Supplier Quality Expert / Auditor

Gr?nenthal GmbH; Lisboa; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Referral bonus

Job summary

Grünenthal GmbH in Portugal seeks a senior Quality Lead to oversee supplier products and GMP compliance across global networks. You’ll interface with VSOT, ESO, and CMC teams to drive continuous improvement and risk mitigation in quality systems.

You’ll plan and conduct supplier audits, lead CAPA actions, and manage critical supplier relationships while ensuring regulatory alignment and product quality across the supply chain.

Qualifications

• University degree, preferably in Chemistry, Pharmacy or Engineering and have gained relevant practical experience in production or quality control or quality assurance within pharmaceutical industry.
• At least 4 years broad experience in Pharmaceutical Industry.
• Auditing experience, incl. excellent working knowledge of international GxPs for the manufacture, control and distribution of commercial product and clinical trial materials.
• Extensive knowledge of international authority regulations (e.g., PICs, ICH, and FDA) including applicable ISO norms. Additional knowledge of R+D requirements are of advantage.
• Knowledge of elements and requirements in Pharmaceutical Quality Systems.
• Knowledge of the principles of solid, semi-solid and liquids dosage manufacturing processes (tablets, capsules, gels, creams, ointments), experience with aseptic manufacture would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of QC and Stability chemical analytical testing techniques.
• Familiar with the regulatory requirements for validation activities as applied to manufacturing and packaging processes, analytical methods, cleaning procedures, computerised systems.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of cGMP, regulatory requirements and ICH guidelines.
• Show deep understanding of end-to-end supply chains and proactively assesses the potential impact of quality issues on supply continuity and product availability.
• Exhibit good negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.Manage multiple CMOs, projects and priorities independently and effectively within a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain an analytical mindset and critical thinking skills, with attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities.
• Approach conflict and high-pressure situations with calm and organization; demonstrate confidence and openness in international and intercultural teamwork.
• Be willing to travel up to 40% for supplier visits and audits.
• Project Management skills and a well-structured approach of organizing processes. Result-oriented, reliable and discrete.
• Advanced in Quality System Applications and digital tools e.g. SAP, MasterControl, Microsoft Power BI.

Responsibilities

• What the job looks like: Each day, you’ll enjoy a variety of challenges, such as:
• Ensure E2Equality oversight of supplier products portfolio and associated supply chains, including project management, ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), regulatory requirements and internal Grünenthal standards.
• Act as interface partner with other global and local strategic departments and business units, such as the Virtual Site Operations Team (VSOT), including External Supply Operations (ESO), Supply Chain, Procurement, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC), Internal Manufacturing Quality (IMQ), Commercial Quality Assurance (CQA) and other internal stakeholders to support product lifecycle activities and CMO management;
• Ensure that suppliers continue to develop and implement best practices that emphasize prevention and provide for continuous improvements to meet quality standards.
• Overview of the GMP supplier network of the Grünenthal affiliates and/or Grünthal sites.
• Oversight of the Supplier Performance Management Program. Gain quality oversight by monitoring, reporting and escalating supplier performance results.
• Support Grünthal global audit program by planning, preparing and conducting audits of external suppliers, including onsite, postal and remote audits.
• Lead Quality oversight of supplier products portfolio and associated supply chains, including project management, ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), regulatory requirements and internal Grünthal standards. Activities include, but are not limited to:
• Technical Quality Agreements (TQAs): Prepare and maintain Technical Quality Agreements with suppliers, ensuring roles and responsibilities between parties are clearly defined;
• Change management: Ensure that all changes to GMP documents, processes, equipment and facilities are effectively managed through the supplier and Grünthal change control processes in order to maintain GMP and regulatory compliance;
• Deviation management: Review non-conformances (e.g. process deviations, out of specification/trend results) at supplier to ensure investigations accurately identify root causes, assess potential impact and define appropriate corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) within acceptable timelines;
• Complaints management: Ensure suppliers conduct proper investigations of complaints and manage product complaints within Grünthal QMS;
• Batch records: Confirm appropriate level of CMO batch record reviews are conducted at suppliers and within Grünthal (as necessary);
• Validations and qualifications: Review and approve CMO validation protocols and reports during technical transfers and process change activities as required as per TQA in place;
• Stability: Ensure CMO stability programs are established and implemented by suppliers in compliance with cGMP and regulatory requirements, including regular reporting, trend analysis and investigation of out-of-specification results as needed;
• Product Quality Reviews: Confirm PQRs are completed by suppliers (whenever applicable), trends are identified and corrective/preventive actions are implemented;
• Supplier Performance Tracking: Monitor suppliers performance using KPIs and quality metrics, driving continuous improvement initiatives and supplier development initiatives as needed;
• Audit/Inspection readiness: Assist CMOs in preparing for audits and inspections, and represent Grünthal during regulatory inspections as needed;
• Quality Visits: Perform visits to suppliers to assess GMP compliance, support resolution of quality issues and engage in discussions on ongoing quality topics and performance improvement;
• Recall: Participate in the review and recall of defective product, as necessary, in order to minimize patient risk.
• Collaborate, whenever applicable, cross-functionally within the Virtual Site Operations Team (VSOT), including External Supply Operations (ESO), Supply Chain, Procurement, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC), Internal Manufacturing Quality (IMQ), Commercial Quality Assurance (CQA) and other internal stakeholders to support product lifecycle activities and CMO management;
• Contribute to the deployment, maintenance and continuous improvement of the ESQ processes;
• Participation to quality relevant projects and other improvement projects, aligned with ESQ Strategy;
• Participate in issue resolution, supplier development initiatives, quality-oriented business review, business review meetings and S&SOP meetings with suppliers.

