Senior QA Operations Expert; Qualified Person (m/f/d)

Qualified Person (QP / Sachkundige Person)

Location: Schaftenau, Austria

The Qualified Person (QP / Sachkundige Person) is responsible for the final certification and release of medicinal products in accordance with § 7 of the Arzneimittelbetriebsordnung (AMBO 2009). Based in Austria, you will ensure that every batch is manufactured and tested in full compliance with the Austrian Medicines Act (AMG), the Marketing Authorization, and current GMP requirements. With clear legal accountability, you will verify product quality and documentation to ensure no batch is released—whether for the Austrian market or for export—without confirmed compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Release and Market Release (Certification) of secondary packed drug product batches (FDF batches) for commercial purposes.
• Tasks of a Qualified Person in accordance to the "Arzneimittelbetriebsordnung (AMBO) 2009" and Annex 16 to Volume 4 of the EU Guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practice for Medicinal Products for Human Use.
• Lead and oversee critical negotiations with internal and external stakeholders to secure compliant, timely outcomes.
• Provide people leadership (coaching, performance management, capability building) to drive a strong quality culture.
• Manage technical operations execution, ensuring effective day-to-day quality support and issue resolution.
• Collaborate across functions and boundaries to align on priorities, risks, and delivery commitments.
• Participation in escalations, recalls, critical complaint investigations, deviations, evaluation of process changes
• Plan and deliver projects to agreed quality, scope, and timelines; ensure readiness for key milestones.
• Ensure inspection and audit readiness; coordinate responses and drive timely, sustainable CAPAs. Support preparation of and participation in audits and inspections
• Maintain and improve Quality Management System processes to meet cGMP and GxP requirements.
• Oversee release management activities to ensure compliant disposition decisions and documentation quality.
• Report technical complaints, adverse events, and special case scenarios related to Novartis products within 24 hours of receipt.
• Coordinate distribution of marketing samples (where applicable) in accordance with applicable procedures and compliance standards.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience in Audit and Inspection Management, including inspection readiness and follow-up actions.
• Strong working knowledge of cGMP and broader GxP requirements within a regulated environment resulting in strong decision making skills.
• Hands-on experience with Release Management and compliant batch disposition processes.
• Solid expertise in Quality Management Systems (QMS), Quality Assurance, and Quality Compliance.
• Background in Technical Operations with strong technological aptitude and a focus on continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated people leadership capability with sound decision-making (correctly interprets analyses and evaluations and correctly identifies which measures should be taken) in a patient-focused environment.
• Strong collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and ability to navigate ambiguity effectively.
• High commitment to data integrity and digital proficiency; fluent English required.

Novartis Austria is one of the most modern and innovative manufacturing sites in the Novartis network. The sites in Tirol have approximately 3,500 employees and there are approximately 350 employees in the marketing & sales office in Vienna. The site in Tirol is in the middle of the Austrian Alps with excellent infrastructure.

Benefits & Rewards

In accordance with Austrian law, we are obliged to disclose the minimum salary as stated in the collective bargaining agreement. For this position the minimum salary is € 73.122,90/year (on a full-time basis). In most cases, the actual salary will be higher, as we strive to maintain a competitive position in the market and consider your previous experience, qualifications, and individual competencies.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and Accommodation:

If because of a medical condition, physical disability or a neurodiverse condition you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please reach out to disabilities.austria@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request as well as your contact information. The support which we can provide will include advice on suitable positions as well as guidance at all stages of the application process. Austrian law provides candidates the opportunity to involve the local disability representative, Behindertenvertrauensperson (BVP), in the application process. If you would like to request this, please let us know in advance as a note on your CV.