At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global quality initiatives and influence critical decisions across diverse products.
- Company: Join a leading international pharmaceutical organisation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, professional development, and QP training support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to work across European markets.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile role with clear career progression.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in Quality Assurance, strong leadership, and GMP/GDP expertise.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Location: United Kingdom (Hybrid | Ideally 1 day per week onsite, flexible)
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
We're partnering with a leading international pharmaceutical organisation to appoint an experienced Associate Director, Global Product Quality. This is a highly visible leadership role within a growing global quality function, offering the opportunity to influence critical quality decisions across a diverse product portfolio and extensive European supply network. The successful candidate will play a key role in quality oversight, stakeholder management, operational excellence, and the continued development of quality systems across multiple regions.
What you'll be doing:
- Support senior quality leadership in maintaining and continuously improving global quality systems across GMP/GDP environments
- Act as a key decision-maker for complex quality matters including deviations, CAPAs, change controls, non-conformances and customer complaints
- Provide quality oversight for outsourced manufacturing partners, distribution networks and external vendors across Europe
- Lead and support audits, inspections and regulatory readiness activities involving health authorities and third-party partners
- Review and approve critical quality documentation including SOPs, quality agreements, validation documentation, specifications and batch record activities
- Collaborate with Supply Chain, Technical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance and other cross-functional stakeholders
- Drive quality improvement initiatives and contribute to organisational excellence across a global matrix environment
- Provide leadership, mentoring and development support to a team of quality professionals
- Partner with affiliates and external partners to ensure effective complaint management, product quality review activities and recall readiness
- Support new product introductions, validation activities and regulatory compliance initiatives
- Deliver quality training and foster a strong culture of continuous improvement across the organisation
What we're looking for:
- Approximately 10+ years of Quality Assurance experience within the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or related life sciences industry
- Current Associate Director-level experience, ideally within a global or regional quality function
- Strong GMP/GDP quality systems expertise and experience managing complex quality processes
- Experience supporting manufacturing operations across multiple sites, CMOs, CDMOs or international partner networks
- Demonstrated people management and leadership experience
- Strong auditing and inspection management background
- Proven experience working across European markets and regulatory environments
- Experience partnering with cross-functional stakeholders in global matrix organisations
- Strong communication, influencing and problem-solving skills
- Degree-qualified in a scientific discipline or relevant field
Nice to have:
- Experience supporting biologics or sterile manufacturing environments
- Exposure to virtual manufacturing models and outsourced product portfolios
- Experience with electronic Quality Management Systems (eQMS)
- Progress towards QP training or a strong interest in becoming a Qualified Person
Why consider this opportunity?
- High-profile role within a growing global quality organisation
- Opportunity to influence strategic quality decisions across Europe
- Direct exposure to senior leadership and key business stakeholders
- Clear pathway for future career progression
- QP training support and professional development opportunities
- Diverse portfolio covering multiple manufacturing and supply partners
- Collaborative, hands-on culture where leadership remains close to operations
- Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package
Associate Director, Global Product Quality employer: Meet Life Sciences
Join a dynamic and innovative pharmaceutical organisation in Egham, Surrey, where you will be part of a collaborative team dedicated to advancing clinical research. We offer a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, alongside opportunities for professional development and growth within the clinical operations field. Our supportive culture values your contributions and encourages continuous improvement, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Global Product Quality
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like Meet Life Sciences. These are goldmines for making connections and learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream job boards.
✨Join Relevant Professional Bodies
Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like Meet Life Sciences.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like Meet Life Sciences. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you're applying for roles, don't rush it! Take the time to customise your applications for specific positions, showcasing relevant skills and experiences that align with what Meet Life Sciences is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Global Product Quality
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Meet Life Sciences!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Meet Life Sciences that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Meet Life Sciences!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Meet Life Sciences, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Meet Life Sciences
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Meet Life Sciences that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with Meet Life Sciences’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
