Global Supplier Quality Head (Pharmaceuticals)

TL;DR

Global Supplier Quality Head (Pharmaceuticals): Defining and leading global supplier quality strategy for APIs, excipients, packaging materials, device constituent parts, and critical GxP suppliers with an accent on qualification, governance, performance, and risk management. Focus on harmonizing supplier oversight across manufacturing sites, leading quality event and change management, and embedding a new global operating model across a complex pharmaceutical network.

Location: Primary location is Parma, Italy, with flexibility to be based at a hirify.global affiliate elsewhere in Europe and regular travel to Parma required.

Salary: Minimum €74,000, plus annual bonus and benefits; compensation is adjusted to the applicable local market when based outside Italy.

Company

International research-focused biopharmaceutical group developing and marketing medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, with more than 8,000 employees and operations in over 30 countries.

What you will do

• Define global supplier qualification, requalification, approval, and lifecycle management strategies.
• Establish supplier quality governance standards, policies, procedures, metrics, and escalation forums.
• Oversee supplier performance monitoring, scorecards, quality reviews, improvement plans, and mitigation actions.
• Lead supplier risk and criticality assessments and support business continuity planning.
• Provide quality oversight for deviations, investigations, complaints, SCARs, CAPAs, and supplier-initiated changes.
• Govern Supplier Quality Technical Agreements and collaborate with procurement, manufacturing, regulatory, technical development, and audit functions.

Requirements

• University degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical quality management and supplier quality oversight.
• Strong knowledge of GMP requirements for APIs, excipients, packaging materials, and combination products.
• Proven experience managing global supplier qualification and governance programs.
• Strong knowledge of supplier quality risk management, change management, and quality systems.
• Fluent English, written and spoken, is required.

Nice to have

• Experience with inhalation products and Device Constituent Parts.
• Experience managing supplier networks across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Knowledge of FDA, EMA, and international supplier oversight requirements.
• Experience in business continuity and supply chain risk management.

Culture & Benefits

• Purpose-driven, sustainable, and ethical working environment.
• Comprehensive healthcare, private medical insurance, pension, and wellbeing programs.
• Company car and flexible benefits program.
• Flexible working arrangements, remote work options, tax assistance, and relocation support.
• Training, development resources, work-life balance initiatives, and annual performance bonus eligibility.