Senior Quality Operations Specialist

McKesson’s Corporate; Shepherdsville (KY); On-site; USD 98,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

McKesson is seeking a Senior Quality Operations Specialist for the US Pharmaceutical Distribution Quality Team. The role provides quality guidance to Operations, drives continuous improvement, and ensures QMS effectiveness across the network with cGMP expertise.

Reporting to the Director of Operations Quality, the position emphasizes investigation quality, documentation rigor, and cross‑functional collaboration in a matrixed environment, onsite at the Clermont DC.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in pharmaceutical/medical device quality or regulated distribution environments.
• Knowledge of FDA regulations (21 CFR) and DSCSA.
• Experience in CAPA development, investigations, and quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as quality liaison to Operations at Clermont DC.
• Lead/coach investigations, root-cause analysis, and CAPA development.
• Ensure DSCSA compliance and Quality Management System effectiveness.
• Prepare for audits/inspections and support regulatory activities.

Skills

Pharma quality

cGMP knowledge

Matrixed collaboration

Regulatory interpretation

Quality investigations

Documentation accuracy

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in scientific/quality field

Tools

TrackWise

MasterControl

Job description

McKesson is an impact-driven, Fortune 10 company that touches virtually every aspect of healthcare. We are known for delivering insights, products, and services that make quality care more accessible and affordable. Here, we focus on the health, happiness, and well‑being of you and those we serve – we care. What you do at McKesson matters. We foster a culture where you can grow, make an impact, and are empowered to bring new ideas. Together, we thrive as we shape the future of health for patients, our communities, and our people.

Senior Quality Operations Specialist

The Senior Quality Operations Specialist will serve as an individual contributor within the U.S. Pharmaceutical Distribution (USPD) Quality Team, providing quality and technical guidance to Operations. Reporting to the Director of Operations Quality, this role operates as a key contributor, independently and through project teams, to employ their knowledge and expertise to embed quality culture, reduce compliance risk, identify efficiencies, drive continuous improvement activities, and achieve business results. This role will ensure that processes, procedures, people, analytics and technology are being leveraged to maximize quality processes and compliance across the network. The Senior Quality Operations Specialist provides direction during high‑risk and critical events that may have potential impact to product by applying their experience and judgement within defined policies. This individual will also influence investigation quality standards, documentation rigor, and work prioritization to promote consistent application of internal procedures and applicable regulatory requirements. In addition, the Senior Quality Operations Specialist supports the Director Operations Quality in maintaining the effectiveness of USPD’s Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with internal policies and applicable laws and regulations, including preparedness for emerging regulatory and operational changes. This role serves as an onsite technical resource to operational colleagues and cross‑functional partners without formal people‑management responsibility. Success in this role requires demonstrated expertise in regulated pharmaceutical distribution, ability to apply cGMP concepts (as appropriate) to varying types of supply chain operations, strong analytical judgment, and effective collaboration across multiple internal and external stakeholders in a highly matrixed environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Quality Support and Collaboration

• Serve as the primary Quality liaison to Operations at the Clermont DC
• Maintain a regular onsite presence to foster a culture of quality, compliance and collaboration
• Partner with cross‑functional stakeholders to address operational quality needs and risks
• Promptly elevate critical events while planning the investigative approach based on event risk, urgency, resource availability, and potential business impact
• Oversee critical investigation execution, coordinating cross‑functional input as needed to support timely and effective resolution

Quality System Execution and Oversight

• Drive expectations for quality at the Distribution Center (DC) including, but not limited to:
• Create, review and/or edit Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions (WIs) to enhance operational efficiency and compliance with corporate policies and regulations
• Ensure operational compliance with DSCSA and implementation of National Standards
• Supports the administration and completion of operational investigations, while coaching teams on root cause analysis tools, and the appropriate development and implementation of CAPAs to ensure regulatory defensibility.
• Translates investigation data, trends, and business drivers into actionable recommendations that improve investigation outcomes and inspection readiness
• Identifies operational pain points and emerging risks and translates them into system or procedural improvements while maintaining operational efficiency

Technical Resource Role

• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the following areas: Documentation Management / Version Control / Good Documentation Practices
• Change Control
• Investigations / Root Cause Analysis
• Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs)
• Regulatory Inspection Management
• Validation
• Electronic Quality Management Systems (e.g. TrackWise and MasterControl)
• Data Integrity
• Quality Leadership, Coaching & Knowledge Development

Partners with the site Director of Operations to support training delivery to enhance Operations’ understanding and application of Quality principles and requirements. Acts as a technical and process expert for less‑experienced colleagues, providing guidance during critical events, and offering direction as appropriate without formal people‑management responsibility

Audit and Inspection Readiness

• Support Operations to ensure continuous audit and inspection readiness
• Assist with inspection preparation activities and post‑inspection responses as assigned
• Participate in and support regulatory inspections, supplier/customer audits, and internal assessments as needed

NOTE: This is not an all-inclusive list. Other duties may be required based on business need.

Minimum Requirement

Degree or equivalent and typically requires 7+ years of relevant experience.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, technical, or quality‑related field. Advanced degree preferred.

Critical Skills

• 7+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical / medical device quality, or regulated distribution environments.
• Knowledge of cGMPs and Good Distribution Practices with a minimum of 3 years in a Quality Assurance role.
• Experience working in a large, matrixed organization with cross‑functional exposure to Quality, Operations, Compliance, Technology, and external partners.
• Ability to conduct complex initiatives in a self‑directed manner, with minimal oversight, and to deliver superior results in a timely manner.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate and influence a broad spectrum of business segment personnel and senior management.
• A superior level of professionalism to work effectively with internal and external personnel.
• Excellent decision making and judgment capability.
• Ability to influence without formal authority.
• Ability to follow established procedures and instructions.

Specialized Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of FDA regulations and requirements applicable to pharmaceutical distribution, including the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR), Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), and industry standards for temperature excursion management (e.g., USP <659>, USP <1079>).
• Experience working in pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing.
• Demonstrates analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills, including interpretation of data and regulatory standards to support sound and regulatory‑defensible conclusions.
• Experience contributing to CAPA development and execution, quality system enhancements, inspection readiness activities, and execution of regulatory‑aligned investigation and documentation practices.
• Practical expertise working within an electronic Quality Management System (eQMS), including supporting investigation workflows, documentation standards, user enablement, and data integrity.
• Excellent prioritization skills to manage complex investigations and quality initiatives within a regulated environment.
• Working Conditions Environment (Office, warehouse, etc.) Routine onsite presence required in an office and distribution center environment.

Physical Requirements

• General office requirements, including extended periods of computer and keyboard use.
• Access to warehouse environment and activities as needed.
• Ability to attend virtual meetings and training sessions.
• Ability to work in refrigerated environments for short periods of time to support quality activities.

Benefits

We are proud to offer a competitive compensation package at McKesson as part of our Total Rewards. This is determined by several factors, including performance, experience and skills, equity, regular job market evaluations, and geographical markets. The pay range shown below is aligned with McKesson's pay philosophy, and pay will always be compliant with any applicable regulations. In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long‑term incentive opportunities may be offered.

Our Base Pay Range for this position $98,300 - $163,900

McKesson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. McKesson provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other legally protected category.

For additional information on McKesson’s full Equal Employment Opportunity policies, visit our Equal Employment Opportunity page.

McKesson is committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers including job seekers with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please contact us by sending an email to (United States) [e-mail] or (Canada) [e-mail]. Resumes or CVs submitted to this email box will not be accepted.