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Quality Assurance Operations Lead

Hybrid in La Almunia de Doña Godina·Full-time·Added yesterday (last checked 15 Oct)

Novartis

24 open roles

Overview

Salary
€45,100 - €83,700 a year

About €2,720 - €4,580 a month after tax.

Work mode
Hybrid, La Almunia de Doña Godina
Contract
Full-time
Spanish
Fluent
English
Required
Experience
5+ years
Education
University degree

Visa options

  • The ad rules out sponsorship

    The advert says visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role.

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Skills

Requirements

What we're looking for

  • Scientific degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, or Biology
  • 5+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with strong knowledge of QA Operations and quality requirements.
  • Strong understanding of cGMP regulations, regulatory requirements, and pharmaceutical quality standards.
  • Solid knowledge of aseptic processes and aseptic manufacturing practices.
  • Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, teamwork mindset, and ability to work with urgency on assigned tasks.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to support smooth and safe production operations, drive productivity improvements through new technologies and processes.
  • Fluent in Spanish and English, both written and spoken.

Nice to have

  • Previous Experience as a certified Qualified Person is highly valued.

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

€45,100.00 - €83,700.00

At Novartis, we're committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and a minimum of 14 weeks paid parental leave.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role:

  • Spain: EUR 45,100 - 83,700

The salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Further details will be provided during the application process.

Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics.

Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf

Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

Visa & relocation

This role is La Almunia de Doña Godina, Spain. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

The role

The Quality Assurance Operations Lead plays a critical role in ensuring that products are released with the highest standards of quality, compliance, and patient safety. This role oversees the release of sterile injectable products manufactured in line with the Quality System, current registrations, GMP, EMA, AEMPS, the Novartis Quality Manual, and all applicable regulatory requirements.

As a key quality leader on site, the position provides strategic oversight of manufacturing operations, ensuring that commercial activities remain fully compliant and inspection-ready. The role also leads the people, processes, and technical resources within the Quality Assurance Operations department, driving effective QA support, continuous improvement, and a strong quality culture across site operations.

What you'll do

  • Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of compliance with applicable quality standards, including GMP, AEMPS,EMA the Novartis Quality Manual, and site quality procedures, while promoting a strong quality culture across the organization.
  • Oversee QA Operations activities, including product release, documentation management, SOP approval, training, resource planning, shift organization for QPs and QA Officers, and professional development of team members.
  • Ensure quality oversight of manufacturing operations, maintenance, qualification, calibration, revalidation, process validation, cleaning validation, equipment qualification, and new projects requiring QA Operations support.
  • Manage and approve quality processes including OOS, OOT, OOE, deviations, change controls, CAPA, complaints, recalls, returns, investigations, and related corrective and preventive actions in accordance with cGMP and SOPs.
  • Ensure timely escalation and communication of quality and cGMP issues, non-conformities, product-impacting incidents, and substantial irregularities involving products already placed on the market, including communication to relevant internal stakeholders and competent authorities when required.
  • Support audits, inspections, and quality reviews by participating in authority and corporate audits, annual self-inspection planning, annual training planning, and Annual Product Quality Review preparation and review.
  • Monitor, report, and drive quality performance by tracking assigned indicators, ensuring projects and responsibilities are completed on time, and supporting business continuity in collaboration with Site Management, Quality, Quality Control, and Production leaders.
  • Provide QA support to commercial operations while ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, order, cleanliness, internal communication, and external communication requirements within the area of responsibility.

Job Description Summary

Location: La Almunia de Doña Godina (Zaragoza, Spain)

Deadline for applications: 29th October 2026.

About Novartis

Novartis is a global healthcare company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, operating across the pharmaceutical, generics, biosimilars, and eye care sectors. With over 100,000 employees worldwide and a presence in more than 140 countries, it is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, known for innovative medicines in areas such as oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular health.

In Spain, Novartis has a significant presence with offices in Barcelona and Madrid, employing a diverse workforce across clinical development, data science, IT, and audit functions. The company is a major employer of international talent, offering roles in English and fostering a multicultural, science-driven environment. For international professionals, Novartis provides structured career paths in clinical research and development, with opportunities to work on global projects from its Spanish hubs.

Industry
Pharma
Founded
1796
Employees
100,000–200,000
Headquarters
Basel, Switzerland
In Spain
Barcelona, Madrid

Good to know if you are moving

  • Novartis operates in English as its corporate language, making it accessible for international professionals without local language requirements.
  • The Barcelona office hosts a large hub for clinical development and global functions, offering roles in data science, clinical programming, and medical affairs.
  • Spain is a key market for Novartis, with a strong pipeline of clinical trials and digital health initiatives.
  • The company offers structured career paths and global mobility programs, allowing employees to move between countries and functions.
  • Novartis provides a comprehensive relocation package for international hires, including visa support and settling-in assistance.

In their own words

Additional information

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

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we'll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

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