Director QA External Manufacturing
Lundbeck Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark · DKK 1M/yr
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing · 5,001-10,000 employees
About the role
The Director will lead the global QA External Manufacturing organization, overseeing quality governance and compliance for Contract Manufacturing Organizations. Responsibilities include driving continuous improvement in quality systems, managing day-to-day operations like batch release, and fostering strategic partnerships to support business growth.
What they look for
Requirements
Candidates must possess extensive leadership experience in a complex global environment and significant expertise in GMP and pharmaceutical manufacturing with CMOs. A strong background in building governance models and managing high-performing teams is essential for this role.
Benefits
Full description
Director, QA External Manufacturing
At Lundbeck, our purpose is to restore brain health so every person can be their best. As our portfolio continues to grow and new products are introduced to patients around the world, External Manufacturing is becoming an increasingly important priority for our business.
We are therefore looking for an experienced Director, QA External Manufacturing to lead our global quality oversight of Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs). This is a unique opportunity to shape how Lundbeck collaborates with external manufacturing partners by strengthening governance, building scalable quality processes, and ensuring that quality and compliance continue to enable business growth.
If you can develop organizations, build strategic partnerships, and drive quality excellence in a global CMO environment, we would love to hear from you.
Your new role
As Director, QA External Manufacturing, you will play a pivotal role in shaping one of Lundbeck's key strategic capabilities. Beyond ensuring GMP compliance and product quality, you will lead the continued development of Lundbeck's global quality governance model for External Manufacturing, enabling consistent oversight across an expanding network of manufacturing partners while supporting new product introductions and future business growth.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Lead, coach, and develop the QA External Manufacturing organization.
- Strengthen Lundbeck's QA governance model for CMOs, ensuring clear accountability, decision-making, and effective quality oversight.
- Develop robust, efficient, and scalable processes and ways of working that support a growing global CMO network.
- Lead the day-to-day operations in QA External Manufacturing ensuring timely batch release, deviation and change control handling while supporting projects involving CMOs.
- Drive harmonization and continuous improvement of Quality Systems, risk management, supplier oversight, and governance across external manufacturing.
- Build strong strategic partnerships with CMOs based on collaboration, transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Support new product introductions, technology transfers, lifecycle management, and network expansion.
- Provide leadership in managing quality risks, critical quality issues, and complex cross-functional decisions.
- Ensure compliance with global GMP requirements, Lundbeck Quality Standards, and regulatory expectations.
Your future team
You will lead the QA External Manufacturing organization within Corporate Product Quality (CPQ) and be responsible for a team of 10 highly skilled QA professionals supporting Lundbeck's global network of CMOs.
You will collaborate closely with colleagues across Pharmaceutical- and bioproduction, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, Product Development, Procurement, and Commercial Operations. Externally, you will build trusted relationships with key manufacturing partners around the world. Lundbeck is engaged with CMOs in Europe, Asia and North America which require flexibility due to shifting meeting hours.
The position is based in Valby, Denmark. Some international travel is required, approximately 10-20 days per year.
What you bring to the team
You are a collaborative and inspiring leader with a passion for quality, people, and continuous improvement. You thrive in complex global organizations and enjoy balancing strategic development with daily operations.
We imagine that you bring:
- Extensive leadership experience and a strong execution mindset with the ability to get things done and deliver results in a complex, fast-moving environment.
- Significant experience working with CMOs and external manufacturing.
- Deep knowledge of GMP and pharmaceutical manufacturing throughout the product lifecycle.
- Demonstrated experience building or strengthening governance models, operating models, or Quality Systems within External Manufacturing.
- Experience developing and leading high-performing teams and building strong partnerships across complex stakeholder landscapes.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to balance compliance, patient safety, operational performance, and commercial priorities.
It would be an advantage if you also have:
- Qualified Person (QP) experience or eligibility.
- Experience supporting global product launches, technology transfers, or manufacturing network expansion.
- Experience interacting with regulatory authorities and supporting health authority inspections.
Our promise to you
Lundbeck offers an inspiring workplace and innovative culture, where our curiosity, accountability and adaptability enable us to transform lives. We want to go faster and further on addressing the big unmet needs of people living with brain disorders. We offer rewarding careers with a mix of exciting tasks and development opportunities that are balanced with initiatives focused on your well-being.
We need every brain in the game, and at Lundbeck, we are committed to building a workforce that is as diverse as the people we serve. Read more about our commitment at www.lundbeck.com/global/about-us/our-commitment/diversity-and-inclusion.
Annual Base Salary Range: (1 005 000 - 1 381 600) DKK gross
At Lundbeck, we are committed to fair and transparent pay. Please note that the final base salary within the stated range will be based on relevant qualifications, skills, competencies, and level of proficiency as well as internal pay equity.
Apply now
Can you see yourself in this role? We want to hear from you. Does this sound like your dream job, but you’re not sure if you meet all the requirements? We still want to hear from you!
Upload your CV and include a few lines about your motivation for applying. We ask you not to include a photo or personal information that does not relate to your professional experience.
If you have questions or want to hear more, please contact Senior Director, Mathilde Lester Skals mals@lundbeck.com
Applications must be received by August 31st and are reviewed on an on-going basis.
Learn more about us at www.lundbeck.com, LinkedIn or Instagram (@h_lundbeck).
#EveryBrainInTheGame
This job ad is intended for individuals seeking a career opportunity with Lundbeck. We engage with recruitment and search firms where needed on the basis of a written agreement, and we do not accept unsolicited requests of any kind. If you work as a recruitment consultant, you are kindly instructed to refrain from contacting Lundbeck or the hiring manager directly with suggested candidates. If you violate this policy, you do so at your own risk and for your own account, and Lundbeck will not assume any liability nor pay any associated fees resulting from such violation.
Similar roles
-
** QA Technician
Omega Engineering Inc Swedesboro, New Jersey, United States · $52K–$58K/yr
-
Sr. Director/Executive Director, R&D/Clinical QA
Tris Pharma Inc South Brunswick, New Jersey, United States · $235K–$275K/yr
-
QA Engineer
WPP Production Sunnyvale, California, United States · $137K–$150K/yr
-
Specialist I, QA Operations
Forge Biologics Columbus, Ohio, United States
-
Senior Automation QA Engineer (Contract)
hedgehog lab Sofia, Sofia-City, Bulgaria
-
NDT III / QA Manager – North Slope, AK
MISTRAS Group North Slope Borough, Alaska, United States