Quality Team Leader QA Operations (m/w/d)

Novartis; Österreich; On-site; EUR 71,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis in Schaftenau, Austria is seeking a Quality Team Leader QA Operations to lead a growing QA team across microbiology, shopfloor quality, and packaging material release.

You will ensure GMP-compliant oversight of manufacturing operations, drive continuous improvement, manage deviations and investigations, and partner with Production, Quality Control, and Material Planning to support regulatory readiness.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific or technical field.
• Extensive QA experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
• Strong GMP and quality compliance knowledge.
• Experience with batch release, audits, and inspection support.
• Solid understanding of quality management systems and regulatory expectations.
• Fluent German and strong English communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the QA Operations team in a growing manufacturing environment.
• Ensure compliant and timely release of packaging materials in line with GMP and regulatory requirements.
• Provide Quality Assurance oversight for operational activities across the production area.
• Ensure implementation and maintenance of the Contamination Control Strategy (CCS) and adherence to Annex 1 requirements within operational units.
• Provide QA oversight of environmental monitoring, microbiological controls, and contamination control measures.
• Support operations with strong technical quality expertise and practical decision making.
• Manage complex cross-functional quality topics, including deviations, investigations, and ambiguous or grey-area situations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to inspection readiness.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Quality Control, and Material Planning teams.

Skills

QA Leadership

GMP Knowledge

Batch Release

Audit Management

Regulatory Compliance

German/English Communication

Education

Master’s degree in science

Job description

Summary

Location: Schaftenau, Austria

Relocation Support: This role is based in Schaftenau, Austria. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

Ready to step into a leadership role? The Quality Team Leader QA Operations offers the chance to lead a growing QA Operations team across QA microbiology, shopfloor quality, and packaging material release.

In this role, you will , ensure GMP-compliant QA oversight of manufacturing operations, microbiological control and materialbatch release processes. You will, and act as a key quality partner across production and cross-functional teams. If you enjoy tackling complex quality topics, making decisions in ambiguous situations, and driving team performance, this role offers strong impact, visibility, and long-term stability.

About The Role

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the QA Operations team in a growing manufacturing environment
• Ensure compliant and timely release of packaging materials in line with GMP and regulatory requirements
• Provide Quality Assurance oversight for operational activities across the production area
• Ensure implementation and maintenance of the Contamination Control Strategy (CCS) and adherence to Annex 1 requirements within operational units
• Provide QA oversight of environmental monitoring (EM), microbiological controls, and contamination control measures
• Support operations with strong technical quality expertise and practical decision making
• Manage complex cross-functional quality topics, including including deviations, investigations, and ambiguous or grey-area situations
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to inspection readiness
• Collaborate closely with Production, Quality Control, and Material Planning teams

Essential Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific or technical field
• Strong experience in Quality Assurance within pharmaceutical manufacturing operations
• Sound knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices and quality compliance requirements
• Experience with batch release, audit management, and inspection support
• Strong understanding of quality management systems and regulatory expectations
• Very good German and strong English communication skills

Desirable Requirements

• Previous experience in an operations-focused manufacturing environment
• Resilience, agility, and confidence working in a fast-changing setting

You’ll Receive

You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook. https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

In addition to a market-competitive base salary, we offer an attractive incentive program, a modern company pension scheme, childcare facilities, learning and development opportunities as well as worldwide career possibilities within the Novartis group. In accordance with Austrian law, we are obliged to disclose the minimum salary as stated in the collective bargaining agreement. For this position the minimum salary is €78.383,90/year (on a full-time basis). The actual salary will be significantly higher, as we strive to maintain a competitive position in the market and consider your previous experience, qualifications and individual competencies.

Commitment To Diversity And Inclusion

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Why Novartis:

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards:

Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.

Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)