Associate Director, Quality Assurance (Quality Management System)

Job Description

For over 130 years, we have pioneered groundbreaking science. Today, we are driven by continuous innovation to develop breakthrough medicines, vaccines and technologies. Rooted in direct experience on the farm and in the clinic, we work hand in hand with our customers every step of the way. Our singular focus is to empower those who care for animals, helping them manage their vital responsibility with confidence. Because when it comes to animal health, no one does it like we do.

 

We are looking for an inspiring leader to shape and champion our laboratory Quality Management System across our international sites.

 

In this role, you will collaborate closely with our talented laboratory managers and technical teams to harmonise our quality procedures, simplify documentation practices and foster a collaborative culture of compliance.

 

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation to carry out the following:

 

• Lead the multi-site laboratory Quality Management System, ensuring alignment with ISO 17025 or comparable standards, corporate quality expectations and consistent implementation across sites in Newport (UK), Dublin (IRL) and Lawrence (Kansas-USA)

• Partner with laboratory managers and technical teams to define, harmonise and maintain quality procedures, documentation practices and compliance controls

• Serve as the primary liaison with global accreditation bodies and third‑party auditors, managing audit readiness, corrective actions and accreditation cycles

• Maintain and improve documentation control, change management and internal audit programmes

• Monitor quality performance across sites, analyse trends and provide KPI reporting to senior leadership

• Apply risk‑based quality principles to identify vulnerabilities, prioritise action, and strengthen processes

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, evaluating the effectiveness of implemented changes and ensuring standardised adoption across labs

• Provide functional leadership, coaching and training to site Quality Representatives to build quality capability and ensure consistent practices across locations

• Support integration of new technologies, methods and digital tools into the quality framework as the lab network evolves

• Stay current with global certification requirements, industry best practices and trends in scientific testing quality systems

 

 

What skills you will need:

In order to excel in this role, you will more than likely have:

 

• 5+ years of quality experience within an accredited environment, preferably a scientific testing laboratory

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline required; advanced degree or quality certification (e.g., ASQ, Lead Auditor) preferred

• Strong expertise with ISO 17025, ISO 9001 or comparable lab-quality frameworks

• Proven experience managing external audits, accreditation activities, CAPA programmes and continuous improvement efforts

• Strong analytical skills with experience generating and interpreting quality metrics, audit results and operational data

• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder‑management skills in a highly cross‑functional environment

• Demonstrated ability to train teams, influence without direct authority and support a global or multi‑site structure

• Willingness to travel internationally 15-20%

 

 

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs.

 

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process.

 

We are committed to flexible working where possible, and this is why our Company has introduced a new hybrid working model for office-based colleagues around the world.

Please feel free to speak to us about what flexibility means to you during your application.

 

So, if you are ready to:

Invent solutions to meet unmet healthcare needs, please apply today.

Required Skills:

Audit Management, Coaching, Collaboration, Influencing Skills, ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 9001, Quality Management Systems (QMS), Stakeholder Management

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

10/17/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.