Head QA Operations & Excellence (m/f/d)

Grünenthal GmbH; Aachen; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Grünenthal GmbH, based in Germany, is seeking a dynamic QA Lead to oversee quality assurance for manufacturing operations. The role emphasizes independent, risk-based QA oversight, CAPA investigations, and strong cross-functional partnerships to ensure compliant and reliable production processes.

The candidate should bring a pharmacy degree with QP qualification, about 10 years in QA within pharma manufacturing, and proven leadership with excellent English and German communication.

Qualifications

• University degree in Pharmacy and Qualified Person (QP) according to § 15 AMG.
• Extensive QA experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong GMP knowledge and risk-based judgment.
• Proven leadership with focus on empowerment and talent development.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead, empower, and develop the QA team with succession planning.
• Partner with Production, QC, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure compliant manufacturing.
• Provide independent, risk-based QA oversight on shop floor operations.
• Drive quality risk management, investigations, CAPAs, and effectiveness checks.
• Promote proactive quality culture and continuous improvement site-wide.

Skills

Quality & GMP expertise

People leadership

Strategic mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Fluent German & English

Education

Pharmacy degree

Qualified Person (QP)

Job description

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Department: Global Operations & Production

Job ID: 45523

Management | Permanent | Full-time | On-Site

Our people in Manufacturing & Global Operations share two priorities: getting things done and making things better. If you’re a dynamic person with a positive mindset, you’ll fit in well here. It’s an international team with a powerful spirit of collaboration. Together, we make sure our products meet the highest standards of quality by constantly searching for ways to improve at every stage of our value chain – from the raw materials we buy through to the logistics network that brings our medicines to patients. Join our team and help us make an even bigger contribution to Grünenthal’s future.

What the job looks like

• Lead, empower, and develop the team, building capabilities and talent while ensuring effective succession planning
• Partner with all GxP functions (e.g., Production, QC, Engineering, Supply Chain) under the motto “Partners in Progress, Leaders in Quality” to ensure compliant and reliable manufacturing
• Provide independent, risk-based QA oversight of manufacturing operations, including strong shop-floor presence, timely guidance, challenge, escalation, and decision-making
• Ensure robust Quality risk management, including investigations, root-cause analysis, CAPAs, and effectiveness checks
• Drive proactive Quality management and continuous improvement through trend analysis, data-driven insights, early risk identification, and prevention
• Champion a strong Quality culture across the site, strengthening ownership, collaboration, and proactive Quality behaviors

What you´ll bring to the table

• University degree in Pharmacy and qualification as a Qualified Person (QP) according to § 15 AMG
• Around 10 years of relevant Quality Assurance experience in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, including senior leadership experience
• Strong Quality and GMP expertise, combined with sound, risk-based judgment
• Proven people leadership, with a strong focus on empowerment, talent development and succession planning
• Strategic and collaborative mindset, with the ability to build trusted cross-functional partnerships and constructively challenge
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across different organizational levels
• Fluent German and English, both written and spoken

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Grünenthal is a global leader in pain management and related diseases. As a science-based, privately-owned pharmaceutical company, we have a long track record of bringing innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies to patients worldwide. Our purpose is to change lives for the better – and innovation is our passion. We are focussing all of our activities and efforts on working towards our vision of a world free of pain.

Grünenthal is headquartered in Aachen, Germany, and has affiliates in 28 countries across Europe, Latin America and the US. Our products are available in more than 100 countries. In 2024, Grünenthal employed around 4,300 people and achieved sales of € 1.8 billion.