EMEA. Joe Workman, President of Global Consumer Care, Americas and EMEA, commented: "Michael has a proven track record of building high-performing teams, delivering strong business results and creating a culture of collaboration. His extensive experience across markets and categories, combined with his deep understanding of our customers and business, makes him the right leader to strengthen our Professional Hair and Consumer Care sectors in EMEA." Michael Cramer responded to his appointment: "I am grateful and excited to take on this new role and work alongside our talented teams across the region. By bringing together the strengths of our businesses, we are well positioned to create new opportunities for our brands, customers and partners, whilst continuing to deliver great products and experiences for our consumers. This will help us unlock growth opportunities across EMEA by combining a stronger regional perspective with a continued focus on the needs of individual markets and consumers." Supporting appointments. Supporting this structural change, René Heiligenstein, currently General Manager of Consumer Care Business DACH, has been appointed General Manager, Consumer Care Business, EMEA. In addition to his existing responsibilities for the DACH region, René will provide dedicated leadership across the broader EMEA Consumer Care organisation, including the UK, France and Benelux. He brings extensive experience in the Consumer Care business and a strong track record of leading market organisations and driving profitable growth.
Kao expands Curél into Nordic markets as European growth accelerates. THE WHAT? Kao is expanding its Curél sensitive skincare brand into Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, strengthening the Japanese group's European cosmetics business as part of its global growth strategy. THE DETAILS Curél will launch across the four Nordic markets in September 2026 exclusively through beauty retailers KICKS and Matas. The expansion follows launches in the UK in 2019, Germany and France in 2025 and the Netherlands in May 2026, with UK retail sales currently up 24 percent year on year. Curél is one of six focus brands within Kao's Global Sharp Top strategy, and the company aims to increase its sales to 1.6 times 2024 levels by 2030, with overseas markets accounting for approximately 50 percent of sales. THE WHY? The Nordic rollout demonstrates Kao's strategy of scaling selected Japanese beauty brands internationally through established specialist retail partners, with Europe positioned as a priority market for the expansion of its cosmetics portfolio.
Kao Corp stock (JP3205800000): Q1 earnings up 6% on sales growth. 12.05.2026 - 13:59:38 | ad-hoc-news.de Kao Corp reported Q1 2026 net sales of 4,132 billion yen, a 6.0% increase year-over-year, alongside full-year guidance of 1.75 trillion yen in revenue. Kao Corp, the Japanese consumer goods giant, released its Q1 2026 financial results showing net sales of 4,132 billion yen, up 6.0% from 3,899 billion yen in the prior-year quarter, according to the company's earnings overview as of May 2026. The company also issued full-year forecasts for the year ending December 2026, projecting revenue of 1.75 trillion yen, operating profit of 182 billion yen, and pretax profit of 185 billion yen, per Futunn as of May 2026. These figures highlight steady demand in beauty and hygiene products. As of: 12.05.2026 By the editorial team - specialized in equity coverage. At a glance. * Name: Kao Corporation * Sector/industry: Consumer goods / Beauty and hygiene * Headquarters/country: Japan * Core markets: Asia-Pacific, global * Key revenue drivers: Haircare, skincare, household products * Home exchange/listing venue: Tokyo Stock Exchange (4452) * Trading currency: JPY Official source For first-hand information on Kao Corp, visit the company's official website. Kao Corp: core business model. Kao Corp develops and markets a wide range of consumer products focused on beauty care, health and beauty, and fabric and home care. The company operates through segments including Beauty Care, Health and Beauty Care, and Fabric and Home Care. Its flagship brands include Attack for detergents and Biore for skincare, serving households globally with an emphasis on innovation in sustainable formulations. Headquartered in Tokyo, Kao Corp maintains a strong presence in Japan and Asia-Pacific, where it leverages local consumer preferences for premium personal care items. The business model emphasizes R&D investment, with annual spending supporting product differentiation in competitive markets. Main revenue and product drivers for Kao Corp. Beauty Care remains a key driver, encompassing haircare and skincare products that accounted for significant portions of prior-year sales. In Q1 2026, overall sales growth of 6.0% reflects robust demand in these categories amid sector recovery, as detailed in the Q1 earnings PDF as of May 2026. Household products like laundry detergents and fabric conditioners contribute steadily, bolstered by premium and eco-friendly lines. Full-year guidance of 1.75 trillion yen in revenue signals confidence in these drivers continuing through 2026. Industry trends and competitive position. The global beauty and personal care market is expanding, driven by rising consumer spending in Asia and premiumization trends. Kao Corp advances in haircare polymers and skin lightening products, holding a strong position in Asia-Pacific, which captured 43.11% of the skin lightening market share in 2025, according to Ad-hoc-News as of recent reporting. Competitors include Unilever and Procter & Gamble, but Kao differentiates through Japan-centric innovation and regional dominance. Why Kao Corp matters for US investors. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with ISIN JP3205800000, Kao Corp offers US investors exposure to the resilient Asian consumer goods sector. Its products reach US markets indirectly via global brands, providing diversification amid US economic cycles. Additional news and developments on the stock can be explored via the linked overview pages. Conclusion. Kao Corp's Q1 2026 results demonstrate solid sales growth and optimistic full-year guidance, underscoring strength in core consumer segments. Investors monitoring Japanese consumer stocks will note the company's regional leadership and innovation focus. Ongoing sector trends in Asia support its positioning amid global shifts. Disclaimer: This article does not constitute investment advice. Stocks are volatile financial instruments. Seit 2005 liefert der Börsenbrief trading-notes verlässliche Anlage-Empfehlungen - dreimal pro Woche, direkt ins Postfach. 100% kostenlos. 100% Expertenwissen. Trage einfach deine E-Mail Adresse ein und verpasse ab heute keine Top-Chance mehr. Jetzt abonnieren. Für. Immer. Kostenlos. en | JP3205800000 | KAO | boerse | 69313436 |
Cosmetics manufacturer Kao has a business making cleaning agents for semiconductors, benefiting from the AI chip demand boom alongside TOTO and Ajinomoto.
Japanese consumer goods manufacturers like Kao and Ajinomoto are stepping up production of semiconductor materials, using their know-how from far-flung fields to benefit from the AI boom. Kao started operations at a cleaning agent development center in its Taiwanese subsidiary's research facility.