R&D Supplier Quality Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct risk-based supplier assessments, qualification, audit and lifecycle management, including quality agreements across various R&D service categories.
• Lead or support risk-based qualification and ongoing oversight of suppliers that utilize and/or provide GxP computerized systems, interfaces and devices to support clinical and preclinical activities.
• Assessment and oversight of supplier AI-Enabled GXP computerized systems used to support clinical and preclinical activities ensuring compliance to defined procedural controls, policies and standards.
• Plan, lead, and document risk-based audits of supplier GxP computerized systems and associated quality processes to assess regulatory compliance, validation and lifecycle controls, data integrity, security, and the effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.
• Assess supplier quality systems and controls for computerized system lifecycle management, including validation, data integrity, security, access management, change and configuration management, incident and problem management, backup, recovery, business continuity, and decommissioning.
• Review risk-appropriate quality and technical requirements in supplier contracts and quality agreements, including validation documentation, audit trails, electronic records and signatures, subcontractor controls, regulatory inspection support, data ownership, data retention, and notification of significant changes or incidents.
• Participate in supplier governance and periodic reviews; evaluate service performance, validation status, changes, deviations, incidents, audit outcomes, emerging risks, and CAPA effectiveness, and escalate material GxP or data integrity concerns.
• Support inspection readiness and regulatory responses related to supplier's computerized systems; partner with system owners and subject-matter experts on supplier risk acceptance, remediation, continuity, transition, and exit decisions.
• Monitor supplier performance, track KPIs, and escalate quality issues when appropriate.
• Coordinate and/or execute supplier audits, manage findings, initiate quality records, and ensure timely CAPA closure.
• Maintain supplier data in quality systems (e.g., Veeva, TrackWise) to ensure accuracy and inspection readiness.
• Engage with suppliers to align requirements, governance and process improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with procedures, perform quality checks, and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with internal teams (R&D, Supply Chain, Sourcing, QA) to assist in the development and execution of supplier quality strategies.

Travel: Up to 10% domestic and international travel may be required for supplier engagements and audits.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree OR
• Master's degree and 2 years of Science, Engineering, or experience in a related field OR
• Bachelor's degree and 4 years of Science, Engineering, or experience in a related field OR
• Associate's degree and 8 years of Science, Engineering, or experience in a related field OR
• High school diploma / GED and 10 years of Science, Engineering, or experience in a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in Life Sciences or Engineering.
• Knowledge of GxP, ISO standards, and regulatory expectations for R&D suppliers.
• Experience with supplier quality risk assessment tools and audit practices.
• Working knowledge of computerized system validation and assurance principles, risk-based system lifecycle practices, and applicable expectations for electronic records, electronic signatures, audit trails, and data integrity.
• Experience assessing or overseeing GxP technology suppliers, including software, software-as-a-service, cloud, hosting, infrastructure, implementation, validation, and managed service providers.
• Ability to evaluate supplier audit reports, validation plans and reports, requirements and traceability, testing evidence, security and continuity controls, change records, deviations, CAPAs, and service performance data.
• Experience and proficiency in overseeing AI-enabled GxP systems, including risk assessment, governance, validation, data integrity, and ongoing supplier monitoring.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and in a matrixed environment.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Detail-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Proactive collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under timelines.