Remote Principal QA Specialist – Pharma, Audits & QMS

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Quality Assurance Specialist to lead quality initiatives for a pharmaceutical client operating remotely with occasional site visits to Randburg, Gauteng. This senior role focuses on building and sustaining a robust QMS, driving audits, and assuring regulatory compliance across global guidelines.

The ideal candidate brings 10–12+ years in pharma QA/QC, strong CAPA expertise, and exceptional communication skills to influence a quality culture in a remote-first

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology, or related field.
• 10–12+ years of progressive experience in Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
• Deep knowledge of cGMP, GDP, FDA/EMA/SAHPRA guidelines.
• Proven experience with audits and CAPA systems.
• Strong communication and leadership in remote settings.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the Quality Management System (QMS) for pharmaceutical operations.
• Lead internal audits and external audits of suppliers, contract manufacturers, and partners.
• Review and approve SOPs, validation protocols, batch records, and change controls.
• Investigate deviations, non-conformances, and customer complaints, implementing CAPAs.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP, ICH guidelines, and all applicable regulations.
• Provide training on quality assurance principles to internal teams.
• Participate in regulatory inspections and manage responses to authorities.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality.
• Monitor and report on quality metrics to senior management.
• Contribute to risk assessment and management for products and processes.
• Travel to Randburg, Gauteng facilities as needed.

Skills

Audits

QA Leadership

Regulatory Knowledge

CAPA process

Documentation Review

Analytical Thinking

Remote Team Influence

Problem Solving

Education

Pharmacy degree

Science degree

Tools

eQMS software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Quality Assurance Specialist to lead quality initiatives for a pharmaceutical client operating remotely with occasional site visits to Randburg, Gauteng. This senior role focuses on building and sustaining a robust QMS, driving audits, and assuring regulatory compliance across global guidelines.

The ideal candidate brings 10–12+ years in pharma QA/QC, strong CAPA expertise, and exceptional communication skills to influence a quality culture in a remote-first