Skills

Auditing experience

GxP knowledge

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Project management

Quality systems

cGMP understanding

End-to-end supply chain understanding

Stakeholder influence

Analytical mindset

Problem solving

International teamwork

Willing to travel 40%

Education

University degree in Chemistry/Pharmacy/Engineering

Tools

SAP

MasterControl

Microsoft Power BI

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Department: Global Operations & Production

Job ID: 45530

Job Grade: PT11F

Internal Posting Date: -

Referral Bonus: EUR 500.00

Professional | Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid

Our people in Manufacturing & Global Operations share two priorities: getting things done and making things better. If you’re a dynamic person with a positive mindset, you’ll fit in well here. It’s an international team with a powerful spirit of collaboration. Together, we make sure our products meet the highest standards of quality by constantly searching for ways to improve at every stage of our value chain – from the raw materials we buy through to the logistics network that brings our medicines to patients. Join our team and help us make an even bigger contribution to Grünenthal’s future.

What the job looks like:
Each day, you’ll enjoy a variety of challenges, such as:

• Ensure E2Equality oversight of supplier products portfolio and associated supply chains, including project management, ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), regulatory requirements and internal Grünenthal standards.
• Act as interface partner with other global and local strategic departments and business units, such as the Virtual Site Operations Team (VSOT), including External Supply Operations (ESO), Supply Chain, Procurement, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC), Internal Manufacturing Quality (IMQ), Commercial Quality Assurance (CQA) and other internal stakeholders to support product lifecycle activities and CMO management;
• Ensure that suppliers continue to develop and implement best practices that emphasize prevention and provide for continuous improvements to meet quality standards.
• Overview of the GMP supplier network of the Grünenthal affiliates and/or Grünthal sites.
• Oversight of the Supplier Performance Management Program. Gain quality oversight by monitoring, reporting and escalating supplier performance results.
• Support Grünthal global audit program by planning, preparing and conducting audits of external suppliers, including onsite, postal and remote audits.
• Lead Quality oversight of supplier products portfolio and associated supply chains, including project management, ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), regulatory requirements and internal Grünthal standards. Activities include, but are not limited to:
  • Technical Quality Agreements (TQAs): Prepare and maintain Technical Quality Agreements with suppliers, ensuring roles and responsibilities between parties are clearly defined;
  • Change management: Ensure that all changes to GMP documents, processes, equipment and facilities are effectively managed through the supplier and Grünthal change control processes in order to maintain GMP and regulatory compliance;
  • Deviation management: Review non-conformances (e.g. process deviations, out of specification/trend results) at supplier to ensure investigations accurately identify root causes, assess potential impact and define appropriate corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) within acceptable timelines;
  • Complaints management: Ensure suppliers conduct proper investigations of complaints and manage product complaints within Grünthal QMS;
  • Batch records: Confirm appropriate level of CMO batch record reviews are conducted at suppliers and within Grünthal (as necessary);
  • Validations and qualifications: Review and approve CMO validation protocols and reports during technical transfers and process change activities as required as per TQA in place;
  • Stability: Ensure CMO stability programs are established and implemented by suppliers in compliance with cGMP and regulatory requirements, including regular reporting, trend analysis and investigation of out-of-specification results as needed;
  • Product Quality Reviews: Confirm PQRs are completed by suppliers (whenever applicable), trends are identified and corrective/preventive actions are implemented;
