Vendor Quality Lead QP

Make your mark for patients

To strengthen our External Supply Quality DP department, we are looking for a talented profile to fill the position of: Vendor Quality Lead and Qualified Person (QP) – Braine l'Alleud, Belgium

About the role

This position will provide leadership and QA expertise in driving strategic and operational Quality Assurance activities associated with Global Vendors (Contract Manufacturing Organizations) engaged in GMP manufacturing activities for UCB Products.

This position will support the Qualified Person (QP) in relation to all batch release activity for Global products produced by third parties, primarily performing QA review of batch documents, issue of batch certificates, and transactional release activities.

Perform pharmaceutical drug product/finished good release at UCB Pharma SA Belgium as appropriate. This position will also deputize for the QP during absence or travel.

You will work with

This Vendor Quality Lead DP&QP will be closely partnering with QA management within UCB and at interfaces with CMC Quality Leads, Vendor Quality Leads for other vendor sites, and in collaboration with UCB Technical Operations.

What you will do

Vendor Quality Lead (VQL) related accountabilities

• Be the central QA point of contact for the organization for investigations/deviations/out-of-specifications/complaints/audit observations associated with the assigned vendors
• Cover the entire product life cycle from initial commercialisation including Technology Transfer/Knowledge transfer, commercial (key raw materials to distribution), product improvements to phase out for the assigned vendors
• Ensure timely completion and, change controls, complaints, product quality reviews and support customer audits and Health Authority inspections
• Manage the key performance indicators (metrics) for key operational QA activities and services associated with the vendors in the defined described tracking tools and track the vendor's performance
• Ensure all Quality agreements are in place and take ownership of agreements for the vendors. Maintain Quality Agreement with the vendors up to date and perform periodic reviews and update of the agreement in close collaboration with the vendors
• Provide expert QA advice, support and management for technical operational QA and general QA matters associated with the vendors
• Work closely with Corporate QA teams, Technical Operation Teams, Business stakeholders and Affiliates in an effective and efficient way

Qualified Person related accountabilities

• Support the QP in relation to all batch release activity, primarily performing QA review of batch documents.
• Issue batch certificates for product release and distribution
• Perform in SAP the transactional product release and maintenance of batch release register
• Act as a contact with other departments and Affiliates to support the drug product /Finished goods release process and supply of post release documents.
• Maintain and report Metrics relating to batch release activities.
• Support Global Regulatory Affairs and CMC Quality Leads for submission document requests

Interested? For this position you'll need the following education, experience and skills

• Master's degree in Industrial Pharmacy
• QP certified number is required
• Minimum 5-10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector with expertise in QA and injectables is required
• Fluent English communication (oral and written); any additional languages are a plus. 
• Good background knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry from a regulatory, business and technical perspective.
• Must be able to act in most circumstances without direct supervision and handle complex situations
• Possess good auditing capabilities and skills.
• Interact and influence senior internal and external stakeholders on many aspects
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills at all levels internally and externally especially at senior management levels.
• Be able to coach, train and mentor colleagues and deliver training within area of expertise
• Experience in operating in different cultures and in a multi-cultural environment
• Expertise in root cause analysis and risk management
• Ability to independently analyze data and information to draw conclusions and make effective decisions.

Are you ready to 'go beyond' to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you 

About us 
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science. 

Why work with us? 
At UCB, we don't just complete tasks, we create value. We aren't afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We 'go beyond' to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that's on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential. 

At UCB, we've embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws. 
 
Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on EMEA- Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.