Manager/Senior Manager, Quality Control

JOB SUMMARY

 

The Manager/Senior Manager, Quality Control provides technical and operational leadership for Quality Control laboratory activities supporting Genezen’s viral vector programs. This role is responsible for ensuring the timely, compliant, and reliable execution of QC testing activities, including in-process, release, stability, and environmental monitoring testing, in accordance with cGMP requirements, approved procedures, and applicable regulatory expectations.

This position provides oversight of QC laboratory operations, including testing execution, laboratory investigations, stability programs, data integrity, equipment and laboratory systems, and inspection readiness. The Manager/Senior Manager ensures QC activities are appropriately prioritized and resourced to support manufacturing schedules, client commitments, and product disposition while maintaining high standards for quality, compliance, and scientific rigor.

The role partners closely with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Process Development, Regulatory Affairs, and other cross-functional stakeholders to resolve quality issues, support investigations and regulatory activities, and continuously improve laboratory performance. The Manager/Senior Manager also leads and develops QC personnel, establishing clear expectations and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and compliance.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

1. Quality Control Laboratory Operations

• Lead day-to-day QC laboratory operations supporting in-process, release, stability, and other required testing activities.
• Establish laboratory priorities and allocate resources to support manufacturing schedules, product disposition, client commitments, and business needs.
• Ensure testing is performed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with approved methods, specifications, procedures, and cGMP requirements.
• Monitor laboratory workload, testing timelines, and capacity and proactively address risks that could impact testing or product release.
• Provide technical oversight and troubleshooting support for complex laboratory issues and testing events.

1. QC Investigations & Quality Systems

• Provide oversight and technical direction for laboratory investigations, including OOS, OOT, deviations, and other atypical laboratory events.
• Ensure investigations are scientifically sound, thoroughly documented, completed within established timelines, and appropriately identify root cause and corrective actions.
• Develop, implement, and monitor CAPAs associated with QC laboratory operations and investigations.
• Partner with Quality Assurance and other functions to evaluate quality events, identify trends, and mitigate recurring issues.
• Support change controls and other Quality Management System activities impacting QC operations.

1. Stability Program Management

• Oversee execution of stability programs, including sample management, testing schedules, protocol adherence, data review, trending, and reporting.
• Ensure stability activities are executed in accordance with approved protocols, regulatory commitments, and applicable requirements.
• Identify and escalate stability trends, atypical results, or risks that may impact product quality or shelf-life.

1. Laboratory, Equipment & Systems Governance

• Oversee QC laboratory infrastructure and equipment lifecycle activities, including qualification status, calibration, preventive maintenance, and service requirements.
• Ensure laboratory equipment and systems remain in a state of control and are appropriate for their intended use.
• Coordinate laboratory equipment needs, capacity planning, and operational readiness.
• Ensure appropriate segregation and controls for GMP and non-GMP laboratory activities, as applicable.
• Partner with appropriate functions to maintain laboratory computerized systems and associated compliance requirements.

1. Microbiology, Environmental Monitoring & Contamination Control

• Provide leadership and oversight for environmental monitoring and microbiological QC activities, as applicable to assigned laboratory operations.
• Ensure appropriate monitoring, trending, escalation, and investigation of environmental and microbiological results.
• Support contamination control strategies and investigation of microbiological or environmental excursions.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Quality Assurance to maintain appropriate controls supporting aseptic processing and product quality.

1. Regulatory Compliance & Inspection Readiness

• Ensure QC laboratory operations comply with cGMP, applicable FDA and international regulatory requirements, approved procedures, and internal quality standards.
• Maintain a sustained state of inspection readiness across QC laboratory operations.
• Serve as a QC subject matter expert during regulatory inspections, client audits, and internal audits.
• Support regulatory filings, responses, data requests, and other documentation requiring QC input.
• Ensure timely and effective resolution of audit and inspection observations associated with QC operations.

1. Data Integrity, Metrics, & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure QC data and records meet applicable data integrity requirements, including ALCOA+ principles and electronic records requirements.
• Monitor QC performance through meaningful metrics such as testing turnaround time, right-first-time performance, investigation cycle time, testing backlog, and deviation trends.
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase laboratory efficiency, compliance, quality, and reliability.
• Support implementation and effective use of laboratory systems, digital solutions, and automation where appropriate.
• Use laboratory performance data and trends to identify risks and drive corrective or preventive improvements.

1. Cross-Functional & Client Support

• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Process Development, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, and other functions to ensure QC readiness and timely resolution of quality or testing issues.
• Provide QC expertise and status updates for client programs, project teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate testing risks, laboratory constraints, investigation status, and potential impacts to timelines in a timely and transparent manner.
• Support technology transfer and commercialization activities from the QC testing/readiness perspective, including laboratory readiness, testing capacity, specifications, and execution requirements.

1. People & Organizational Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop QC scientists, associates, technicians, and/or supervisors, as applicable.
• Establish clear performance expectations, priorities, roles, and accountability for QC personnel.
• Ensure personnel are appropriately trained and qualified to perform assigned GMP activities.
• Manage performance, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and support employee development and succession planning.
• Promote a culture of quality, integrity, collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Assess staffing, capability, and training needs to ensure the QC organization can effectively support current and future business requirements.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES	Essential/Desired
BS in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or related field	Essential
MS in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or related field	Desired
ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCE
Minimum 3 - 5 years in a leadership role	Essential
Minimum 5 - 8 years progressive experience in quality control, or related discipline within biopharma or CDMO environments	Essential
Demonstrated experience with laboratory investigations and quality systems, including OOS/OOT investigations, deviations, CAPAs, root cause analysis, and data integrity requirements	Essential
Demonstrated experience leading GMP Quality Control laboratory operations, including in-process, release, stability, and/or microbiological testing	Essential
SKILLS / ABILITIES
Extensive knowledge of cGMP, GLP, FDA, EMA, and ICH requirements.	Essential
Excellent communication skills and ability to thrive in fast paced, dynamic environment	Essential
Experience with environmental monitoring programs, contamination control, and aseptic manufacturing support.	Essential
Familiarity with laboratory systems, LIMS, data integrity principles, and automation technologies.	Essential
Proven leadership experience, with a track record of building and managing high-performing teams	Essential

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to meet the following physical demands:

Work Environment

• Frequently required to work in a BSL 2 environment with personal protective equipment/aseptic gowning
• Regularly required to work around large machinery and typical utilities seen in pharmaceutical facilities
• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; hazardous waste; and risk of electrical shock
• Occasionally exposed to extremely loud noise levels
• Spending time on the floor during activity execution (maintenance, construction, commissioning and qualification) is required

Movement

•  Frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms
• Occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

Lifting

• Frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

Vision

• Frequently utilize close vision and the ability to adjust focus

Communication

• Frequently required to communicate by talking, hearing, using telephone and e-mail