Pharmaceutical QA Director

Eliquent Life Sciences, Inc; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

ELIQUENT Life Sciences, Inc. is actively seeking a Pharmaceutical QA Director to drive quality, compliance, and continuous improvement across manufacturing and drug research activities. You will lead the QA department, ensure adherence to cGMP, and serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies.

The role emphasizes cross-functional leadership, risk-based decision making, and ongoing audits to safeguard product quality and patient safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related scientific discipline.
• 10+ years in pharmaceutical quality assurance, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Leadership in QA, QC, microbiology QA, and process QA within a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations, cGMP guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing drug research quality and regulatory inspections.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Quality Assurance department, providing strategic direction and fostering a culture of quality and compliance.
• Oversee quality control and quality assurance processes, including microbiology and process quality assurance activities, to ensure adherence to cGMP and other regulatory standards.
• Manage and support drug research project quality requirements, ensuring that all phases of development comply with internal and external quality standards.
• Coordinate and prepare for regulatory inspections and audits, addressing any findings with effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, research, and regulatory teams to develop and implement quality systems, policies, and procedures that support continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Quality assurance

Microbiology QA

Process QA

FDA/cGMP knowledge

Regulatory inspections

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related science

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred

Tools

eQMS

Regulatory databases

Job description

Job Description

About Company

Who Are We?

ELIQUENT Life Sciences is a leading global consulting group delivering regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, quality, and compliance solutions that support pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and combination product companies across therapeutic modalities, phase-based pathways, and major global markets.

Why explore your future at ELIQUENT?

ELIQUENT Life Sciences is a trusted global consulting firm helping life sciences companies navigate regulatory complexity and bring breakthrough therapies to market. Founded by former regulators and industry experts, we offer end-to-end support in regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, and quality compliance. Our team is driven by a shared mission to improve global health through innovation, collaboration, and integrity. At ELIQUENT, you will be part of a purpose-led organization where your expertise contributes to meaningful impact and your growth is supported every step of the way.

About the Role

The Pharmaceutical QA Director plays a critical leadership role in ensuring the highest standards of quality and compliance within pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. This position is responsible for overseeing all quality assurance activities, including departmental leadership, quality control, and process validation, to guarantee that products meet regulatory requirements and internal standards. The director will lead cross-functional teams to implement and maintain robust quality systems that support drug research projects and manufacturing processes. They will also serve as a key liaison with regulatory agencies, ensuring timely and successful audits and inspections. Ultimately, this role drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, patient safety, and operational efficiency across the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical quality assurance, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated expertise in departmental leadership, quality control, microbiology quality assurance, and process quality assurance within a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations, cGMP guidelines, and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience managing drug research project quality and successfully leading regulatory inspections.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant scientific field.
• Certification in Quality Assurance (e.g., ASQ Certified Quality Auditor or Quality Manager).
• Experience with global regulatory agencies such as EMA, PMDA, or Health Canada.
• Familiarity with electronic quality management systems (eQMS) and data integrity principles.
• Track record of implementing Lean or Six Sigma methodologies in quality assurance processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Quality Assurance department, providing strategic direction and fostering a culture of quality and compliance.
• Oversee quality control and quality assurance processes, including microbiology and process quality assurance activities, to ensure adherence to cGMP and other regulatory standards.
• Manage and support drug research project quality requirements, ensuring that all phases of development comply with internal and external quality standards.
• Coordinate and prepare for regulatory inspections and audits, addressing any findings with effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, research, and regulatory teams to develop and implement quality systems, policies, and procedures that support continuous improvement.

Skills

The required skills are integral to the daily responsibilities of the Pharmaceutical QA Director. Departmental leadership skills enable the director to effectively manage and inspire quality teams, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Drug research project management skills are essential for overseeing quality aspects throughout the drug development lifecycle, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation. Quality control and microbiology quality assurance skills are applied to monitor and validate manufacturing processes, guaranteeing product safety and efficacy. Process quality assurance expertise supports the continuous evaluation and improvement of production workflows, while preferred skills such as regulatory knowledge and quality certifications enhance the director’s ability to navigate complex compliance landscapes and drive operational excellence.