Manager Quality Control

Abbott Laboratories; Zwolle; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Employee stock purchase

Flexible working conditions

Learning & development

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Abbott Nutrition Zwolle is seeking a Manager Quality Control to lead our Quality Control organization and drive excellence in quality, compliance and continuous improvement at a major nutrition manufacturing site.

You will develop and execute the QC strategy, ensure compliance with global quality standards, and guide a team of quality professionals through materials to finished goods.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Quality Control/QA within a regulated industry.
• Proven leadership and people development experience.
• Strong knowledge of GMP and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Quality Control strategy aligned with global standards and site objectives.
• Oversee QC activities for incoming materials, in-process testing, environmental monitoring, and finished product testing.

Skills

Quality leadership

GMP/regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

English/Dutch communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Life Sciences/related

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION: Come and join us as a: Manager Quality Control Lead Quality Excellence at Abbott Nutrition Zwolle Are you an experienced quality leader who thrives in a highly regulated manufacturing environment? Do you want to play a key role in ensuring the quality and safety of nutritional products that improve lives worldwide? Abbott Nutrition in Zwolle is looking for a Manager Quality Control to lead our Quality Control organization and drive excellence in quality, compliance, and continuous improvement at one of Abbott's largest nutrition manufacturing sites. The Opportunity As Manager Quality Control, you will be responsible for developing and executing the quality control strategy, ensuring compliance with global quality standards and regulatory requirements, and leading a team of quality professionals. In this highly visible leadership role, you will work closely with Operations, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Engineering, and external regulatory authorities to safeguard product quality from incoming materials through to finished goods. Reporting directly to the Plant QA Director, you will have a significant impact on site performance, product release decisions, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

What You'll Do

Quality Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement the Quality Control strategy in line with Abbott's global quality standards and business objectives.
• Translate strategic goals into operational plans, priorities, and budgets.
• Drive a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Act as a key decision-maker for quality-related matters across the site.

Quality Control Operations

• Oversee all QC activities related to incoming materials, in-process testing, environmental monitoring, and finished product testing.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant product and material release processes.
• Monitor laboratory performance and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead investigations related to non-conformances, deviations, OOS results, and customer complaints.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with GMP requirements, Abbott quality standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support inspections, audits, and interactions with regulatory authorities.
• Lead supplier quality assessments and quality-related audits.
• Ensure quality systems remain inspection‑ready at all times.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing Quality Control team.
• Drive employee engagement, performance management, and talent development.
• Promote a collaborative culture focused on innovation, learning, and operational excellence.
• Build strong partnerships across the site and within Abbott's global quality network.

What You'll Bring

Education

• Education Bachelor's or Master's degree in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacy, Food Technology, or a related scientific discipline.

Experience

• Experience Significant experience in Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Laboratory Management, or a related quality function within a regulated industry.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing teams.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, nutrition, food, medical device, biotech, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinking and strong business acumen.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to balance operational priorities with long-term objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Effective communication skills in both Dutch and English.
• A collaborative leadership style with a focus on people development and results.

Why Abbott?

At Abbott, you'll do work that matters. Every day, our products help people live healthier lives. At our Zwolle Nutrition facility, we manufacture trusted nutritional brands that support children, adults, and patients around the world. We offer an environment where you can grow professionally, make a meaningful impact, and collaborate with talented colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

What We Offer

• A senior leadership role within a global healthcare organization.
• Opportunities to make a direct impact on product quality and patient safety.
• Excellent employment conditions and flexibility where possible.
• Extensive learning and development opportunities.
• A personal growth plan and long-term career prospects.
• A contribution towards student loan repayment (subject to conditions).
• Lifestyle and wellbeing programs, including coaching, sports allowance, yoga, and chair massages.
• An attractive pension scheme.
• Employee stock purchase opportunities.
• Access to employee networks and recognition programs.
• Financial planning support.
• A collaborative, international, and purpose-driven work environment.

About Abbott Nutrition Zwolle

Abbott Nutrition develops science-based nutritional products that support people through every stage of life. Our Zwolle manufacturing facility produces leading nutritional brands such as Ensure, PediaSure, and Isomil, helping millions of people globally maintain and improve their health.

The base pay for this position is N/A In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY: Operations Quality DIVISION: ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain LOCATION: Netherlands > Zwolle : Building 1 ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Not specified MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday)

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next‑generation diagnostics, life‑changing devices, science‑based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well‑being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings.

An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.

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