Associate Director, Quality Assurance

Merck; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Merck is seeking an Associate Director to lead regulatory inspections andHealth Authority reporting at the West Point site. You will oversee a team of compliance professionals, ensuring inspection readiness and robust regulatory oversight across QA operations.

Requirements include a BS/MS in a pharmaceutical field and extensive cGMP/regulatory experience. The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, CAPA management, and continuous improvement with strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience with quality systems expectations in biotech or vaccine industries.
• Expert knowledge of cGMP for biotech/vaccine sectors including local and international GMPs.
• Strong regulatory knowledge (21 CFR Part 11, Annex 11).
• Ability to work independently and collaborate in matrix organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the quality team for Regulatory Inspections and Health Authority reporting.
• Develop and implement comprehensive compliance programs ensuring inspection readiness.
• Coordinate with multiple departments to address compliance issues and implement CAPAs.
• Serve as liaison to Health Authorities and regulatory agencies.
• Oversee Health Authority reporting, market actions, and complaint handling.
• Provide training to employees on compliance matters and PIR.
• Drive continuous improvement and standardization across the site.

Skills

Change Management

CSV

Decision Making

Continuous Improvement

GMP Laboratory

People Leadership

PQ

Quality Auditing

Quality Documentation

Quality Standards

QMS

Quality Risk Management

Regulatory Compliance

Supplier Quality

Training & Development

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a pharmaceutical/biotech related field

Job description

Job Description

The West Point Quality organization ensures our products are manufactured, processed, tested, packaged, stored, and distributed aligned with our incredibly high standards of quality and meets all regulatory requirements.

The Associate Director, Inspections lead will be a core member of the West Point Quality Assurance Leadership Team and serves as a quality leader accountable for the quality oversight and management of the Quality team overseeing Regulatory Inspections and Health Authority reporting supporting the West Point Manufacturing and Quality Control laboratories. The position will be responsible to ensure site’s compliance with applicable regulations, industry standards and Quality Management Systems. The incumbent will be responsible for developing, implementing and leading a group of compliance professionals through the deployment of compliance programs, monitor compliance efforts and advise site senior management on compliance related matters. The role involves serving as the lead for regulatory agency inspection coordination and collaborating with other departments to address compliance issues. The responsibilities of this role will additionally include sustainment through continuous improvement of the organization at the site.

Primary Activities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Develop and implement comprehensive compliance program for the site to ensure Permanent Inspection Readiness (PIR), which includes Health Authority Reporting and inspection readiness team.
• Track and Interpret changes in regulations, industry standards and ensure proactive awareness and PIR at the site.
• Conduct regular compliance risk assessments, identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate the risks. Identify and address compliance issues, develop corrective action plans and implement improvements to compliance programs
• Act as a liaison and/or SME to present operational compliance to Health Authorities and regulatory agencies on relevant topics.
• Lead a team of professionals who serve as contact for regulatory agencies during inspections, responding to inspectional or regulatory agency inquiries, providing information and addressing compliance concerns.
• Serve as Manager to the lead for the team coordinating Health Authority reporting, Market action events, and complaint process management for the site.
• Provide training and guidance to employees on compliance related matters, ensuring a robust PIR at the site.
• Provide expertise in developing strategies for inspection readiness including working with Regulatory with relevant submissions for new product launches
• Skills in engaging and collaborating with various functional teams (e.g., Operations, Technology, Automation, Regulatory, Research).
• Ability to build relationships and work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Engage and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the site to drive simplification and standardization.

Required Experience, Skills, And Knowledge

• Applicable experience, strong understanding and knowledge of relevant quality systems expectations in the biotechnology or vaccine industry.
• Expert knowledge of cGMP relevant to the biotechnology or vaccine industry including knowledge of the local and international GMP regulations.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and guidelines (e.g. 21 CFR part 11, Annex 11).
• Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration in team settings and matrix organizations to achieve common goals.
• Highly skilled in listening to diverse perspectives, developing impactful solutions, and advocating for effective positions through influence.
• Strong working knowledge of Quality Management Systems, and associated business processes.
• Excellent communication, leadership, technical writing and problem-solving skills
• Ability to cultivate positive, transparent, and productive relationships across various stakeholders.
• A team player with high initiative, demonstrated planning skills, proven performance in problem-solving, team building and staff development.
• Experience in working with cross functional teams as well as good leadership skills in a matrix organization
• Experience in managing cross-functional initiatives or programs

Minimum Education Requirements And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (BS) or Master’s degree (MS) with Ten (10) years applied professional work experience in one of the following pharmaceutical work areas: quality assurance, compliance, manufacturing operations, technical operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading regulatory inspection readiness and Health Authority inspections in a pharmaceutical, biotech, or vaccine environment
• Strong knowledge of quality systems, compliance oversight, and CAPA management
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in a matrix environment
• Experience interacting with regulatory agencies and senior leadership
• Strong understanding of health authority reporting, complaint management, and market action processes
• Ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into practical site-level actions
• Proven leadership, coaching, and team development skills
• Excellent communication, influence, and relationship-building skills
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset
• Experience driving simplification, standardization, and process improvement across a site #EBRG's #VetJobs

Required Skills

Change Management, Computer System Validation (CSV), Decision Making, Driving Continuous Improvement, GMP Laboratory, People Leadership, Performance Qualification (PQ), Quality Auditing, Quality Control Documentation, Quality Management Standards, Quality Management Systems (QMS), Quality Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Supplier Quality Management, Training and Development

US And Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

Requirements

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is $142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

San Francisco Residents Only:

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only:

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A