Deviation Investigator

TechDigital Group; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Deviation Investigator to join their Manufacturing Sciences and Technology team. This pivotal role involves overseeing deviation records and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in GMP compliance and FDA/EMA regulations, along with excellent communication and analytical skills. You will collaborate cross-functionally to investigate deviations, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. If you are passionate about quality and have a proactive approach to problem-solving, this opportunity is perfect for you to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of cGMP experience in biotech or cellular therapy preferred.
• 2+ years managing deviation and CAPA records required.

Responsibilities

• Manage deviations to achieve right first time and on-time phase completion.
• Lead investigations and facilitate CAPA definition and implementation.

Skills

GMP compliance

FDA/EMA regulations

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering

Tools

Electronic quality record management system

Job description

Job #: 2255
Pay Rate: Not Specified
Job type: contractor
Location: Bothell, WA

The MSAT (Manufacturing Sciences and Technology) team is responsible for overseeing and supporting the management of deviation records through the electronic quality record management system at the Juno Manufacturing Plant (Jump) located in Bothell, WA. The Deviation Investigator on the MSAT team is an individual contributor role responsible for investigating No Impact, Minor, Major, and Critical deviations to determine root cause, corrective actions, ensuring the written report contains the technical merit and completeness according to regulatory expectations. This position will be responsible for operating cross-functionally, collecting necessary data and information associated with the manufacturing and laboratory investigations and determine the associated corrective action to prevent the deviation from reoccurring.

This person will be a key player in the Jump MSAT team and a champion for quality priority principles and compliance within the Jump organization.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Minimum of Bachelor's degree in relevant Science or Engineering discipline and/or equivalent combination of work experience is required.
2. 5+ years of relevant cGMP experience. Experience in FDA/EMA regulation in the biotechnology and/or cellular therapy field is preferred.
3. Minimum of 2 years working within quality systems managing deviation and CAPA records.
4. Experience authoring deviation and CAPA records.
5. Demonstrated proficiency in selection of team and effectively managing personnel issues is highly desired. Proven ability to demonstrate attention to detail, personal and team accountability where it is critical to success.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Expertise in GMP compliance and FDA/EMA regulations.
2. Demonstrate excellence in written and verbal communication.
3. Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and to develop and maintain strong business partner relationships.
4. Innovative, proactive, and resourceful; committed to quality and continuous improvement.
5. Ability to anticipate and mitigate challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Actively manages deviations to achieve RFT (right first time) and on-time phase completion, including deviation closure by the original due date.
2. Immediately upon assignment of an investigation, partners with their investigation team (QA Reviewer/ Approver, SMEs [subject matter experts], and necessary stakeholders) on definition and alignment of the investigation plan, required data, and timing for completion. Continues to partner with investigation team throughout the investigation process to ensure agreement / alignment on root cause and CAPA.
3. When CAPA are needed, facilitates the investigation / CAPA team to define objectives, deliverables, ownership, due dates, and effectiveness requirements.
4. Ensures smooth transition of the defined CAPA to the owning department SME and ensures the CAPA progresses to implementation timely to ensure on-time deviation closure.
5. Owns and investigates department-specific trend deviations. Leads investigation team to perform deep-dive analysis of department-specific trends, including to:
1. Assess trend details to ensure accuracy and alignment across the team.
2. Facilitate in-depth root cause analysis to determine additional process and system failure modes.
3. Evaluate previous root causes and CAPA (in-progress or implemented) identified to lessen the trend.
4. Determine if previous identified CAPA are sufficient to reduce the trend by defined targets.
6. Leads GEMBAs and interviews the people closest to the work to identify failure modes and seek further understanding of the deviations.
7. Applies HOP (Human and Organizational Performance) principles to investigations.
8. Uses both soft-skills and technical skills to drive the deviation and CAPA processes:
1. Demonstrates good teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills with all internal and external customers.
2. Seeks to understand, demonstrates humility, and shows curiosity for learning.
3. Completes deviations that are thorough, accurate, and complete.
4. Understands the overall deviation and CAPA processes including all phases of the records and proper content for each phase.
5. Understands appropriate assignment of classifications and requirements for each.
6. Understands the importance and impact of lot association within deviations and the relation to product disposition.
7. Captures the necessary data to support containment activities and impact assessment.
8. Attaches all necessary supporting evidence to the electronic deviation and ensures all attachments have been referenced in the record.
9. Performs investigations and root cause analyses that are commensurate to the event being investigated.
10. Understands multiple RCA tools and when, where, and how to apply them.
11. Utilizes good technical writing skills.
12. Contacts vendor as needed to complete investigations in a timely manner.
13. May participate on deviation governance teams, projects, and other initiatives.