
Specialist, Quality Assurance- 3rd Shift
Merck
Summary
The Specialist, Quality Assurance is accountable for review and approval of documentation to support Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) clinical supply drug product manufacture, testing, release and maintenance of clinical supply programs. They independently perform review and routine audits of batch documentation, data, information, procedures, equipment and systems, and/or facilities to ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and other applicable worldwide regulations and company procedures.
Job description
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform GMP documentation review and approval for internal or outsourced manufacturing of clinical supplies including batch records, deviation and/or out-of-specification approval, change management approval, etc.
- Accountable for all assigned projects and communication of status to the Management team.
- Identify need for and/or develop SOPs to ensure practices are accurately reflected.
- Assist in SOP and quality-related system development and approval.
- Prioritize work for assigned projects including clinical supply disposition commitments and maintenance of a current GMP posture within Global Development Quality.
- Adhere to cGMPs and SOPs.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives and action plans.
- Assist in preparations for regulatory agency inspections.
- Ensure procedures are followed and specifications met to release or reject materials.
- Build collaborative working relationships and effective communications with all stakeholders in manufacturing operations, analytical testing, quality assurance, regulatory, etc. at all levels.
- Establish, educate, and enforce standard operating procedures required under GMP.
- Participate in investigations using root cause analysis techniques, ensure effective corrective actions and preventive actions.
- Maintain a state of readiness for and participate in audits and inspections.
- On-site support of production facility & staff.
Education Minimum Requirement
B.S. in appropriate Science or Engineering discipline (chemistry, biology, biochemistry, microbiology).
Required Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
- 2 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or related industry.
- Understanding of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and Good Documentation Practices and related drug regulation requirements, including European Union.
- Experience in one or more functional areas such as quality control, quality assurance, analytical laboratories, manufacturing, production support area, clinical development.
- Attention to detail, flexibility, and an awareness of production and associated quality problems.
- Strong interpersonal skills including verbal and written communications, collaboration, teamwork within and across functions, conflict resolution.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, and to meet deliverables and timelines.
Preferred Experience and Skills
- Sterile dosage drug product (vial, syringe, other) manufacturing and/or analytical testing.
- A combination of experiences in quality assurance plus operations, laboratory, or related functional roles.
- Diverse experiences in a GMP environment including batch production record development, review, or approval, ancillary batch related records, standard operating procedures, work instructions, raw materials, deviations, change control, corrective actions, preventive actions, out of specification results, cleaning, validation plans or protocols, equipment qualification, audits, electronic inventory systems, quality management systems.
- Ability to identify, focus, and solve problems in a timely and efficient manner.
- Experience with quality audits and EU regulatory inspections.
- Experience with Data Integrity and speak-up culture.
- Experience or working knowledge of R&D or clinical supply areas and processes.
Shift Notice
The position will initially be assigned to 1st shift or 2nd shift for training purposes, then transition to 3rd shift (12:00 AM – 8:00 AM) once training is complete. Applicants should be willing and able to accept a schedule change at that time and thereafter. Must be able to work on site and on shift.
Requirements
- B.S. in appropriate Science or Engineering discipline (chemistry, biology, biochemistry, microbiology)
- 2 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or related industry
- Understanding of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and Good Documentation Practices
- Knowledge of drug regulation requirements, including European Union
- Experience in one or more functional areas such as quality control, quality assurance, analytical laboratories, manufacturing, production support area, clinical development
- Attention to detail and flexibility
- Awareness of production and associated quality problems
- Strong interpersonal skills including verbal and written communications, collaboration, teamwork, and conflict resolution
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously and meet deliverables and timelines
- Must be able to work on site and on shift
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Retirement Benefits
- 401(k)
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Compassionate Leave
- Sick Days
- Annual Bonus
- Long-Term Incentive
Company overview
Merck & Co., Inc., known as Merck in the United States and Canada and MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) internationally, is a premier American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in 1891 as the U.S. subsidiary of the German Merck Group, the company became independent following World War I and has since grown into one of the world's largest biomedical companies, ranking fourth globally by revenue. Merck operates across three core business segments: pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health products. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking research and development, having brought numerous life-saving medicines to market including Keytruda (pembrolizumab), a leading immunotherapy for cancer treatment that generated $29.5 billion in 2024 revenue, and Gardasil, a revolutionary HPV vaccine. With approximately 75,000 employees worldwide, Merck maintains a robust pipeline of innovative therapies focused on oncology, vaccines, hospital acute care, cardiology, neuroscience, virology, immunology, and diabetes. The company invests heavily in R&D, spending $17.9 billion in 2024 alone, demonstrating its commitment to advancing scientific discovery. Merck's legacy spans over 130 years of bringing hope to humanity through important medicines and vaccines, operating with a purpose to use leading-edge science to save and improve lives globally while fostering an inclusive workforce and responsible business practices.