About the Role

　　Job Purpose

　　Responsible for managing quality aspects at external suppliers for Biopharmaceuticals / Pharmaceutical / Devices and to ensure that the operational business is in compliance with cGMP, the Quality Assurance Agreement, regulatory requirements and the Novartis Pharma Quality Manual and is conducted according to the relevant SOPs.

　　Major Accountabilities

　　Lead External Suppliers Qualification process.

　　Acts as Single Point of Contact / SPOC for all quality related activities at the External Supplier

　　Ensure that all aspects of the handling, manufacturing and distribution of biopharmaceutical / pharmaceutical products are in compliance with the Novartis Pharma Quality Manual, the effective Quality Agreement that they meet relevant cGMP regulatory requirements and are conducted according to local SOPs.

　　Responsible for driving / initiating External Supplier Quality Risk assessments to be carried out for all External Suppliers. Gaps are Quality Systems to be identified with an evaluation of the associated risks. Remediation plans are to be defined and execution is to be monitored to ensure that issues are suitably addressed

　　Provide the quality presence and in-put to Technical meetings with the External suppliers and establish good working relationships with clear communication and defined actions and goals.

　　Ensure that a valid QA agreement defined in line with the requirements of the Global template is in place which clearly defines cGMP roles and responsibilities between Novartis and the External Supplier, as well as Product details and requirements. Approve Quality Agreement on behalf of the QA Lead.

　　Request, review and process GMP documentation as defined by the Quality Agreement and Novartis SOPs. Manage the quality aspects of the relationship in accordance with the effective Quality Agreement. Perform the required periodic review and make recommendations for amendments to the agreement based on identified needs and issues.

　　Responsible for coordinating and ensuring that Quality auditing of External suppliers is carried out according to the Novartis Quality Manual - maintain an annual auditing program, participate in and/or lead audits, manage action plans and follow up on agreed upon CAPAs. Ensure site readiness for regulatory inspections at External suppliers where appropriate.

　　Manage/Approve critical quality issues (deviations, complaints, recalls, counterfeits and product tampering, stability failures, etc) according to the Quality Agreement and the Novartis Quality Manual. Ensure investigations are correctly executed. Ensure all required actions are taken appropriately and in a timely fashion.

　　Escalate any issues or instances of instability per the Novartis escalation policy, and initiate any market action that is required. Decide escalation to Senior Management Level and lead Global Quality Assessments and manage filing (FAR/BPDR) accordingly. Support / participate in Novartis Emergency Management cases as required.

　　Ensure that Change requests, either from the External Supplier or from Novartis, are managed according to the Quality Agreement and Novartis SOPs from receipt, through to the implementation and closure.

　　Responsible for assessing quality trends and driving continuous improvement for processes and product quality performance.

　　Is the Quality representative on the Quality/Business Management Meetings for External Supply, and ensures robust review and escalation of critical quality issues arising within the area of responsibility.

　　Stability reports and PQR's, Ensure that the External Supplier provides the required product review or the data as specified in the relevant Quality Agreement on an annual basis. Critically assess the performance of the product and process and provide the assessment to the report annually. Approve PQR's on behalf of the QA Lead.

　　Support due diligence activities and provide External Supply QA recommendation (auditing, technical and quality assessments). Act as Key QA contact for ESO Sourcing/Strategy (and/or Business Development & Licensing) for the technologies in use in his QA organization

　　Support launches of product in close collaboration with BD& L partner and/ or development organization.

　　Support transfer of products in close collaboration with ESO MS&T and with QA from donor site. Ensure External Supplier readiness for commercial manufacturing starting from validation activities.

　　.

　　Assess and ensure External Supplier readiness for HA inspections (PAI, directed, other).

　　Within the organization

　　Implement and maintain a local Quality System and Standard Operating Procedures defining all the processes for managing of External suppliers.

　　Ensure that the QA Lead and the Supplier Relationship Manager is kept informed of all critical and major issues which may have an adverse affect on the quality of the product at an External Supplier. Ensure communication to Relevant Supply Head QA as necessary.

　　Together with the Supplier Relationship Manager provide direction, formulate strategies and make decisions which ensure the efficient operation of the External Supplier business as a whole - Participation in the Business review of External suppliers.

　　Participate in the Reporting on QA External Supplier activities - this is to include Risk Assessment, reporting and managing of defined KPI's. Monitor Key Performance Indicators and ensure that all parts of the External Supply QA organization are working in a consistent manner against harmonized expectations. Initiate corrective actions when necessary and perform follow-up on resulting measures.

　　Ensure that coordinated contact is maintained with other functions within Novartis also dealing with External suppliers namely Purchasing, Legal, Supply Chain, Regulatory CMC, Drug Regulatory Affairs, Group Quality Operations (GQO), etc

　　Participate in the ES Quality Plan - ensure that all quality issues at External suppliers are included in this plan. Lead specific actions of the Quality Plan as needed.

　　Lead/Participate in projects as defined and ensure that all aspects are implemented and followed up

　　Able to manage complex products in a cross functional environment (various technologies and multiple interfaces, complex market distribution)

　　Support and coordinate activities of QA Managers responsible within area of responsibility

　　Personal development and People development

　　Maintain current knowledge of local and international regulatory and legislative requirements and trends

　　Support development of QA associates with respect to product and process knowledge

　　Provide mentoring of junior QA associates

　　Key Performance Indicators

　　The number and severity of cGMP issues identified during internal Global Quality Organization and Health Authority audits of External Supply QA and the External Supplier

　　Compliance of products according to agreed specifications

　　No out of stock incidents related to QA activities

　　Training plans in place with training conducted, assessed and documented

　　Execution of responsibilities in a timely and efficient manner

　　Robustness of risk mitigation (CAPA closure effectiveness, supplier management)

　　*Performance against established KQIs

　　Diversity & Inclusion / EEO

　　We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

　　Role Requirements

　　Education:

　　Bachelor or higher degree; preferred Pharmacy; Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology or another related science

　　Languages:

　　Fluent in speaking / writing in English/French

　　Experience:

　　• 10 or more years' experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with direct experience with Pharmaceutical/Biopharmaceutical/API products. Experience in QA Operations, production, QC and/or other relevant operational areas, but must include minimally 5 years in QA, and 3 years of management and or project management experience.

　　• Thorough knowledge of cGMP requirements

　　• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements for commercial products

　　• Proven track record with FDA, EMEA and other Health Authorities.

　　• Strong understanding of risk assessment and risk management fundamentals/tools

　　• Strong Technical understanding of pharmaceutical processes

　　• Team and consensus builder, with definitive and authoritative decision making ability

　　Division

　　Operations

　　Business Unit

　　QUALITY

　　Location

　　Morocco

　　Site

　　Casablanca

　　Company / Legal Entity

　　NOV PHARMA MAR

　　Functional Area

　　Quality

　　Job Type

　　Full Time

　　Employment Type

　　Regular

　　Shift Work

　　No