Spclst, Quality Systems & Compliance

MSD; Carlow; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Carlow, Ireland is seeking a Quality Systems and Compliance - Regulatory Compliance Specialist to help ensure vaccine and biologics manufacturing meets cGMP and regulatory requirements for safety, quality and reliable supply.

You will lead cross-functional regulatory activities, manage HPRA submissions, maintain master files, support audits, and drive continuous improvement of quality systems across site operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a science discipline.
• 5+ years in Regulatory Affairs, QA or Regulatory Compliance in GMP/pharma.
• Experience with CMC submissions and health authority Q&A cycles.
• Experience supporting technology transfer and regulatory documentation across functions.
• Licensing activities: Site Master File, HPRA notifications, market accreditations.
• Knowledge of EMA, FDA, ICH guidelines and HPRA requirements.
• Strong data integrity and regulatory document management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple regulatory activities to tight timelines.

Responsibilities

• Comply with CGMP/GDP in day-to-day activities.
• Prepare GMP documentation and respond to agency questions.
• Maintain site master file and regulatory dossiers.
• Support product renewals, re-registrations and tenders.
• Lead regulatory tracking, reporting and knowledge management systems.
• Coordinate audits/inspections and respond to findings.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to meet regulatory requirements.
• Ensure processes and procedures for all quality activities are followed.

Skills

GMP Knowledge

Regulatory Affairs

Quality Assurance

ALCOA Data Integrity

Documentation Management

CMC Submissions

Audit Readiness

Change Controls

Cross-functional Collaboration

Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science

Regulatory Affairs certification

Job description

Job Description A fantastic and hugely exciting opportunity has arisen for a Quality Systems and compliance - Regulatory Compliance Specialist. Reporting to the Quality Systems and Compliance Associate Director, this role plays a key part in Regulatory Compliance at site. The role is responsible for helping ensure that vaccine and biologics manufacturing processes comply with cGMP and associated regulatory requirements, and that objectives are achieved consistently with our Company requirements for compliance, safety, and reliable supply to customers.

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

Responsibilities

• Comply with and execute CGMP/GDP in the performance of day-to-day business activities.
• Ensure data integrity principles: Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, and Accurate (ALCOA) are adhered to for records and data in day-to-day business activities.
• Work collaboratively to drive a safe and compliant culture on site.
• Management of regulatory requests that come to site including: Preparation of GMP dossiers to support new submissions
• Preparation of ancillary documents required to support module 1 of the regulatory dossiers in applicable markets
• Author/review all related responses to agency questions
• Preparation of documentation required to support product renewals, re-registrations and tender bids.
• Maintenance of Japanese site accreditation
• Maintenance of site GMP certificates and IMP/Commercial license
• Management of HPRA notifications for new product
• Management of the site master file
• Quality review of new product dossiers as part of BLA/MAA authoring
• Quality review of post approval change submissions
• Review of applicable change controls to determine impact to local documentation/regulatory requirements.
• Work collaboratively with site and above site teams to resolve regulatory compliance issues
• Participate in relevant product team meetings
• Participate in NPI tech transfer workshops to identify regulatory compliance deliverables
• Support regulatory compliance metrics and reporting
• Ensure and promote that adequate processes and procedures are in place and followed for all Quality activities.
• Liaise with the Quality/Business Area Specialists/QP/QA Lead as well as Quality Associate Specialist/Specialists to resolve quality related queries where required.
• Develop and maintain effective cross-functional relationships with other depts 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.
• Identify, influence and support compliance initiatives to improve compliance status and overall operational efficiency for batch release at the site.
• Execute/Review/Approve/Support deviation/CAPA activities, change controls, complaints, data integrity, quality agreements, Supplier/Material Qualification, cleaning verification/validation, Quality Risk Management processes and other documentation including generation, investigation, documentation, implementation, verification closure, effectiveness and trending where required for the Quality Department and supporting functions.
• Ensure and promote compliance to regulatory requirements.

What skills you will need

• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred, ideally in a related science discipline.
• Typically 5+ years' experience in Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, and/or Regulatory Compliance within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical or biologics manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Demonstrated track record in CMC regulatory submissions, dossier preparation, and management of complex health authority question-and-answer cycles, including compilation and review of large volumes of supporting documentation.
• Hands‑on experience supporting technology transfer and new product introduction activities at a manufacturing site level, including coordination of regulatory documentation across functions.
• Demonstrated experience managing licensing activities: Site Master File updates, MIA/IMP license maintenance, HPRA notifications, and market‑specific accreditation submissions.
• Experience designing and implementing regulatory tracking and knowledge‑management systems that improve team performance, visibility, and business continuity.
• Ability to manage high volumes of concurrent regulatory activities — ancillary document requests, RTQs, change controls, SMF updates — to demanding timelines without compromising quality.
• In‑depth knowledge of global regulatory frameworks: EMA, FDA, ICH guidelines, and Irish national requirements (HPRA).
• Strong understanding of GMP requirements as they apply to regulatory compliance, change control classification, and quality systems.
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical product development, validation, stability, and batch‑release processes and their regulatory implications.
• Proficiency in regulatory document management systems and electronic tracking tools.

The 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 South East region and attracts high performing talent through close collaborations with universities and colleges in the region.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together.

Location

Location(s): Carlow

Employer

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC.

Employee Status: Regular Relocation: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s): Job Posting End Date: 11/6/2026 *A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.

Required Skills

• Analytical Method Development
• Analytical Method Development
• Audit Readiness
• Change Controls
• Compliance Activities
• Compliance Monitoring
• Compliance Reporting
• Customer‑Focused
• Detail‑Oriented
• Document Management
• Gas Chromatography (GC)
• GMP Auditing
• GMP Laboratory
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• IQ OQ PQ
• Laboratory Instrumentation
• Legal Compliance
• Major Capital Projects
• Policy Compliance
• Procedure Adherence
• Quality Compliance
• Quality Engineering
• Quality Improvement Programs
• Quality Process Development
• Regulatory Audits {+ 9 more}