Head of Quality Control

Optimus Life Sciences; Nordrhein-Westfalen; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimus Life Sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia seeks a Head of Quality Control to lead the on-site QC function in a GMP environment. This senior role oversees a team of experienced laboratory professionals and ensures day-to-day QC operations meet regulatory standards.

The successful candidate will drive method validation/transfer, maintain audit readiness, and collaborate with Quality, Production and R&D to continuously improve processes. Fluency in German and professional English is required.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in a GMP QC lab.
• Strong technical foundation in analytical chemistry and HPLC.
• Experience with method validation and transfer.
• Experience with deviations, OOS and GMP quality systems.
• Fluent German and professional English.

Responsibilities

• Lead the QC team and drive development of the department.
• Plan laboratory workload and coordinate testing activities.
• Ensure GMP compliance and inspection readiness.
• Oversee analytical activities including HPLC, validation, and transfers.
• Manage deviations, OOS investigations, change controls, and troubleshooting.
• Support qualification of lab equipment and methods.
• Represent QC in customer audits and technical discussions.
• Collaborate with Quality, Production and R&D functions.
• Pursue continuous improvement of lab processes and efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

GMP QC

HPLC

Method Validation

Audit Readiness

Troubleshooting

Analytical Chemistry

German & English

Job description

Head of Quality Control | Pharmaceutical / CDMO | NRW

I'm supporting an established pharmaceutical organization in North Rhine-Westphalia with the appointment of a Head of Quality Control to lead its on-site QC function.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership position within a GMP-regulated environment, taking responsibility for a team of experienced laboratory and analytical professionals.

The role

You will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation and development of the Quality Control department, including:

• Leadership and development of the QC team
• Planning and coordination of laboratory workload and testing activities
• Ensuring continued GMP compliance and inspection/audit readiness
• Oversight of analytical activities including HPLC, method validation and method transfer
• Management of deviations, OOS investigations, change controls and troubleshooting
• Supporting qualification of laboratory equipment and analytical methods
• Representing QC during customer audits and technical discussions
• Close collaboration with Quality, Production and Process/R&D functions
• Continuous improvement of laboratory processes, structures and efficiency

Your background

We are interested in speaking with experienced pharmaceutical QC professionals who bring:

• Strong experience within GMP pharmaceutical Quality Control
• Leadership experience within a QC laboratory environment
• A strong technical foundation in analytical chemistry / HPLC
• Experience with method validation, method transfer and analytical troubleshooting
• Good knowledge of deviations, OOS and GMP quality systems
• Confidence interacting with customers and supporting audits
• A practical, hands-on leadership style suited to a smaller, fast-moving organization
• Fluent/native-level German and professional English

Predominantly on-site position

Leadership responsibility for an established QC team

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of a QC function within a business where the Head of QC has direct visibility and influence across the organization.