Senior Director, Quality

DISCGENICS INC•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

Welcome to DiscGenics, a pioneering, late-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing regenerative cell-based therapies for patients suffering from degenerative diseases of the spine. Privately held and passionately driven, our mission is to enhance lives by alleviating pain and restoring function through innovative treatment. At DiscGenics, we are committed to improving the quality of life for individuals debilitated by degenerative diseases of the spine. Our focus lies in developing cutting-edge therapies that offer hope and tangible results, fostering a future where patients can regain mobility and comfort. Our team is characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a nimble approach to addressing challenges. Our core values of Integrity, Innovation, Accuracy, Teamwork, and Stewardship guide everything we do. Join us at DiscGenics and be part of a transformative journey where your contributions have the potential to impact the lives of millions. Together we innovate with purpose and compassion, striving towards a future where pain and limitations of degenerative spine diseases are a thing of the past. Discover more about us at discgenics.com and see how you can contribute to revolutionizing patient care through regenerative therapies. Job Summary: The Senior Director of Quality functions as the Management Representative and Head of Quality functions at DiscGenics (that includes Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Microbiology) reporting directly to the CEO. Responsible for facilitating Management Review and the implementation of and maintaining a compliant Quality Management System (QMS) to support DiscGenics clinical trial initiatives, cGMP commercial manufacturing operations, and preparations for regulatory filings in advance of commercial approval in defined markets. The Senior Director, Quality documents, monitors, and assures compliance to the Quality Management System with applicable government jurisdiction regulations. Responsible for building, managing, and mentoring a team of quality professionals that will train the organization on applicable regulatory requirements and ensure that the organization maintains compliance with applicable regulations. This individual fulfills the Quality Policy by implementing Quality Objectives that are aimed at improving the Quality Management System. Delivers collaborative and positive leadership to facilitate department and organizational initiatives for cultural cohesion aligned to the DiscGenics Values.

Requirements

Experience with 21 CFR 211 and/or 21 CFR 820 and/or 21 CFR 1271
Familiarity and experience with International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines
Experience performing internal and/or external audits
Able to proactively identify quality gaps, and implement appropriate solutions that consider the needs of all company departments
Strong communication and technical writing skills
Impeccable attention to detail
Team leadership skills and team player
Adheres to and leads with the Company Values of Integrity, Innovation, Accuracy, Teamwork, and Stewardship.
Regular and predictable attendance.
Ability to report to work unimpaired
Minimum 8-10 years’ experience in Quality Management in life sciences (directly in cell therapy, biologics, or other related biopharma sectors), with specific successful management experience in building and successfully implementing a QMS.
Minimum bachelor's degree in relevant field, advanced degree preferred.

Nice To Haves

Considerable experience with successful eQMS and/or other Quality information system RFP process, contract negotiations, implementation, and roll out.
Considerable experience with cell therapy comparability research and other forms of testing/analysis inclusive of release testing (including potency assay development) and stability testing preferred.
Considerable experience in cell therapy cGMP manufacturing for both late-stage and clinical and commercial launch preferred (inclusive of BLA submission and approval).

Responsibilities

Serve as Management Representative for DiscGenics, including facilitation of Management Review. Identify trends in quality metrics to assess the effectiveness of the QMS and devise plans to improve quality systems.
Develop and fully implement a Quality Management System that is compliant with FDA and applicable global market regulations.
Navigate multiple regulatory requirements including FDA 21 CFR Parts 210/211, 600-680, 820, and 1271, Japan PMDA regulations, and ICH guidelines.
Fully implement an electronic quality management system (eQMS) and/or other Quality information system to support compliance of quality systems.
Establish and maintain design control, quality by design (QBD), and risk management programs.
Qualify raw materials and components and their suppliers, and ensure quality agreements are in place.
Oversee adherence to quality system, manufacturing batch records/SOP’s, and applicable in-process and final safety and release testing for IDCT cGMP dose manufacturing.
Responsible for ensuring that documented evidence exists that demonstrates the conformance of products to pre-defined specification criteria and for release of such products.
Execute external quality audits of suppliers as required per internal procedures.
Supports clinical trial execution compliance to the appropriate SOP’s for both DGx and CRO vendors.
Responsible for document control, internal quality audits, complaint and corrective action systems, supplier quality, and training.
This individual is responsible for control of nonconforming products including their segregation, quarantine, disposition, and disposal, and is the Chairperson of and the Material Review Board.
Build Quality (QA, QE, QC) staffing (inclusive of contractors) to support commercial facility and full cGMP readiness (inclusive of regulator audit readiness).
Maintains and evolves the Quality Control Analytical and Microbiology labs and the plant environmental monitoring program.
Complete QA/QC and other applicable sections of US FDA, and Japanese PMDA and other regulatory submissions.
Other duties as assigned.