Senior Manager, Quality Assurance

Vera Therapeutics, Inc.•Brisbane, CA

3d•$140,000 - $190,000

About The Position

Vera Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for serious immunological diseases. Vera Therapeutics’ mission is to advance treatments that target the source of disease in order to change the standard of care for patients. Vera Therapeutics’ lead product candidate is atacicept, a fusion protein self-administered at home as a subcutaneous once weekly injection that blocks both B-cell Activating Factor (BAFF) and A Proliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL), which stimulate B cells to produce autoantibodies contributing to certain autoimmune diseases, including IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and lupus nephritis. Beyond IgAN, Vera Therapeutics is evaluating additional diseases where the reduction of autoantibodies by atacicept may prove clinically meaningful. In addition, Vera Therapeutics holds an exclusive license agreement with Stanford University for a novel, next generation fusion protein targeting BAFF and APRIL, known as VT-109, with wide therapeutic potential across the spectrum of B-cell–mediated diseases. Vera Therapeutics is also evaluating the development of MAU868, a monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize infection with BK virus, which can have devastating consequences in kidney transplant recipients. Vera Therapeutics retains all global developmental and commercial rights to atacicept, VT-109, and MAU868. For more information, please visit www.veratx.com. Our values are the cornerstone of our culture. Our values inspire us every day and guide everything we do—from how we hire great people, to advancing our mission together, to achieving our ultimate goal to improve medical treatment for patients suffering from immunological diseases. The Senior Manager, Quality Assurance (QA), will report to the Director, QA Drug Substance and is primarily responsible for QA function for Cell Bank and Drug Substance (DS). The position is responsible for collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure both clinical and commercial Drug Substances meet regulatory requirements and internal Vera standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of experience in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field or a Master’s degree with 7+ years of experience in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field.
Minimum 6+ years of experience in a GMP Quality, Compliance, and/or Regulatory setting.
Minimum 6+ years in a GMP QA role, and preferably direct work experience in either Manufacturing or QC, as well.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in a project team environment, within department, among functional groups and among external collaborators.
Innovative skills with problem solving and peer influence.
In-depth knowledge of FDA, ISO, EMA, GMP and ICH quality systems and regulatory requirements.
Experience of working with external partners and biologics DS manufacturing.
Strong attention to detail is a must.
Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
Outstanding organizational skills.
Ability to operate in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary industrial environment.
Capable and comfortable with normally receiving no instructions on routine work and general instructions on new assignments.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with Cell Bank is a plus.
Experience with process validation is a plus.

Responsibilities

Support the oversight of the quality and compliance, primarily cell bank and biologics DS manufacturing.
Support implementation of strategies and tactics to promote and maintain GxP compliance.
Provide quality support on tech transfers.
Liaise with CMO Quality partners to communicate QA policy and procedures.
Collaborate with contract manufacturers and internal stakeholders to address deviations/ investigations and compliance issues.
Responsible for material disposition of cell banks, commercial and clinical DS.
Review executed batch records and associated documentation for material disposition.
Review and approve GMP documentation such as master batch records, deviations, change controls, specifications, and various other protocol and reports to support GMP production.
Provide quality support for validations including process validation, shipping validation, cleaning validation, etc.
Provides support during both internal and regulatory agency audits as required.
Perform Person-in-Plant duties, as required.
Participate in Material Review Board as required.
Helps define and implement appropriate quality standards/specification, methods, systems, and metrics for clinical and commercial quality operations.
Act as the Quality representative on assigned product teams to advocate compliance and quality assurance.
Participate in Quality Agreements negotiation with external partners.
Support product lifecycle and continued process verification.
Availability for 5-15% travel, both domestically and internationally.