Sr. Vendor Quality Auditor, Supplier Quality

Dendreon Pharmaceuticals; Seal Beach (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Dendreon Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Sr. Vendor Quality Auditor, Supplier Quality in Seal Beach, CA to oversee supplier quality for external partners including CMOs/CTOs. The role leads audits, evaluates supplier risk, and ensures compliance with FDA, EU, and ICH standards.

You will collaborate with Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, and Supply Chain to strengthen the supplier network and support regulatory inspections. Travel 30–50% is anticipated.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a scientific discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 8 years in Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality, Compliance, or Quality Systems in regulated environments.
• Minimum 5 years leading GxP supplier audits.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, ICH, EU GMP and GxP principles.

Responsibilities

• Represent Supplier Quality for assigned suppliers and external partners.
• Lead domestic and international supplier audits from planning to follow-up.
• Prepare clear, risk-based audit reports and communicate findings.
• Manage supplier CAPAs and verify effectiveness.
• Conduct supplier qualification and periodic risk assessments.

Skills

Auditing

GxP compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, or related scientific discipline

Master's degree in a scientific discipline

ASQ CQA or ISO Lead Auditor

Tools

MasterControl eQMS

MS Office

Job description

Sr. Vendor Quality Auditor, Supplier Quality

Seal Beach, California, United States

WHO WE ARE

At Dendreon,we’retransforming the battle against cancer with personalized immunotherapy. Our flagship product,PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T), was the first FDA-approved immunotherapy for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer,utilizinga patient’s own immune cells to fight the disease.

If you’re driven by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on cancer patients’ lives, we invite you to join our team. With Immunotherapy Manufacturing Facilities in Seal Beach, CA, and Union City, GA, a talented team of scientific, clinical, regulatory, and corporate professionals based in Seal Beach, and a commercial organization operating across the United States, Dendreon continues to advance innovation in personalized cancer treatment.

CORE VALUES

• Put Patients First:Every day is an opportunity to improve the lives of those living with cancer.
• Act with Integrity:We commit to transparency, honesty, and always doing what’s right.
• Build Trust:Trust is earned through candid, open communication and a collaborative approach.
• Raise the Bar:We embrace continuous improvement and innovation, always striving to elevate our people.
• Drive Results:We are accountable to each other and deliver success together.

Job Summary

The Senior Vendor Quality Auditor, Supplier Quality is responsible for overseeing the quality and compliance of Dendreon's external suppliers, Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), Contract Testing Organizations (CTOs), and service providers. This role leads supplier qualification and surveillance audit activities, assesses supplier performance and risk, manages supplier quality issues, and ensures compliance with applicable GxP regulations and Dendreon quality standards. The position serves as a key partner to Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, and other cross-functional teams to support a compliant and reliable supply network.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Supplier Quality representative for assigned suppliers, Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), Contract Testing Organizations (CTOs), and service providers.
• Lead and conduct domestic and international supplier audits, including qualification, surveillance, and for-cause audits, from planning through report issuance and follow-up.
• Prepare clear, risk-based audit reports and communicate audit observations, compliance risks, and recommended corrective actions.
• Manage supplier CAPAs, including evaluation of responses, verification of implementation, and effectiveness assessments.
• Perform supplier qualification and periodic risk assessments to establish appropriate oversight strategies.
• Review supplier change notifications, deviations, investigations, and quality events to determine impact on product quality, regulatory compliance, and business operations.
• Establish and maintain Quality Agreements with suppliers and external partners to ensure alignment with regulatory and corporate requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance through quality metrics, trends, and scorecards, recommending improvements when necessary.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, Technical Operations, and Quality teams to resolve supplier-related quality issues and mitigate risk.
• Maintain supplier qualification records, audit documentation, and related quality system documentation in a state of inspection readiness.
• Support regulatory inspections, customer audits, and internal audits by providing supplier quality documentation and subject matter expertise.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance supplier quality processes, audit effectiveness, and external partner oversight.
• Remain current on applicable FDA, EU, ICH, and global regulatory requirements related to supplier quality and auditing.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality, Compliance, or Quality Systems within a regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, biologics, cell therapy, or medical device environment.
• Minimum 5 years of experience conducting and leading GxP supplier audits.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations, ICH guidelines, EU GMP requirements, and GxP principles.
• Demonstrated experience managing supplier qualification, supplier performance monitoring, CAPAs, investigations, and Quality Agreements.
• Proven ability to assess compliance risks and implement effective corrective actions.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and responding to supplier-related observations.
• Strong verbal, written, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to travel approximately 30-50%, including domestic and international travel.

Preferred Experience & Education

• Master's degree in a scientific discipline.
• ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), ISO Lead Auditor, or equivalent certification.
• Experience auditing CMOs, CTOs, raw material suppliers, laboratories, and service providers supporting biologics, cell therapy, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Experience with electronic Quality Management Systems (eQMS), such as MasterControl.
• Knowledge of supplier quality risk management methodologies and supplier performance programs.
• Experience supporting global supplier networks and international regulatory requirements.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• This role operates in a standard office setting using standard office equipment.
• Role requires frequent use of video conferencing, standard office software, and digital collaboration tools.
• Must have the ability to lift 10-20 lbs.
• Must have the ability to work in an office environment around laboratories, manufacturing areas and equipment with exposure to blood, blood products or OPIM (other potentially infectious materials) while donning required personal protective materials.

Dendreon is an equal employment and affirmative action employer F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity. The preceding job description has been designated to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. Additional and incidental duties related to the primary duties may be required for company business needs from time to time.

CA Compensation Range

$117,375 - $153,370 USD