Technical Program Manager - Quality Systems

Abbott • Columbus, OH

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This position works out of our Columbus, OH in the Nutrition Division. This role within Abbott Nutrition’s Global Engineering, Manufacturing Technology & Innovation (MT&I) team leads the global governance, strategic direction, and continuous improvement of enterprise Quality Management System (QMS) programs supporting Abbott Nutrition's manufacturing, engineering, and innovation network. The Technical Program Manager - Quality Systems is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness, sustainability, and regulatory compliance of technical (Buildings, Facilities, Utilities, and Equipment) Quality System (QS) elements while aligning quality strategies with engineering requirements and business objectives. This role serves as a key advisor to leadership, drives enterprise-wide quality system improvements, and partners with manufacturing, quality, engineering, and regulatory stakeholders to strengthen the overall quality framework across Abbott Nutrition.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, Life Sciences, or related technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in quality systems, quality assurance, manufacturing, engineering, regulatory compliance, or related technical leadership roles
• Demonstrated expertise in Quality Management Systems, GMPs, quality risk management, audit programs, corrective and preventive action systems, and regulatory compliance within regulated manufacturing environments
• Strong knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements and quality standards governing infant formula, nutritional products, food manufacturing, or comparable regulated industries
• Experience leading complex cross-functional programs and initiatives in a global organization
• Proven ability to monitor quality system performance, identify risk trends, drive continuous improvement, and implement effective preventive and corrective actions
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills with the ability to balance quality, compliance, business, and operational objectives
• Demonstrated success influencing stakeholders and obtaining alignment across multiple functions and levels of leadership
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, facilitation, and project management skills
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections, third-party audits, and enterprise-level quality transformation initiatives
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including executive leadership
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, highly matrixed global environment
• Self-directed, results-oriented professional with a strong sense of ownership and accountability

Nice To Haves

• Relevant technical background or subject matter expertise in design, commissioning, and validation of buildings/facilities/utilities, equipment and/or production processes for nutritional products or similar industries is preferred.
• Knowledge of digital quality systems, data analytics, and quality performance dashboards

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, development, execution, and continuous improvement of global equipment and facility-based Quality System programs to support Abbott Nutrition’s operational, engineering, quality, and regulatory objectives
• Serve as the Quality System subject matter expert and strategic owner for technical QMS subsystems, ensuring long-term effectiveness, sustainability, performance, and alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to manufacturing sites, quality organizations, engineering teams, and project teams regarding Quality System requirements and implementation strategies
• Act as the document owner for assigned Quality System elements, maintaining policies, procedures, standards, and processes to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations and Abbott Quality Requirements (AQR)
• Support sites globally to ensure local procedures and practices are aligned with enterprise-level quality requirements and expectations
• Develop and maintain quality system metrics and reporting tools that provide visibility to leadership and support effective decision-making
• Monitor the health and performance of technical Quality Systems using data-driven approaches to identify trends, emerging risks, and opportunities for improvement before failures occur
• Anticipate and understand business challenges, proactively identifying tactical and strategic risks while developing effective mitigation plans
• Evaluate the impact of regulatory changes, industry trends, and emerging best practices on assigned Quality Systems and drive implementation of required changes.
• Provide consultation for the successful resolution of audit observations, investigations, and corrective actions, including evaluation and replication of improvements across the Abbott Nutrition network
• Provide Quality System impact assessments and technical recommendations for significant projects, regulatory changes, remediation activities, and business initiatives
• Serve as a representative for Abbott Nutrition with AQR, external auditors, industry organizations, and other Abbott divisions as appropriate
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement, governance activities, and cross-functional alignment for quality system programs and initiatives
• Benchmark internal and external best practices and leverage cross-functional and cross-divisional learnings to improve quality system effectiveness
• Act as a change champion for technical Quality System elements and support adoption of new processes, technologies, and business practices
• Develop and maintain business continuity plans including training programs, playbooks, documentation, succession planning, and knowledge transfer resources to ensure long-term sustainability of assigned systems
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to quality, manufacturing, and engineering personnel across the organization

Benefits

• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and the FreeU education benefit—an affordable and convenient path to earning a bachelor’s degree.

What This Job Offers

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