Associate Director, Quality Assurance (Quality Management System)

MSD

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for an inspiring leader to shape and champion our laboratory Quality Management System across our international sites. In this role, you will collaborate closely with our talented laboratory managers and technical teams to harmonise our quality procedures, simplify documentation practices and foster a collaborative culture of compliance. Bring energy, knowledge, innovation to carry out the following: Lead the multi-site laboratory Quality Management System, ensuring alignment with ISO 17025 or comparable standards, corporate quality expectations and consistent implementation across sites in Newport (UK), Dublin (IRL) and Lawrence (Kansas-USA). Partner with laboratory managers and technical teams to define, harmonise and maintain quality procedures, documentation practices and compliance controls. Serve as the primary liaison with global accreditation bodies and third‑party auditors, managing audit readiness, corrective actions and accreditation cycles. Maintain and improve documentation control, change management and internal audit programmes. Monitor quality performance across sites, analyse trends and provide KPI reporting to senior leadership. Apply risk‑based quality principles to identify vulnerabilities, prioritise action, and strengthen processes. Drive continuous improvement initiatives, evaluating the effectiveness of implemented changes and ensuring standardised adoption across labs. Provide functional leadership, coaching and training to site Quality Representatives to build quality capability and ensure consistent practices across locations. Support integration of new technologies, methods and digital tools into the quality framework as the lab network evolves. Stay current with global certification requirements, industry best practices and trends in scientific testing quality systems.

Requirements

• 5+ years of quality experience within an accredited environment, preferably a scientific testing laboratory
• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline required
• Strong expertise with ISO 17025, ISO 9001 or comparable lab-quality frameworks
• Proven experience managing external audits, accreditation activities, CAPA programmes and continuous improvement efforts
• Strong analytical skills with experience generating and interpreting quality metrics, audit results and operational data
• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder‑management skills in a highly cross‑functional environment
• Demonstrated ability to train teams, influence without direct authority and support a global or multi‑site structure
• Willingness to travel internationally 15-20%

Nice To Haves

• advanced degree or quality certification (e.g., ASQ, Lead Auditor) preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead the multi-site laboratory Quality Management System, ensuring alignment with ISO 17025 or comparable standards, corporate quality expectations and consistent implementation across sites in Newport (UK), Dublin (IRL) and Lawrence (Kansas-USA)
• Partner with laboratory managers and technical teams to define, harmonise and maintain quality procedures, documentation practices and compliance controls
• Serve as the primary liaison with global accreditation bodies and third‑party auditors, managing audit readiness, corrective actions and accreditation cycles
• Maintain and improve documentation control, change management and internal audit programmes
• Monitor quality performance across sites, analyse trends and provide KPI reporting to senior leadership
• Apply risk‑based quality principles to identify vulnerabilities, prioritise action, and strengthen processes
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, evaluating the effectiveness of implemented changes and ensuring standardised adoption across labs
• Provide functional leadership, coaching and training to site Quality Representatives to build quality capability and ensure consistent practices across locations
• Support integration of new technologies, methods and digital tools into the quality framework as the lab network evolves
• Stay current with global certification requirements, industry best practices and trends in scientific testing quality systems

Benefits

• We are committed to flexible working where possible, and this is why our Company has introduced a new hybrid working model for office-based colleagues around the world.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager