Director, Client Quality Programs

Director, Client Quality Programs

Looking to join a passionate team dedicated to developing and manufacturing life-saving biopharmaceuticals? Avid Bioservices is a leading clinical and commercial biologics CDMO focused on creating innovative solutions to meet the needs of our clients and improve patient outcomes. Your Role: The Director, Client Quality Programs serves as the primary interface between clients and Quality functions, ensuring alignment of client expectations with internal quality processes. This role focuses on coordination, communication, and escalation management for client-facing quality activities. This position operates in a matrixed capacity across Avid Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Quality Control and Project Management, and does not have primary responsibility for batch disposition decision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the QA personnel responsible for coordination of client facing quality related deliverables, including facilitation of lot disposition, Batch Production record (BPR) readiness, QA Project Management and QA On the Floor (QAOTF) activities.
• Responsible for coordinating and ensuring timely product disposition decisions in partnership with Quality functional owners.
• Ensures alignments of master BPR requirements and timelines with client expectations. Partners with client and Avid Quality and technical functional teams for preparation, review, and approval.
• Operates as a cross functional QA liaison across QA, QC, Manufacturing and Project Management.
• Responsible for client communication strategy, escalation management, and QA representative for external governance meetings.
• Identify, design, champion and implement process improvements using Operational Excellence tools to analyze current state and create future state.
• Utilize technical and quality knowledge to provide QA oversight and guidance to real time Manufacturing floor events resulting in rapid remediation and compliance to client and regulatory expectations. Communicate clearly with client to support issue resolution and client relations.
• Independently formulate solutions to complex problems with little guidance or oversight required.
• Strong problem solving and communication skills.
• Manage/direct the selection, training, motivation, development, appraisal and work assignments of Quality personnel.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• Occasional overnight travel by land and/or air may be required to attend seminars or conferences or client meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.A. or B.S. degree (preferably in Life Science) is required with at least 7 - 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry.
• Must have sound knowledge of cGMPs. The ability to interpret and relate Quality standards for implementation is essential along with the ability to make sound decisions that align with cGMPs.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally both in writing and verbally.
• Flexibility in problem solving, providing direction and work hours to meet business objectives is essential.
• Operational Excellence and Lean problem-solving experience preferred.
• Language Skills - Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.
• Mathematical Skills - Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability - Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Computer Skills - To perform this job successfully, an individual should have proficient personal computer skills including electronic mail, record keeping, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, etc. Microsoft Office experience preferred (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Competencies:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures. Generates creative solutions.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follow