Deputy Quality Manager

Government Recruitment Service; Lewes; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking a Deputy Quality Manager to support the Virology department. You will ensure compliance with ISO9001 and GxP standards while managing audits and documentation. The role involves training to become an internal auditor and facilitating quality improvements across the team. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree and experience in quality management systems, alongside strong attention to detail and collaboration skills. This position is crucial for maintaining high-quality standards within the department.

Benefits

Equitable opportunities for all

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience with quality management systems and standards.
• Familiarity with ISO9001 and ISO17025 standards.
• Knowledge of GxP compliance practices.

Responsibilities

• Support the Quality manager to ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Assist with internal and external quality audits.
• Manage departmental documentation and compliance.

Skills

ISO9001:2015 knowledge

GxP compliance understanding

Audit experience

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Relevant degree in a scientific field

Tools

Central Records Management System (CRMS)

Ideagen Quality Management System

Content Cloud+

Job description

Do you want to be part of a team safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare? If so, why not join us and make a difference.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions. We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.

The Virology department is a multi-disciplinary team with a statutory remit in named reportable, endemic, notifiable and exotic diseases for the delivery of research, diagnostic services and surveillance programmes. As the Deputy Quality Manager in the Virology department, you will support the Virology Quality Manager maintain the quality standards across the department. This will involve ensuring the department meets ISO9001:2015 certification, ISO/IEC17025:2017 accreditation requirements and Good x Practice (GxP) compliance through performing audits and investigating non-conforming work.

Main areas of work will include:

• Provide support to the Quality manager to ensure all Virology quality system processes under ISO:9001, ISO:17025 quality standards, GxP compliance and the DEFRA Joint Codes of Practice for Research (JCoPR) for research areas are adhered to locally.
• Assist with third party quality audits by providing support to teams in preparing for external assessments and preparing responses.
• Undertake training to become an auditor. Assist with internal Quality audits, ensure that reports are completed in full and effectively close out actions for all Virology quality system auditing including test witness, vertical, directed audits and additions to ISO17025 scope.
• Minute the Virology Quality Management Team meetings and QualVMT.
• Manage all departmental documentation on Central Records Management System (CRMS) ensuring compliance with document control in line with quality standards.
• Assist with the editing and publishing Virology Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) on Content Cloud+ ensuring the established document control systems are adhered to.
• Assist with the departmental utilisation of the Ideagen Quality Management (IQM) System (for logging and monitoring non-conforming work and complaints) in Virology.
• Assist with the management of the department equipment database.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency gains and continual improvement through appropriate harmonisation of methods and procedures across the department.
• Review and monitor action progress from Quality audits and non-conformances raised, ensuring implemented actions are appropriate, effective and implemented within documented deadlines.
• To fulfil responsibilities for Health and Safety as defined in the APHA Health and Safety Policy and appropriate standards, Risk Assessments and SOPs. Ensure any Health and Safety issues identified during Quality audits are raised. Maintain a safe and productive working environment.