Technical Program Manager - Quality Systems - Columbus, OH

Abbott • Columbus, OH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Technical Program Manager - Quality Systems works in Abbott Nutrition’s Global Engineering, Manufacturing Technology & Innovation team in Columbus, Ohio. The role leads global governance, strategic direction, and continuous improvement of enterprise Quality Management System programs supporting Abbott Nutrition’s manufacturing, engineering, and innovation network. It is responsible for the effectiveness, sustainability, and regulatory compliance of technical Quality System elements for buildings, facilities, utilities, and equipment, while aligning quality strategies with engineering requirements and business objectives. The position advises leadership, drives enterprise-wide improvements, and partners with manufacturing, quality, engineering, and regulatory stakeholders to strengthen Abbott Nutrition’s quality framework.

The role leads global technical Quality System programs, owns assigned system elements and documentation, guides implementation across sites, and uses metrics and data to monitor performance and identify risks and opportunities. It also evaluates regulatory and industry developments, supports audits and corrective actions, assesses quality impacts of projects and business initiatives, and coordinates governance and stakeholder engagement. The position develops continuity and knowledge-transfer resources and provides coaching and mentoring across the organization. Travel is required up to 25% of the time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, Life Sciences, or a 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 in 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, balancing quality, compliance, business, and operational objectives.
• Demonstrated success influencing stakeholders and obtaining alignment across functions and leadership levels.
• 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, including communicating complex technical concepts to diverse audiences and executive leadership.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, highly matrixed global environment.
• Self-directed, results-oriented approach with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Knowledge of digital quality systems, data analytics, and quality performance dashboards.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, development, execution, and continuous improvement of global equipment- and facility-based Quality System programs.
• Serve as subject matter expert and strategic owner for technical Quality Management System subsystems, ensuring their effectiveness, sustainability, performance, and alignment with business and regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to manufacturing sites, quality organizations, engineering teams, and project teams on Quality System requirements and implementation strategies.
• Own assigned Quality System documents and maintain policies, procedures, standards, and processes in alignment with regulatory expectations and Abbott Quality Requirements.
• Support global sites in aligning local procedures and practices with enterprise quality requirements.
• Develop and maintain Quality System metrics and reporting tools to support leadership visibility and decision-making.
• Monitor technical Quality System health and performance using data to identify trends, emerging risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Identify tactical and strategic risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Evaluate regulatory changes, industry trends, and emerging best practices and drive necessary system changes.
• Consult on 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.
• Represent Abbott Nutrition with Abbott Quality Requirements stakeholders, external auditors, industry organizations, and other Abbott divisions as appropriate.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement, governance, and cross-functional alignment for Quality System programs and initiatives.
• Benchmark internal and external best practices and apply cross-functional and cross-divisional learnings to improve Quality System effectiveness.
• Build the case for change for technical Quality System elements and support adoption of new processes, technologies, and business practices.
• Develop and maintain business continuity plans, training programs, playbooks, and knowledge-transfer resources for assigned systems.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to quality, manufacturing, and engineering personnel.

Benefits

• Employees may qualify for free medical coverage in the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• Retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Freedom 2 Save student debt program.
• FreeU education benefit, an affordable and convenient path to earning a bachelor’s degree.
• Career development opportunities with an international company.

What This Job Offers

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