Chief Quality Assurance Leader - Pharma GMP & Compliance

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 2,500,000 - 4,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus

Top-tier medical aid

Provident fund

Life assurance

Executive leadership training

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria seeks a Head of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance to lead the company’s quality systems, ensuring GMP/GDP compliance from raw materials to finished product release. This executive role drives continuous quality improvement across operations.

The position requires 10–15 years in pharmaceutical QA/QC, with at least 5 years in leadership, and advanced degrees in life sciences. Proven ability to lead regulatory inspections and complex audits is essential.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biotechnology, or a related life science field.
• 10-15 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Quality Control, with 5+ years in a leadership role.
• GMP, GDP, and regulatory guidelines (FDA, EMA, SAHPRA) knowledge and practical application.
• Experience managing regulatory inspections and successful audits.
• Strong leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage the company's overall Quality Assurance strategy and systems.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements, including GMP, GDP, and local health authority regulations.
• Oversee all quality-related activities, including batch record review, release, deviation management, CAPA, change control, and internal/external audits.
• Lead and mentor the Quality Assurance team, fostering a culture of quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and implement strategies to achieve quality objectives.
• Manage regulatory inspections and customer audits, ensuring successful outcomes.
• Develop and deliver quality training programs for all relevant personnel.
• Oversee qualification and validation of equipment, processes, and analytical methods.
• Collaborate with R&D, Production, and Supply Chain to embed quality throughout the product lifecycle.
• Stay abreast of evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Quality systems

GMP/GDP

Regulatory compliance

Audits

Strategic thinking

Communication

Risk management

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Pharmacy/ Chemistry/ Biotechnology

Job description

Placements24 in Pretoria seeks a Head of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance to lead the company’s quality systems, ensuring GMP/GDP compliance from raw materials to finished product release. This executive role drives continuous quality improvement across operations.

The position requires 10–15 years in pharmaceutical QA/QC, with at least 5 years in leadership, and advanced degrees in life sciences. Proven ability to lead regulatory inspections and complex audits is essential.