Executive VP, Scientific Affairs

Vital Health America, LLC

Fairfield, NJ, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Education

Full Time

Job Description

Job Summary:The EVP, Scientific Affairs oversees the operations of the Quality Assurance and Quality Control Departments for all divisions across multiple locations and has overall responsibility for the technical operations and the strategic planning of adequate resources needed to ensure the required quality of laboratory operations meet business requirements and customer deliverables. They will develop, implement, and periodically evaluate the QC/QA Department activities to ensure the organization’s production operations, from raw materials to finished products, meet the quality, integrity, and efficiency standards set by the organization to meet the requirements of customers, consumers, and regulatory and accrediting agencies. The role is also responsible for ensuring cGMP compliance across all business divisions within the Company. The EVP, Scientific Affairs will be accountable for the timely release of products at all steps of the Manufacturing process, based on justifiable rationale, valid scientific data, process control items, etc.

Principle Responsibilities:

Directs all Scientific Affairs and assumes responsibility for all Quality related matters; sets priorities and oversees the daily efforts of the QC/QA Team.
Provides guidance and works with various Departments in maintaining cGMP compliance within all business divisions of the Company.
Initiates Quality processes that drive continual improvement within the organization.
Conducts internal quality control audits and random inspections of each site’s Quality Management System as required and periodically reports on status of quality control and operations to executive leadership and, when required, regulatory agencies.
Provides support for third party cGMP certification audits and ensures appropriate corrective actions are conducted.
Directly involved with on-site regulatory (FDA, NJ-DHHS, etc.) inspections as well as internal and third-party audits and writing and overseeing responses to audits to comply with cGMP and GLP. Serves as the contact person and co-hosts any regulatory agency audits and inspections and provides guidance in responding to any regulatory agency questions or observations.
Facilitates communication among production divisions and management. Provides support to Manufacturing and Product Development as required to troubleshoot production problems and collaborates with management and senior staff across production departments and roles to draft acceptable quality standards.
Evaluates internal and external laboratory capabilities. Recommends new testing procedures and equipment to support cGMP and customer specific requirements.
Develops and implement standards, methods, and procedures for inspection and testing, validation of systems and analytical processes, documentation, and change control systems that ensure the identity, purity, strength, and composition of ingredients and finished products are to specifications.
Evaluates production operations from a strategic level to ensure that products meet quality, integrity, functionality, and other specifications and requirements and monitor the compliance through robust internal audit program.
Ensures all laboratory controls and functions and all Quality Control functions as designated in 21 CFR GMP Part 110, 111 and 117 are in place, documented, monitored and enforced to maintain the QC Lab within a cGLP environment at all times.
Assess test results and approve recommended changes.
Review quality control documentation such as checklists, logs, and reports for effectiveness, accuracy, and relevance.
Select, upkeep, calibrate, recertify, and document all instrumentation in the QC lab.
Oversee lot release of components, raw materials, and finished products.
Develop raw material specifications and finished product specifications once material has been through the Product Development process and route for signature.
Ensure sampling and testing priorities are consistent with Manufacturing, Production, and Customer Service schedules.
Preparation of analytical documentation (OOS, deviation reports, test methods, change controls, Certificate of Analysis) for incoming raw materials and finished goods.
Review technical control documentation (SOPs, Batch Records, test methods, specifications, COAs, etc.) from a Quality and Compliance perspective; ensure continuous improvement of departmental SOPs to stay up to date with regulatory and compliance guidelines; create, revise, and gain approval to implement lab SOPs and procedures and to review qualification documents for laboratory instrument/software as is necessary.
Maintain and improve department performance to meet requirements of Regulatory Authorities as well as the policies and standard procedures of the company.
Ensure that all systems, laboratory controls, procedures and instructions are described adequately to enable assurance of quality of the test results generated in the QC laboratories.
Provide technical guidance for validation of analytical methods and develop overall strategy to manage all critical reagents, reference standard, and reference control materials used in the laboratory.
Establish proper communication channels to manage, mentor direct reports to higher levels of management capability and provide strategic leadership to further strengthen the platform with a highly functional QC team.
Plan strategically/proactively with management of other platforms to ensure that resources are allocated adequately to meet each program’s needs.
Ensure that QC decisions are aligned with governance from Company Procedures and regulatory requirements.
Coordinate management structure of the laboratory to build Analytical datasets (release, and analytical verification) for Starting materials, In Process and Finished goods.
Identify gaps and assist with annual budget at both CAPEX and Operation levels.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Supervision:

Direct – AVP, VP or Director of QC, QC/QA Team

Indirect – Production Staff

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directs and oversees the quality control and quality assurance departments and supervisory staff.
Train QC/QA Team as necessary and validate their work periodically.
Perform annual performance reviews that are timely and productive and develop training plans with direct reports.
Handle discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
Ensure staff are provided with corporate communications.
Ensure staff questions/concerns are communicated to management.

Additional Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each principal responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education: BS degree in Chemistry, Engineering or Life Sciences required. Advanced degree preferred.

Experience: 10 years in the manufacturing QC/QA field with a minimum of 5 years supervisory experience directing QC/QA and Documentation function within the Nutraceutical or Dietary Supplements industry is required. Solid overall knowledge of USP, FCC, and FDA guidelines as applied to testing of cosmetic and dietary supplement ingredients and finished goods. Experience leading FDA inspections is highly desirable. The desirable candidate will also be knowledgeable in analytical instrumentation (i.e., HPLC, GC, UV-Vis, FT-IR, Atomic Absorption, TLC and USP dissolution apparatus 1 and 2). Working knowledge of product stability studies and microbiological analysis of raw materials, in-process and finished goods required.

Physical Requirements: Work requires ability to lift up to 25 pounds; sitting, standing, walking, bending and/or stooping for periods of five hours or more; moving and examining objects at high and low reach, and reading for periods of three hours or more; prolonged periods working on a computer. Position requires normal visual acuity.

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

Proven experience managing technical services and staff.

Demonstrated knowledge of current cGMP requirements, regulations and standards to ensure the maintenance of the cGMP standard of quality.

Thorough understanding of quality control standards and methodologies.

Thorough understanding of manufacturing and production in the industry.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance work instructions, procedure manuals and SDS sheets.

Must have the ability to communicate effectively orally and in written form.

Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

Must understand and use advanced statistical methods.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Must have ability to solve complex problems involving multiple variables in standardized situations. Must have a deliberate and acute sense of documentation of all activities while in the manufacturing environment.

Must be proficient with and be able to communicate via e-mail. Must be proficient with and able to use computer software including word processors & spreadsheets (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access), and ERP System.

Proficient in oral and written communication skills.

Must be able to communicate effectively in a cross functional team environment to complete work tasks as instructed.

Must have sound judgment and decision-making skills.

Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated attention to detail and thoroughness are critical.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Strong supervisory and leadership skills.

Vital Health America is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Company DescriptionVital Health America is committed to manufacturing nutraceutical products of the best quality and features by adopting innovation in design and technology with the end target in mind. We can offer our clients a wide range of standard formulas to choose from or they can design their own unique supplement line. Our scale-up and industrialization experience means that the finished product is ready for large-scale production and commercialization, saving our clients both time and money.

Company Description

Vital Health America is committed to manufacturing nutraceutical products of the best quality and features by adopting innovation in design and technology with the end target in mind. We can offer our clients a wide range of standard formulas to choose from or they can design their own unique supplement line. Our scale-up and industrialization experience means that the finished product is ready for large-scale production and commercialization, saving our clients both time and money.