Quality Control Supervisor

en-careers-hovione; Cork; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Hovione is seeking a Quality Control Supervisor to lead a highly technical QC team in Ireland. You will oversee all QC activities for raw materials, intermediates, and finished products while driving continuous improvement, compliance, and operational excellence.

You will coach and develop technicians, implement laboratory strategies, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure right-first-time results and robust CAPA programs. Fluent English and strong GMP knowledge are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry or related scientific discipline and GMP experience.
• Proven leadership of analytical chemistry/quality control teams.
• Experience delivering process improvements within a GMP environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a QC team, promoting collaboration and development.
• Oversee QC activities for materials, intermediates, and finished products.
• Develop lab strategies aligned to priorities and projects.
• Drive Right First Time, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
• Monitor KPIs and provide insights to leadership.
• Lead investigations into deviations and OOS results seeking CAPAs.
• Represent QC in audits, customer interactions and cross-functional meetings.
• Ensure GMP/ICH/compliance and safety requirements are met.

Skills

Inspirational leadership

Communication

Strategic mindset

Problem solving

People development

GMP knowledge

ICH guidelines

Quality culture

Quality systems

English proficiency

Education

Chemistry/Bachelor degree

Related scientific discipline

Job description

Join a Market Leader

About Hovione

At Hovione, we help partners turn scientific innovation into medicines that reach patients around the world. For more than 65 years, we have connected science, technology, and manufacturing to scale complex ideas into high-quality and innovative solutions that truly make a difference.

As an international Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), we support the development and manufacture of drug substances, intermediates, and drug products across the full life cycle. We are globally recognized for our leadership in specialized technologies such as Spray Drying and Continuous Tableting. But what truly sets us apart is not just what we do - it is how we do it: with purpose, care, collaboration, and a deep commitment to doing the right things right.

Our people are the reason for our success. We are a global and diverse team of more than 2,600 team members across Europe, the USA, and Asia, bringing together different experiences and perspectives to help our partners to overcome complex challenges. We believe that an inclusive environment - where everyone, regardless of background, identity or ability, is respected, heard and empowered to contribute - is essential to drive innovation, ensure quality, and secure long-term sustainable success.

And as we grow, so do the opportunities for our people to develop, broaden their perspectives, and build meaningful careers. Because at Hovione, better starts with those who choose to make a difference every day. Will you be one of them?

You will be responsible to:

Join a dynamic and highly technical environment where quality, innovation, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do. As a Quality Control Supervisor, you will play a key leadership role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality analytical services while developing people, driving operational excellence, and maintaining the highest standards of compliance and scientific rigor.

What You'll Do

• Lead and inspire a team of Quality Control professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous development.
• Oversee all Quality Control activities to ensure the quality and compliance of raw materials, intermediates, finished products, and analytical services.
• Develop and implement laboratory strategies, methodologies, and resource plans aligned with business priorities and project demands.
• Drive operational excellence by promoting a Right First Time mindset and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, service levels, quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Ensure optimal utilization of laboratory equipment, resources, and team capabilities.
• Monitor team performance through KPIs and provide actionable insights to support business objectives.
• Lead investigations related to OOS results, deviations, QC incidents, and HSE events, ensuring robust root cause analysis and implementation of effective CAPAs.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives and support the implementation of innovative technologies, processes, and best practices.
• Identify training and development needs, ensuring the team remains highly skilled and prepared for future challenges.
• Represent the Quality Control function during customer interactions, audits, inspections, and cross-functional meetings.
• Maintain a strong compliance culture, ensuring adherence to GMP, ICH, HSE, and internal quality requirements.
• Partner closely with HR and senior leadership to support recruitment, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and employee engagement activities.
• Create an environment where individuals are empowered to grow professionally while delivering outstanding business results.
• Shift pattern 4 days: 7:00 to 19:00 - 4 days off - repeat

We are looking to recruit a Candidate:

Education

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Health Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• Equivalent experience in a relevant technical field will also be considered.

Experience

• Proven experience within an Analytical Chemistry and/or Quality Control laboratory environment.
• Previous experience leading, coaching, and developing technical teams.
• Strong track record of managing laboratory operations in a GMP-regulated environment.
• Experience leading investigations, managing deviations, OOS results, and driving corrective and preventive actions.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver operational improvements while maintaining compliance and quality standards.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of analytical laboratory techniques, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Solid understanding of GMP, ICH guidelines, and pharmaceutical quality standards.
• Experience with quality management systems, laboratory processes, and performance management tools.
• Ability to balance scientific excellence with operational and business priorities.

Skills & Competencies

• Inspirational leadership with a passion for developing people and building high-performing teams.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Strategic mindset combined with hands-on problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Results-driven, resilient, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong commitment to quality, compliance, safety, and customer satisfaction.

Hovione is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer

Inclusion and diversity are key to us. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. If you require any reasonable accommodation or support during the application or interview process, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.