QC Team Lead

MSD; Carlow; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD in Carlow is recruiting a QC Specialist to report to the QC Manager, ensuring CGMP compliance and reliable supply for vaccines, biologics, and small molecules.

You will lead the Sample Management Team, uphold data integrity (ALCOA+), support introductions of new products, participate in audits, and drive continuous improvements across Quality Management Systems. A Bachelor's degree with 3+ years in pharma is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related science discipline
• 3+ years of pharma industry experience
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Effective communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and lean projects

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Sample Management Team.
• Act as team or project lead; promote teamwork and issue discussion.
• Drive CGMP/GDP compliance in day-to-day activities.
• Ensure ALCOA+ data integrity for records and data.
• Escalate CGMP violations or other quality concerns.
• Provide quality support for new product introductions and releases.
• Monitor and report on Quality Management Systems and KPIs.
• Collaborate with QA/QC and other functions to resolve queries.
• Mentor cross-functional teams to ensure compliant manufacturing and release.
• Schedule daily/weekly tasks for the Sample Management team and support troubleshooting.

Skills

Continuous Improvement

Cross-Functional Teamwork

Data Integrity

Pre Audit

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

Sample Management

Task Allocation

Technical Procedures

Education

Bachelor's Degree or higher

related Science discipline

Job description

Job Description

Our facility in Carlow site broke ground in 2008 and is a filling site for the launch and commercial supply of vaccines, biologics and small molecule drug product. Since its initial launch, the site has attracted significant internal investment and is now home to a number of state-of-the-art production facilities, laboratories and temperature-controlled warehousing units. The Carlow site is a significant employer in the Southeast region and attracts high performing talent through close collaborations with universities and colleges in the region.

We are seeking a QC Specialist to join the team. Reporting to the QC Manager, the QC Specialist will ensure that objectives are effectively achieved, consistent with company requirements to ensure compliance, safety & reliable customer supply for our Carlow site.

Key Responsibilities

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation, and leadership to carry out the following:

• Lead and mentor the Sample Management Team.
• May act as a team or project lead and lead work of others as required; promotes teamwork and open discussion of issues, coaches and guides others.
• Drives CGMP/GDP compliance in the performance of day‑to‑day business activities.
• Ensure data integrity principles: Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, and Accurate (Complete, Consistent, Enduring and Available) (ALCOA+) are adhered to for records and data in day‑to‑day business activities.
• Escalate any potential violation of CGMP and/or other concerns which may affect the safety, efficacy, quality, or purity of our products.
• Provide expertise & quality support for the introduction of new products onto site in relation to product release where required.
• Report on and assist with monitoring the Quality Management Systems. Generate reports for performance metrics and significant quality events & issues.
• Liaise with the Quality/ Business Area Specialists/QC/QP/QA Lead to resolve quality related queries where required.
• Use expanded conceptual knowledge to provide mentoring and guidance to the relevant support functions to ensure manufacturing and release activities, resolution of investigations and assessment of change controls are performed in compliance with applicable procedures, our Company’s Global Policies and Guidelines, regulatory requirements and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
• Develop and maintain effective cross‑functional relationships with other departments and support functions to ensure that the process for the manufacturing, testing and release of vaccine and biologic products are in compliance with cGMP and the associated regulatory requirements.
• Participate in internal and external audits and inspections, ensuring department compliance/readiness, taking the role of auditee for assigned areas of responsibility.
• Build knowledge and exposure to MPS principles to identify and support continuous improvement and knowledge management by active participation to ensure quality systems and work practices are effective, efficient and ensure compliance and overall operational efficiency for batch and material release at the site where required.
• Schedule daily and weekly tasks for the Sample Management team to ensure workload is visible and aligns with the team KPIs.
• Support the Sample Management team in daily troubleshooting.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties

Eligibility and Requirements

In order to excel in this role, you will more than likely have:

• Bachelors Degree or higher preferred; ideally in a related Science discipline.
• You bring 3+ years of experience in the pharma industry.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for seamless collaboration.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and manage lean projects.

Required Skills

Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Data Integrity, Pre Audit, Quality Management Systems (QMS), Sample Management, Task Allocation, Technical Procedures

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date: 10/12/2026