  • Supplier Performance Tracking: Monitor suppliers performance using KPIs and quality metrics, driving continuous improvement initiatives and supplier development initiatives as needed;
  • Audit/Inspection readiness: Assist CMOs in preparing for audits and inspections, and represent Grünthal during regulatory inspections as needed;
  • Quality Visits: Perform visits to suppliers to assess GMP compliance, support resolution of quality issues and engage in discussions on ongoing quality topics and performance improvement;
  • Recall: Participate in the review and recall of defective product, as necessary, in order to minimize patient risk.
• Collaborate, whenever applicable, cross-functionally within the Virtual Site Operations Team (VSOT), including External Supply Operations (ESO), Supply Chain, Procurement, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC), Internal Manufacturing Quality (IMQ), Commercial Quality Assurance (CQA) and other internal stakeholders to support product lifecycle activities and CMO management;
• Contribute to the deployment, maintenance and continuous improvement of the ESQ processes;
• Participation to quality relevant projects and other improvement projects, aligned with ESQ Strategy;
• Participate in issue resolution, supplier development initiatives, quality-oriented business review, business review meetings and S&OP meetings with suppliers.

What you’ll bring to the table:
To make the most of this role and truly thrive, you should have:

• University degree, preferably in Chemistry, Pharmacy or Engineering and have gained relevant practical experience in production or quality control or quality assurance within pharmaceutical industry.
• At least 4 years broad experience in Pharmaceutical Industry.
• Auditing experience, incl. excellent working knowledge of international GxPs for the manufacture, control and distribution of commercial product and clinical trial materials.
• Extensive knowledge of international authority regulations (e.g., PICs, ICH, and FDA) including applicable ISO norms. Additional knowledge of R+D requirements are of advantage.
• Knowledge of elements and requirements in Pharmaceutical Quality Systems.
• Knowledge of the principles of solid, semi-solid and liquids dosage manufacturing processes (tablets, capsules, gels, creams, ointments), experience with aseptic manufacture would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of QC and Stability chemical analytical testing techniques.
• Familiar with the regulatory requirements for validation activities as applied to manufacturing and packaging processes, analytical methods, cleaning procedures, computerised systems.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of cGMP, regulatory requirements and ICH guidelines.
• Show deep understanding of end-to-end supply chains and proactively assesses the potential impact of quality issues on supply continuity and product availability.
• Exhibit good negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.Manage multiple CMOs, projects and priorities independently and effectively within a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain an analytical mindset and critical thinking skills, with attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities.
• Approach conflict and high-pressure situations with calm and organization; demonstrate confidence and openness in international and intercultural teamwork.
• Be willing to travel up to 40% for supplier visits and audits.
• Project Management skills and a well-structured approach of organizing processes. Result-oriented, reliable and discrete.
• Advanced in Quality System Applications and digital tools e.g. SAP, MasterControl, Microsoft Power BI.

______________________________________

Liliana Marques , the Hiring Manager

Grünenthal is a global leader in pain management and related diseases. As a science-based, privately-owned pharmaceutical company, we have a long track record of bringing innovative treatments and state-of-the‑art technologies to patients worldwide. Our purpose is to change lives for the better – and innovation is our passion. We are focussing all of our activities and efforts on working towards our vision of a world free of pain.

Grünenthal is headquartered in Aachen, Germany, and has affiliates in 28 countries across Europe, Latin America and the US. Our products are available in more than 100 countries. In 2024, Grünenthal employed around 4,300 people and achieved sales of € 1.8 billion.