Deputy Manager

Deputy Manager:

Join Us at Cohance Where Collaboration Powers Innovation and Purpose Fuels Impact

At Cohance, we believe the world needs more than medicine. It needs committed people, powerful science, and bold partnerships. As a global, technology-led CDMO, we collaborate with leading life sciences companies to deliver innovative solutions for a healthier world.

If you are passionate about quality excellence, supplier compliance, and driving continuous improvement across global supply chains, Cohance offers you the opportunity to grow, lead, and create meaningful impact.

Collaborate. Enhance. Deliver.

Position Summary

The Manager/Senior Manager Vendor Qualification will be responsible for establishing, maintaining, and continuously improving the supplier qualification and vendor management program across Cohance business units. The role ensures compliance with global regulatory requirements, GMP standards, and internal quality systems through effective qualification, risk assessment, auditing, and performance monitoring of suppliers, contract manufacturers, laboratories, and service providers.

The incumbent will work closely with Procurement, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and external stakeholders to ensure a robust and compliant supplier quality management system.

Key Responsibilities Vendor Qualification & Management

• Lead qualification, requalification, and lifecycle management of vendors supplying raw materials, APIs, excipients, packaging materials, engineering items, laboratory consumables, and GMP services.
• Develop and implement supplier qualification strategies based on risk assessments and regulatory expectations.
• Review supplier questionnaires, technical documents, certifications, licenses, and quality agreements.
• Evaluate supplier quality systems to ensure compliance with GMP, GDP, ICH, WHO, EU GMP, US FDA, MHRA, and other applicable regulations.
• Maintain Approved Vendor Lists (AVL) and ensure periodic review of supplier status.

Supplier Audits

• Plan, schedule, conduct, and manage supplier audits (onsite, remote, and hybrid).
• Prepare audit plans, checklists, reports, observations, and follow-up actions.
• Assess supplier compliance, data integrity controls, quality systems, change management processes, and manufacturing practices.
• Review supplier CAPAs and verify effectiveness of implemented actions.
• Support regulatory inspections involving supplier qualification programs.

Risk Management

• Perform supplier risk assessments considering criticality, material impact, compliance history, and business continuity.
• Implement risk-based qualification and monitoring approaches.
• Drive proactive mitigation strategies for supplier-related quality risks.

Compliance & Quality Systems

• Ensure compliance with corporate procedures, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in investigations related to supplier quality events, product complaints, deviations, and change controls.
• Support management reviews and periodic quality system assessments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Procurement and Supply Chain teams during new supplier selection and qualification.
• Provide quality support for alternate vendor approvals and business continuity initiatives.
• Partner with manufacturing sites and global stakeholders to harmonize supplier quality practices.

Training & Leadership

• Mentor and guide quality professionals involved in supplier qualification activities.
• Conduct GMP and supplier quality management training programs.
• Drive a culture of quality, compliance, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in pharmacy, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Life Sciences, or related discipline.
• Additional certifications in Quality Management, Lead Auditor Training, Six Sigma, or Regulatory Compliance will be an advantage.

Experience

• 10-12 years of relevant experience in Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality Management, Vendor Qualification, or Corporate Quality Assurance within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CDMO, or life sciences industry.
• Hands-on experience conducting supplier audits and managing supplier qualification programs.
• Experience with global regulatory inspections and customer audits preferred.

Why Join Us?

At Cohance, your work will matter. You will be part of a purpose-driven organization that empowers individuals to challenge the ordinary and deliver extraordinary outcomes. We are not just building careers; we are building the future of health, together.