Senior Quality Assurance Specialist - Drug Substance at Cytokinetics in San Francisco, CA

Job description

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction. Reporting to the Associate Director for QA at Cytokinetics the QA Specialist for Drug Substance will perform review of batch documentation as part of the QA certification process. The role involves oversight and review of documentation relating to manufacturing, testing, release, and lifecycle management activities performed by Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), Contract Testing Laboratories (CTLs), and other GxP service providers. The candidate will be part of a team that provides QA support and advice to internal and external customers and will execute day-to-day quality issues as they arise at Cytokinetics. They will be part of teams who work with Contract Manufactures for Drug product (DP). The role will provide support to the Qualified Person (QP) function to oversee our QA activities as we continue to supply our products. Responsibilities Provide GMP Quality Assurance oversight for clinical and commercial manufacturing, and distribution activities performed at Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs). Perform Quality review of clinical and commercial batch records and supporting documentation to ensure compliance with cGMP requirements, approved manufacturing instructions and regulatory filings. Review manufacturing, and testing documentation to support batch disposition and product release. Review and approve deviations, investigations, CAPAs, change controls and associated Quality Management System records to ensure timely resolution and appropriate root cause analysis. Assess quality events for potential product impact and support risk-based quality decisions. Provide Quality support for technology transfers, process validation, engineering batches, process performance qualification (PPQ) and commercial launch activities. Review and approve GMP documentation including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Master Batch Records, specifications, protocols, reports and work instructions. Participate as the Quality representative on cross-functional teams supporting clinical and commercial programs. Support implementation of manufacturing, packaging and process improvements through the change management process. Ensure compliance with Cytokinetics Quality Management System requirements, cGMP regulations and applicable global regulatory expectations. Support qualification and ongoing Quality oversight of CMOs, contract laboratories and other GMP service providers. Participate in internal audits, supplier audits and regulatory inspections, including inspection readiness activities and support for responses to audit observations. Support Product Quality Reviews (PQRs), Annual Product Reviews (APRs), Quality Management Reviews and Quality Metrics reporting. Collaborate with Regulatory Affairs, Technical Operations, Supply Chain and Manufacturing partners to support CMC submissions, post-approval changes and regulatory commitments. Maintain GMP documentation and Quality records within the electronic Quality Management System (eQMS). Identify opportunities to improve Quality Systems and GMP processes and participate in continuous improvement initiatives. Provide guidance to internal stakeholders and external partners on GMP quality requirements. Perform other Quality Assurance duties as assigned to support business objectives. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering or technical discipline. Minimum of 5 years of experience within the biopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical industry, with at least 3 years in GMP Quality Assurance. Experience supporting clinical and/or commercial pharmaceutical manufacturing. Experience with oral solid dose pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging. Working knowledge of US FDA, EU EMA an