QA Operations Manager

We are currently recruiting for a Quality Operations Manager to join our Quality team in Abingdon.

The Quality Operations Manager is responsible for leading and developing the Quality Operations team to ensure the effective delivery of departmental objectives, quality KPIs and GMP compliance across the site.

The role holder will foster a high-performing, engaged and accountable team culture, ensuring resources are appropriately prioritised and allocated to meet business needs. In addition to leadership responsibilities, the Quality Operations Manager will provide technical quality oversight and support the team in the execution of day-to-day Quality Operations activities as required. The role may deputise for the VP Head of Quality when required.

Aptuit is a leader in the discovery and development of novel small molecule drugs. The Company has built substantial drug discovery and development expertise and an industrialised platform that can drive new innovative small molecule compounds into the clinic.

Role: QA Operations Manager

Role Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week

Salary: Competitive salary, plus excellent company benefits package

Location: Milton Park, Abingdon (onsite role)

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, motivate and develop the Quality Operations team to achieve departmental objectives and business priorities.
• Foster a culture of quality, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews and development discussions.
• Coach and mentor team members, supporting both individual and team growth.
• Manage team workload and resource allocation to ensure activities are completed on time and in full.
• Monitor team performance against agreed objectives and KPIs, implementing improvement actions where required.

• Drive employee engagement and support recruitment, onboarding and development activities as required.
• Provide technical guidance and quality decision-making support to the Quality Operations team.

Quality Operations

• Provide Quality support to API Production, API Chemistry, QC, Warehouse and Engineering functions.
• Ensure Quality Operations activities are performed in compliance with company procedures, cGMP requirements and regulatory expectations.
• Monitor, trend and report departmental quality metrics and KPIs.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support customer audits, client audits and regulatory inspections.
• Liaise with customers and internal stakeholders on Quality-related matters.

• Support day-to-day Quality Operations activities including batch disposition, deviations, OOS investigations, CAPAs, Change Controls, Product Quality Reviews, complaints and recalls.
• Ensure Quality documentation is reviewed and approved on time and in full.
• Review and approve GMP documentation supporting manufacturing, quality systems and validation activities.
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Essential

• BSc or higher qualification in a scientific discipline.
• Significant experience within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Significant experience within a Quality Assurance function.
• Previous leadership experience, including performance management, coaching and employee development.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP requirements and pharmaceutical quality systems.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise activities, allocate resources and deliver results through others.

Desirable

• Experience within an API manufacturing environment.
• Extensive leadership or management experience.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and customer audits.
• Lean Six Sigma qualification or equivalent continuous improvement training.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience using quality metrics and KPIs to drive performance.

The Ideal Candidate Will Be

• A strong and engaging people leader, capable of building, developing and motivating high-performing teams.
• Able to drive accountability, engagement and delivery of departmental objectives.
• Confident in making sound quality and business decisions within a GMP-regulated environment.
• Proactive, resilient and solutions-focused.
• An effective communicator with strong influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Able to balance quality, compliance, risk and business priorities.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package

• Pension on completion of your 3-month probationary period. Contributions start at 6% employee and employer, Evotec will match up to 7.5%.

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional length of service days awarded on the anniversary, up to a maximum of 30 days

• Private health insurance with BUPA for the employees and their partner/family under the company scheme

• Private dental cover, after 3 months service

• Life assurance at four times your annual base salary

• Well being support 24/7 and counselling services

• Permanent health insurance providing 75% of base salary after the qualifying period

• Subsidised on premise restaurant.

• Eligibility to participate in the Company Bonus Scheme.  This is a discretionary benefit

• Excellent career progression opportunities within the company; we have an excellent training and support and continuing professional development opportunities

• Cycle to work scheme

***Closing date for applications will be Friday 31st July 2026***

FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité, Evotec étudie, à compétences égales, toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap.

ENG : In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.