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

Die Grünenthal Gruppe; Aachen; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Die Grünenthal Gruppe is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance leader for on-site manufacturing operations in Germany. The role focuses on independent QA oversight, risk-based decision-making, and driving continuous improvement in a global pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

Ideal candidates hold a Pharmacy degree and QP qualification (AMG 15), with around 10 years of QA experience and strong leadership skills to empower teams and partner with cross-functional functions across the site.

Qualifications

• University degree in Pharmacy and qualification as a Qualified Person (QP) according to AMG 15.
• Strong Knowledge of Quality Assurance and GMP in pharma manufacturing.
• Proven leadership experience with empowerment and succession planning.
• Fluent in German and English (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Lead, empower, and develop the QA team and ensure effective succession planning.
• Provide independent QA oversight of manufacturing operations with strong shop-floor presence.
• Ensure robust quality risk management, including investigations and CAPAs.
• Drive proactive quality management and continuous improvement through data-driven insights.
• Cultivate a strong quality culture across the site and cross-functional partnerships.

Skills

QP qualification

Quality Assurance

GMP expertise

Leadership

Stakeholder management

German and English fluency

Education

University degree in Pharmacy

Job description

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