Director of Quality Control (Montes Claros - MG)

Novo Nordisk; Montes Claros; On-site; BRL 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk in Montes Claros, Brazil, is seeking a Director, Head of Quality Control to lead Quality Control operations on site. You will set the strategic direction for QC, manage ~80 staff, and ensure GMP-compliant laboratory activities support manufacturing and supply.

The role requires substantial QC and GMP experience, strong leadership, and excellent cross-functional collaboration across global stakeholders. Fluency in English is essential; Portuguese is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in pharmaceutical quality control and GMP in manufacturing.
• Proven record of leading a large technical organisation and building teams.
• Fluent English; Portuguese optional and beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Set the direction for QC and lead an organisation of approximately 80 colleagues.
• Ensure QC activities are planned, performed and documented in line with GMP requirements and approved procedures.
• Oversee laboratory capacity, performance and priorities to support manufacturing and supply.
• Lead investigations of deviations and OOS results and drive CAPA within QC.
• Maintain inspection readiness and represent QC in audits and regulatory inspections.
• Build a culture of quality, safety and continuous improvement across QC.

Skills

Quality control

GMP experience

Leadership

Cross-functional

English fluent

Education

Science degree

Job description

Your impact begins here

As Director, Head of Quality Control, you will take overall responsibility for Quality Control at the Montes Claros site and lead approximately 80 colleagues. You will set the direction for the function, keep laboratory operations reliable and make sure QC meets applicable quality requirements while supporting manufacturing and supply. Your leadership will help ensure that the medicines people depend on are backed by quality that can be trusted.

What You’ll Bring

• Substantial experience in pharmaceutical quality control and a strong understanding of GMP in a manufacturing environment.
• A relevant degree in a scientific discipline.
• A proven record of leading a large technical organisation, including developing leaders and building effective teams.
• Sound quality judgement, with the ability to set priorities and improve performance.
• The ability to work across functions and cultures.
• Fluent English, written and spoken, to work with global stakeholders.

Useful, But Not Essential

• Experience collaborating with both site leadership and global stakeholders.
• Fluent Portuguese.

What You’ll Do

• Set the direction for QC, and lead, coach and develop an organisation of approximately 80 colleagues.
• Ensure QC activities are planned, performed and documented in line with applicable GMP requirements and approved procedures.
• Oversee laboratory capacity, performance and priorities to support manufacturing, supply and evolving site needs.
• Provide leadership for the investigation of laboratory deviations and out-of-specification results, and for effective corrective and preventive actions within QC.
• Maintain inspection readiness and represent QC in audits and regulatory inspections.
• Build a culture of quality, accountability, safety and continuous improvement across the QC organisation.

Who You’ll Work With

You will be based at the Montes Claros site in Brazil and report to the Senior Director, Global QC IO, with a dotted reporting line to the Head of QA at the site. Your QC team of approximately 80 colleagues will look to you for clear direction and priorities. Your closest partners will be QA, Production and other site functions. You will align local QC strategy and priorities with Global QC IO, so decisions are made with clarity and the work keeps moving. In Global Manufacturing & Supply, colleagues work across the value chain to scale molecules, processes, devices and products for the people who need them.

What You Can Expect Here

You will lead with the trust of site and global colleagues, and be supported to perform at your best. The role gives you room to shape how QC contributes to the Montes Claros site, to develop leaders in your organisation, and to grow your own perspective by working with both site leadership and global stakeholders. We value clear priorities, honest feedback and decisive action. You will be part of a team that holds quality and safety to a high standard while staying focused on results.

Start now

Your impact begins today.