QA Operations Lead

SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company, operating across 115 countries with a global network of laboratories and business facilities and a team of over 100,000 professionals. We are recognised worldwide as the benchmark for quality, integrity and trust. In Ireland, SGS combines global expertise with local knowledge to support the pharmaceutical, food and health sectors in meeting the highest standards of quality, safety, compliance and sustainability. Within our Health & Nutrition business, we play a critical role in supporting our customers through analytical testing, quality assurance and regulatory compliance services, helping them bring safe, high-quality products to market with confidence.

Main Purpose of Role

Is to lead the QA operations team, with accountability for team performance, results, and QA Operations spend, operating with minimal guidance from the QA Manager. Support the effectiveness of the ISL Quality Management System and ensure quality standards and culture are maintained and continuously improved across ISL. Support the development of plans, organisational priorities, and quality-related initiatives across ISL, including resource management and input to QA Operations policy formation. Lead the positioning of Quality as an enabler of business performance and future growth. Support audit readiness, preparation, and execution, and actively participate in site governance activities through the S&OP process.

Primary Responsibilities

Quality Assurance Operations Management:

• Accountable for the performance, outputs, and results of the QA Operations team
• Champion and drive a culture of continuous improvement across ISL operations
• Embed a culture of ‘always audit-ready’ behaviours and inspection preparedness across shop floor operations
• Lead the transparent and timely follow-up of LIRs, complaints, and deviations to minimise recurrence, acting as QA Partner for all Major and Critical Quality Events and providing surge capacity to QA Operations where required
• Maintain compliance with SGS requirements and internationally recognised quality standards across ISL operations
• Position QA Operations as a value-adding partner and enabler of future business within ISL
• Oversee the implementation and ongoing effectiveness of the self-inspection programme across all areas of ISL
• Ensure an efficient document management system is in place for SOPs and other quality documents, with a focus on simplification, usability, and compliance with GMP periodic review timelines.
• Oversee the change control system, ensuring it remains effective, compliant, and appropriately governed for all cGMP-related changes
• Lead audit readiness activities, including preparation for and execution of external Health Authority, Global Quality Excellence, and customer audits, where required, and support timely response and closure of audit observations
• Ensure and effective CAPA tracking system is in place
• Liaise with senior professionals (e.g. QA Facilitators) to maintain consistent and efficient approach site operations quality assurance
• Ensure QA issues are communicated and escalated effectively, with timely follow-up through to resolution
• Oversee the effective measurement, monitoring, and reporting of Quality KPIs to relevant stakeholders
• Support the control of compliance with all relevant SGS, local and international regulatory standards (safety, quality, training including ISL governance process).
• Provide leadership in the development and embedding of quality culture across ISL

Supply Chain Excellence:

• Ensure QA enables QC in the effective implementation and delivery of analytical testing
• Co-own the Tier 1 and Tier 2 daily meeting processes, driving their ongoing effectiveness and alignment with operational priorities
• Co-Business Process Own, along with QC, the Shop Floor control and related metrics TSP, LCMA etc.
• Responsible for the process performance and forecast tracking and implementing CAPAs according to the RCA process as needed. Escalating KPI and relevant process issues to Senior Management. Continuously drive process improvement with the other process owners. Promote supply chain excellence principles throughout ISL.
• Sponsor improvement activities within QA and across ISL, looking beyond existing ways of doing things
• Drive effective integration between QA and QC, ensuring the QA function supports QC in achieving operational and revenue targets

People Management:

• Performance Management- Manage the QA Operations Team. Provide guidance, set goals, assign tasks and monitor progress for effective team performance. Conduct regular 1:1s and twice-yearly formal reviews. Provide input to ratings and salary/ promotion decisions. Assess performance and provide feedback on strengths and areas of improvement.  Provide support with personal development, coaching and mentoring to support employee growth
• Build a strong team and manage team members in accordance with policies
• Support the integration of new staff. Ensure that all personnel are properly trained and qualified to execute their duties. Ensure training is completed before deadlines
• Build succession plan for roles within own business area and input to those in other teams. Execute actions to support planning
• Support SGS HR/Payroll team in liaising with direct report
• Manage HR System- Approve leave and timesheets and manage absence within business area
• Coach in maintenance of the ISL values and behaviours
• Support decision making around hiring & exiting

Quality Management System:

• Support and promote the continued effectiveness of the ISL Quality Management System
• Serve as Deputy Lead for the Site Quality Management Review, supporting effective governance, preparation, execution, and follow-up
• Support the development and execution of the Site Quality Plan
• Deputise for the QA Manager, as required, in the review and approval of Quality Agreements with customers and external third-party service providers
• Provide input to, and influence the development of, Global SOPs where required
• Maintain awareness of changes and trends in the regulatory environment and ensure these are appropriately assessed and applied to the ISL Quality System

Strategy and Governance:

• Provide input to and support the development of the ISL Strategy and business priorities. Ensure that all QA Operations activities are aligned
• Lead integration and co-ordination of QA Operations with other functions such as QC.
• Co-Owner of the monthly Operations meeting, where operations level improvements are tracked.
• Be responsible for headcount and expense planning within QA operations, in consultation with the QA Manager. Participate in ISL budgeting cycle. Understand spend across ISL.

Safety/ Sustainability:

• At all times, act safely by exercising due regard for the health and safety of self, colleagues, and clients, in line with the Company’s policies and procedures.
• Sponsor activities around Sustainability and Corporate Social responsibility.
• Carry out safety audits and leadership visits and work to enhance pro-active safety culture.
• Support SGS Ireland and SGS ISL practices around mental health and wellbeing.

Commercial/ Business Expertise:

• Develop understanding of market and how own team can influence future success.
• Develop understanding of and contacts in other SGS labs/ functions, for mutual support.
• May attend customer visits.
• Represent the company at Industry/ Client Meetings.

General:

• Deputise for the QA Manager, providing leadership and support across QA activities as required
• Represent ISL and actively participate in cross lab global forums where required
• Look beyond ISL and beyond own function to define and resolve complex issues - Benchmark and liaise with other SGS labs to enhance performance
• Ensure full compliance with the Company’s Code of Integrity & Professional Conduct and always adopt behaviour in accordance with SGS Equality & Diversity policy

• Science graduate degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or equivalent education
• Minimum of 5 years in analytical testing and 3 years in a QA role
• Deep knowledge of cGMP requirements

What we are looking for:

• Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate high-performing teams in a quality-focused environment.
• Strong strategic mindset with the ability to translate business objectives into measurable results.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and promoting a culture of quality, compliance and operational excellence.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Collaborative leadership style and a track record of building strong cross-functional partnerships.
• Ability to lead teams through change, prioritise effectively and make sound decisions in a dynamic environment.
• Passion for developing people through coaching, mentoring and succession planning.
• Results-driven, with a strong focus on performance, customer service and delivery.
• Innovative and forward-thinking, with the confidence to challenge existing practices and identify opportunities for improvement.

Closing date for expressions of interest: 12 August