Supplier Quality Associate

Capricor Therapeutics•San Diego, CA

3d•$70,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing transformative cell and exosome-based therapies for rare diseases. At the forefront of our innovation is Deramiocel ( CAP-1002 ), our lead cell therapy in late-stage development for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We are also harnessing our proprietary StealthXâ¢ exosome platform to unlock new possibilities in targeted delivery and vaccinology. Every program reflects our commitment to pushing the boundaries of science and delivering life-changing treatments to patients and families who need them most. The Supplier Quality Associate is a critical role responsible for overseeing the development and maintenance of a robust supplier quality program, managing external audit programs, and ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. This position will drive supplier qualifications, conduct risk-based audits, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain high-quality standards and support continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented professional with extensive experience in supplier quality management and GMP/GLP environments, capable of working independently to meet project goals while ensuring regulatory compliance. This role will play a pivotal part in upholding Capricor's commitment to quality and excellence in the development of innovative therapies. The team this person will be joining develops and maintains the Supplier Quality Program, conducts supplier qualifications and audits, manages SCAR activities, generates and manages Quality Agreements, and develops SOPs.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant Biological Science discipline required.
Experience: 3 years of experience in a GMP Quality Control laboratory or GMP/GLP setting required, with direct experience in Supplier Quality Management and corporate/supplier audits.
Supplier/Vendor Qualification: 3+ years of hands-on experience in qualifying suppliers and vendors, including risk assessments, capability evaluations, and ongoing performance monitoring.
SCAR Management: Experience managing Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), from initiation through closure, ensuring timely and effective resolution of quality issues.
SOP Development: Skilled in drafting, revising, and maintaining SOPs to support quality system effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
Communication and Teamwork: Excellent communication, time-management, and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively across departments.
Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to manage records, reports, and databases.
Multitasking: Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Work Environment Adaptability: Ability to gown and work in classified areas for audits or inspections.
Independent Work: Ability to independently perform tasks, generate reports, and escalate issues as needed.
Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional departments.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting audits is a plus.
Experience facilitating Supplier Quality Agreements is a plus.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Outlook, MS Office, and eQMS is a plus
ASQ CQA certification preferred; candidates without current certification must demonstrate a willingness and ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe.

Responsibilities

Develop and Maintain Supplier Quality Program: Create, implement, and sustain a comprehensive supplier quality program to ensure consistent quality across the supply chain.
Travel: Occasional travel may be required for supplier audits or vendor meetings.
Create Supplier Scorecards: Develop and maintain scorecards to evaluate supplier performance and drive accountability.
Ensure Audit Readiness: Maintain audit readiness and compliance with GMP and other regulatory standards.
Conduct Supplier Qualifications and Audits: Perform supplier qualifications and risk-based audits to ensure supplier compliance and quality.
Manage SCAR Activities: Oversee all supplier corrective action request (SCAR) processes, ensuring timely resolution of issues.
Collaborate on Material Specifications: Work with cross-departmental teams to develop and refine material specifications.
Prepare Quality Metrics: Compile and present quality metrics to stakeholders to support decision-making.
Address Quality Issues: Partner with internal teams to resolve supplier quality and audit-related challenges.
Drive Best Practices: Contribute to the development and implementation of best practices to enhance compliance and performance.
Perform Data Analysis: Conduct data analysis and maintain organized records, reports, and databases to support quality processes.
Implement Continuous Improvement: Recommend and implement measures to enhance quality processes and operational efficiency.
Present Data Internally: Deliver data-driven insights to support decision-making and quality initiatives.
Work Independently: Operate with minimal supervision to achieve project goals and meet deadlines.
Review and Approve Documents: Review and approve assigned documents to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Perform Additional Duties: Undertake other quality-related responsibilities as assigned to support organizational objectives.