Lead Quality Auditor

Overview

LabConnect improves lives by partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and clinical research organizations (CROs) to accelerate the development of new medicines around the world.

We are an independent, global, one-stop-shop focused on delivering Central Laboratory Services that are tailor-made, timely and flexible to meet the evolving study demands of traditional to increasingly complex trials. Additionally, we provide Functional Service Provider (FSP) Solutions, supporting our clients with scientific and technical expertise, acting as an extension of their team, coordinating all laboratory related needs, advising on strategies for lab data collection and providing end-to-end analytical and logistical solutions.

Job Summary
The Lead Quality Auditor executes internal and external audits, supports vendor and client audits, and drives post-audit actions to completion. This role strengthens audit readiness across the organization and supports the Director in maintaining global regulatory compliance.
Please note: this is a hybrid position requiring candidates to be within commuting distance to Johnson City, TN or Cleveland, OH, for onsite work 2-3 days a week.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Define the scope, communicate plans, and implement effective audits that are risk-based.
• Lead or serve as host for Client Audits, Vendor Audits, Internal Audits, Gap Analyses, Trial Specific Audits and other key auditing, risk mitigation, and regulatory assessment activities.
• Assisting leadership in assuring organizational readiness for audits and inspections.
• Provide audit-related insights, data, and trend reporting to support leadership decision making and escalation of compliance risks.
• Assist in management of Non-Conformance reporting and their related corrective and preventive measures.
• Apply risk-based thinking in evaluating evidence, determining audit observations, and prioritizing follow-up actions.
• Support inspection preparedness activities, including document retrieval, evidence coordination, and facilitating communication between internal stakeholders and inspectors.
• Execute the approved audit plan, ensuring timely planning, scheduling, and completion of assigned audits in alignment with risk and business priorities.
• Maintain and expand regulatory knowledge to the ICH Principles of GCP, General Data Privacy Regulations and Computer Systems Validation requirements, GLPs, CLIA, the CAP checklists, ISO 15189, and other applicable regulations/standards.
• Review, write, and edit Internal and External Audit reports and responses.
• Drive the closure of audit actions by collaborating with process owners, ensuring quality, completeness, and timely entry into the eQMS.
• Support vendor qualification, ongoing monitoring, and audit activities in alignment with vendor governance processes.
• Coach and support team members in audit and compliance practices to strengthen overall organizational capability.
• Working collaboratively across all functions including internal and external partners.
• Performs other related duties and tasks as necessary or as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Medical Technology, or Physical Science).
• Minimum of 6-8 years of experience in Quality within the clinical laboratory, central laboratory, biotech, or pharma industry with expertise in GxPs and ensuring regulatory compliance including interaction with Health Authorities. Must have minimally 4 years of auditing and inspections experience.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements (e.g., CLIA, CAP, ISO 15189, GxP, CFR Part 11, Annex 11, ISO9001, ICH guidelines) and industry standards.
• Very strong communication and collaboration skills, with timely decision making and risk management.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Skills and Ability

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional meetings and influence without authority.
• Ability to lead audit interviews, challenge stakeholders constructively, and maintain professionalism in escalated or sensitive audit situations.
• Strong computer skills (MS Office Suite, eQMS software, Document Control software) and the ability to quickly learn new software.
• Effective decision making and application of sound judgement in issue escalation to management with proposals and sense of urgency.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the occupant is regularly required or exposed to:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged use of computer and headphones for conference calls.
• Communicate effectively via phone, video, and email.
• Use hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment.

Travel Requirements: Up to 75%

Join our team and discover how your work can impact patients' lives around the world!

Some of the Perks our LabConnectors Love:

• Financial Security (Base Pay, 401k Match and Possible Annual Bonus Eligibility)
• Health Benefits beginning on date of hire
• PTO plan, plus 11 Paid Company Holidays, and 1 Day to Volunteer in your community
• Short and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and AD&D
• We celebrate our differences, which enriches our culture!

In addition to great perks and challenging work assignments, we invest in our people with career growth opportunities, globally. We believe in a friendly and collaborative environment with open lines of communication. While living out our values of People First, Quality Focused, Customer Centered, Technology Driven, and Accountability Always.
We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and value the diversity of our workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. To learn more about equal employment opportunity, please view the posters here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters
LabConnect also prioritizes the privacy and security of your personal data. All candidate information is handled in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). To learn more, please review our Privacy Notice on our website, by navigating to https://www.labconnect.com/
If you need assistance to complete your job application, search for a job opening, or submit an online application at LabConnect, please email talent@labconnect.com or call 1 (423) 722-3155.