Director, Quality Oversight – Contract Testing Laboratories

MSD

. Lead strategy, organisational design, budget oversight and performance management for contract testing laboratories and the cell bank quality oversight organisation .

Posted 10/22/2026full-timeRemote • Pennsylvania • United States, Netherlands, Ireland, SwitzerlandLead💰 $173,200 - $272,600 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in Quality Systems, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control within pharmaceutical manufacturing, with a strong focus on compliance, risk management, and operational excellence. Proven ability to lead teams, manage quality investigations, and establish governance routines to enhance performance and ensure regulatory compliance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Quality Assurance ManagementGMP ComplianceRisk-Based Quality ManagementTeam Leadership and DevelopmentRegulatory Inspection Support

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Quality SystemsQuality ControlQuality Governance ModelsAnalytical Technology TransferData-Driven Decision MakingQuality InvestigationsPerformance Metrics DefinitionOperational Performance ImprovementSupplier OversightContinuous Improvement Initiatives

Soft Skills

Operational ExcellenceProactive Problem-SolvingCollaborationAccountabilityMentoring

Industry Keywords

Pharmaceutical ManufacturingGLPHealth Authority RequirementsBiologicsVaccinesContract Testing LaboratoriesCell BankingQuality AgreementsMultinational Organization LeadershipSupply Chain Management

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead strategy, organisational design, budget oversight and performance management for contract testing laboratories and the cell bank quality oversight organisation
Establish and maintain risk-based quality oversight models for contract testing laboratories and cell banking
Provide operational leadership to contract testing laboratories accountable for drug substance, drug product and finished product testing
Provide Quality oversight to ensure products are tested, stored and retained in accordance with regulatory expectations, GLP, GMP and company requirements
Oversee resolution of quality issues, out-of-specification investigations and deviations that could impact launch or supply continuity
Provide Quality oversight for analytical technology transfer
Define performance expectations, metrics and governance routines to monitor and improve quality and operational performance
Lead Quality assessments for prospective contract test laboratories or new method citing and ensure gaps are remediated
Establish and maintain Quality agreements
Direct, mentor and develop a high-performing team of quality assurance professionals
Promote accountability, collaboration, operational excellence and proactive problem-solving across internal and external testing networks

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline required
Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in Quality Systems, Quality Assurance, and/or Quality Control within pharmaceutical manufacturing operations under global GMP and health authority requirements
Proven track record managing complex quality investigations, assessing risk, and making timely, data-driven decisions
Strong compliance background with experience supporting regulatory inspections and health authority interactions
Demonstrated success leading and developing teams
Ability to travel approximately 30% of the time, including occasional short-notice travel
Advanced degree in a relevant scientific or technical field preferred
Experience leading external partners across biologics or vaccines preferred
Prior leadership of a multinational organization with direct accountability for partner performance, compliance, and supply support preferred
Strong knowledge of quality governance models, supplier oversight, and risk-based quality management systems preferred
Experience partnering with leadership at external partners to influence performance, strengthen quality systems, and accelerate remediation preferred
Broader exposure to operations, engineering, supply chain, and commercial functions preferred
Experience leading transformation, standardization, or continuous improvement initiatives preferred
No visa sponsorship

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable
Medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits for employee and family
Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
Paid holidays
Vacation
Compassionate and sick days
Remote work arrangement
No relocation