Quality Compliance Director
The West Point Quality organization ensures our products are manufactured, processed, tested, packaged, stored, and distributed aligned with our incredibly high standards of quality and meets all regulatory requirements. Partnering across our West Point campus, internal manufacturing facilities, external contract manufacturers and suppliers we create a global manufacturing network dedicated to deliver a compliant, reliable supply to customers and patients on time, every time, across the globe.
The Quality Compliance Director will be a core member of the West Point Quality Assurance Leadership Team and serves as a quality leader accountable for the quality oversight and management of the Quality team overseeing Regulatory Inspections, Site Internal Audit and Health Authority reporting supporting the West Point Manufacturing and Quality Control laboratories. The position will be responsible to ensure site's compliance with applicable regulations, industry standards and Quality Management Systems. The incumbent will be responsible for developing, implementing and leading a group of compliance professionals through the deployment of compliance programs, monitor compliance efforts and advise site senior management on compliance related matters. The role also involves serving as the lead for regulatory agency inspection coordination and collaborating with other departments to address compliance issues. The responsibilities of this role will additionally include sustainment through continuous improvement of the organization at the site.
Primary activities include, but are not limited to :
- Develop and implement comprehensive compliance program for the site to ensure Permanent Inspection Readiness (PIR), which includes leading the site audit program and inspection readiness team.
- Track and interpret changes in regulations, industry standards and ensure proactive awareness and PIR at the site.
- Champion engrained quality culture across the manufacturing site by enhancing learning and awareness of quality systems.
- Conduct regular compliance risk assessments, identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate the risks. Identify and address compliance issues, develop corrective action plans and implement improvements to compliance programs.
- Coach the site on quality risks to develop near and long term strategies with all operational related risks identified and escalation and mitigation of risks in a timely manner.
- Act as a liaison and / or SME to present operational compliance to Health Authorities and regulatory agencies on relevant topics.
- Lead a team of professionals who serve as contact for regulatory agencies during inspections, responding to inspectional or regulatory agency inquiries, providing information and addressing compliance concerns.
- Serve as lead for the team coordinating Health Authority reporting, Market action events, and complaint process management for the site.
- Health Authoring Reporting, including but not limited to BPDRs, DPRs, and FARs | Assesses events such as complaints and deviations and determines the need to report the event | Works with responsible teams to author and submit the required health authority notification and any follow-up action.
- Lead a team of site internal auditors to ensure PIR and monitor ongoing compliance activities.
- Provide training and guidance to employees on compliance related matters, ensuring a robust PIR and auditing program at the site.
- Provide expertise in developing strategies for inspection readiness including working with Regulatory with relevant submissions for new product launches.
- Skills in engaging and collaborating with various functional teams (e.g., Operations, Technology, Automation, Regulatory, Research).
- Act as a partner to applicable network teams and communities of practice associated with compliance, facility fitness, inspection readiness, data integrity and other programs as applicable.
- Partner across Quality and other key stakeholders to ensure the monitoring of third party suppliers compliance with requirements of cGMPs and applicable regulations.
- Ability to build relationships and work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
- Engage and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the site to drive simplification and standardization.
Minimum Education Requirements and Experience :
Bachelors degree (BA / BS) with 10+ years of experience in leading large molecule quality audit and technical inspectional strategies with adherence to FDA regulations within the biopharmaceutical or vaccine industries verifying GMP compliance.Required Experience, Skills, and Knowledge :
Applicable experience, strong understanding and knowledge of relevant quality systems expectations in the biotechnology or vaccine industry.Expert knowledge of cGMP relevant to the biotechnology or vaccine industry including knowledge of the local and international GMP regulations.In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and guidelines (e.g. 21 CFR part 11, Annex 11)Expert knowledge with audit or inspection managementProven success in delivering compliance initiatives and organizational design / establishment.Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to distill complex data into actionable insights and recommendations.Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration in team settings and matrix organizations to achieve common goals.Highly skilled in listening to diverse perspectives, developing impactful solutions, and advocating for effective positions through influence.Strong working knowledge of Quality Management Systems, and associated business processes.Excellent communication, leadership, technical writing and problem-solving skillsVery skilled at organizing complex topics, strong project management skills, able to handle multiple tasks concurrentlyAdapts to rapidly changing business needs, fostering a flexible and responsive approach to challenges.Ability to cultivate positive, transparent, and productive relationships across various stakeholders.A team player with high initiative, demonstrated planning skills, proven performance in problem-solving, team building and staff development.Fosters positive, transparent and productive relationshipsProven history of challenging the status quo of business standards and processes with the ability to propose solutionsExperience in working with cross functional teams as well as good leadership skills in a matrix organizationProven history of developing strategic plans and implementing on timeAbility to be decisive and influence management with demonstrated leadership skills and management of large teams.Experience in managing cross-functional initiatives or programsUnderstanding and experience in various business methodologies (ex. Lean thinking, Agile methodology, Design thinking, Six sigma, etc.)Salary Range : $169,700.00 - $267,200.00
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
You can apply for this role through https : / / jobs.merck.com / us / en .
Job Posting End Date : 08 / 13 / 2025
Requisition ID : R354681