Section Head QC

About the Role

Cipla is seeking a Section Head QC for a full-time position in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role involves leading the Quality Control section at the Cipla Saudi Site, ensuring the timely execution of QC Laboratory Qualifications/Validation activities, instrument and equipment procurement, and area qualification.

The Section Head QC will provide scientific and analytical troubleshooting support for OOS/OOT, atypical results, laboratory deviations, impurity evaluations, and regulatory responses, while maintaining compliance with cGMP, data integrity, SFDA, and global regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality Control section, overseeing laboratory qualifications, validations, and area qualifications.
• Manage the procurement of new instruments and equipment for the QC laboratory, including the preparation of required documents (URS, SIA, PRA & GxP).
• Ensure all received instruments and equipment are qualified/validated according to SOPs and protocols.
• Plan and prioritize QC activities, including scheduled calibrations and AMCs for all instruments and equipment.
• Review and approve protocols, reports, chromatographic data, analytical justifications, and laboratory documentation.
• Ensure right-first-time execution and timely closure of assigned QC activities.

Compliance and Investigations

• Ensure ALCOA++ compliance for raw data, electronic systems, audit trail review, and laboratory records.
• Maintain inspection readiness for SFDA, EU GMP, MHRA, WHO, and PIC/S requirements.
• Support regulatory and customer audits, providing sound analytical justification for deficiency responses.
• Lead investigations into atypical results, laboratory incidents, and deviations using scientific RCA tools.
• Evaluate method, instrument, sample, analyst, and system suitability-related variables.
• Define and verify the effectiveness of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to prevent recurrence.

Team Development and Laboratory Excellence

• Build capability of analysts and team leaders to support new product introduction, technology transfer, and inspection readiness for regulated markets.
• Train analysts and team leaders in advanced analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC, GC, UV, FTIR, and dissolution.
• Drive Right-First-Time (RFT) documentation, KPI monitoring, workload planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promote a culture of compliance, safety, and scientific decision-making within the section.

Qualifications and Experience

• Candidates should possess 5-10 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead Quality Control operations in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of cGMP, data integrity principles, and global regulatory requirements (SFDA, EU GMP, MHRA, WHO, PIC/S).
• Proficiency in analytical troubleshooting and root cause analysis for laboratory investigations.

Work Type and Location

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.