Specialist 2, Validation

Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences

  • Fort Washington, PA
  • 1 day ago

    Highlights

    Incoming Sampling & Inspection: Perform compliant sampling, physical testing, and incoming inspection of raw chemical components, bulk drug products, container closures, labels, and packaging components. Audit & Inspection Readiness: Actively support internal quality audits and external regulatory inspections (e.g., FDA); assist in documenting, investigating, and resolving audit observations.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationFort Washington, PA

    Description

    Position Summary:
    • The Specialist 2, Validation / Technical Assurance provides critical testing, sampling, incoming material inspection, and technical support for the Quality Assurance department within the warehouse/logistics area. This individual serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for sampling and inspection operations covering chemical components, raw materials, bulk products, containers/closures, labeling, and primary/secondary packaging materials, ensuring strict adherence to cGMP, FDA regulations, company SOPs, and safety standards.

    Roles and Responsibilities:

    • Incoming Sampling & Inspection: Perform compliant sampling, physical testing, and incoming inspection of raw chemical components, bulk drug products, container closures, labels, and packaging components.
    • Packaging Disposition & Material Review: Support packaging material reviews, line clearance, component release, and disposition workflows within the warehouse and production areas.
    • Laboratory Sample Coordination: Accurately prepare, label, package, document, and transfer samples to the Analytical/QC testing laboratories under strict chain-of-custody protocols.
    • SOPs & Continuous Improvement: Draft, review, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); assist with process improvements, Lean manufacturing, and Operational Excellence (OpEx) projects.
    • Audit & Inspection Readiness: Actively support internal quality audits and external regulatory inspections (e.g., FDA); assist in documenting, investigating, and resolving audit observations.
    • Investigations & Deviations: Participate in quality investigations, non-conformances (Client), Out of Specification (OOS) findings, and root-cause analysis (RCA) within automated quality systems.
    • Training & Mentorship: Serve as an SME to train, mentor, and qualify incoming sampling technicians and inspection personnel on cGMP techniques and sampling tools.
    • Component Tracking & Metrics: Track annual testing cycles, re-inspection schedules, vendor qualification samples, and component shelf-life status in ERP/inventory systems.
    • Compliance & Record Keeping: Maintain accurate, contemporaneous Good Documentation Practices (GDP) across Electronic Batch Records (eBR), LIMS, and SAP.

    Qualifications & Experience:

    • Education: High School Diploma or GED required (Associate or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Life Sciences, or related field is a plus).
    • Experience: Minimum 4+ years of hands-on experience in a Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical, or OTC manufacturing facility.
    • Logistics & Warehousing Systems: Demonstrated experience with warehouse management systems (WMS), inventory control, and raw material intake workflows.
    • Quality & cGMP Rigor: Strong knowledge of cGMP guidelines, 21 CFR Part 210/211, and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
    • Communication & Collaboration: Proven ability to communicate effectively across warehouse operators, quality control, lab analysts, and regulatory teams.
    • Technical Systems & Tools
    • ERP: SAP (WM/MM/QM modules preferred) or similar enterprise ERP.
    • LIMS: Laboratory Information Management Systems (SampleManager, LabWare, etc.).
    • Quality & Manufacturing Systems: Electronic Batch Records (eBR), TrackWise, Veeva Vault, or MasterControl.
    • Office Applications: Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • Prior experience with AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) sampling tables (e.g., ANSI/ASQ Z1.4).
    • Background supporting Quality Control (QC), incoming inspection, or Quality Assurance (QA) release.
    • Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, or continuous improvement initiatives.

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