Global Supplier Quality Head

This is what you will do

We are looking for an experienced quality leader to drive the global oversight and lifecycle management of suppliers supporting Chiesi's pharmaceutical network. The position reports directly to the Global Quality Operations VP and leads a small team of Quality Subject matter experts.

The role is responsible for defining and implementing the global supplier quality strategy across Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), excipients, primary and secondary packaging materials, Device Constituent Parts (DCPs) used in inhalation products, and other critical GxP suppliers supporting both sterile and non-sterile products.

Acting as the global quality owner for supplier management, the position ensures a harmonized qualification, performance monitoring, risk management and governance framework across the manufacturing sites of Chiesi Farmaceutici SPA.

The role works in close collaboration with Global Procurement, Manufacturing Sites, Regulatory Affairs, Technical Development, External Quality and Supplier Audit functions to ensure consistent supplier quality oversight throughout the supply chain.

As this is a newly established global function, the role will require strong commitment, senior leadership engagement and the ability to promote, embed and lead a new approach across the organization.

You will be responsible for

Global Supplier Qualification & Lifecycle Management

• Defining the global supplier qualification and requalification strategy for APIs, excipients, packaging materials, Device Constituent Parts and critical GxP suppliers.
• Ensuring consistent supplier qualification standards and processes across all manufacturing sites.
• Governing supplier approval, conditional approval, probation and disqualification decisions.
• Maintaining oversight of the Approved Supplier List and supplier lifecycle status.
• Ensuring supplier qualification activities support business continuity and long-term supply strategies.

Supplier Quality Governance

• Establishing and maintaining the global supplier quality governance framework.
• Defining global standards, policies and procedures for supplier quality management.
• Providing supplier quality metrics to senior leadership and Leading escalation forums
• Driving harmonization of supplier quality processes across sites.

Supplier Performance Management

• Defining and monitoring supplier quality KPIs and performance indicators.
• Overseeing supplier scorecards, performance trending and quality reviews.
• Identifying recurring quality issues and driving effective improvement plans with suppliers.
• Supporting procurement and business stakeholders in supplier performance evaluations.
• Escalating critical supplier quality concerns and ensuring appropriate mitigation actions.

Supplier Quality Risk Management

• Implementing a risk-based framework for supplier oversight  to define a risk mitigation strategy and supporting business continuity plans.
• Leading supplier risk and criticality assessments.

Supplier Quality Events Management

• Providing quality oversight for supplier-related deviations, investigations, complaints, SCARs and CAPAs.
• Ensuring timely escalation and resolution of critical supplier quality events.
• Monitoring effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions implemented by suppliers.

Supplier Change Management

• Governing supplier-initiated changes impacting materials, components, processes or services.
• Ensuring appropriate quality and regulatory impact evaluations.
• Supporting implementation and effectiveness monitoring of supplier changes.
• Ensuring adequate communication and alignment across impacted functions and sites.

Quality Agreements Management

• Defining the global strategy and standards for Supplier Quality Technical Agreements.
• Overseeing approval, maintenance and periodic review of quality agreements.
• Managing escalations related to supplier obligations and compliance commitments.

You will need to have

• University degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Engineering or other relevant scientific disciplines.
• Significant experience (not less than 10 years) in pharmaceutical quality management and supplier quality oversight.
• Strong knowledge of GMP requirements applicable to APIs, excipients, packaging materials and combination products.
• Proven experience managing global supplier qualification and governance programs.
• Strong knowledge of supplier quality risk management, change management and quality systems.
• Fluent English, both written and spoken.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in complex global and cross-functional environments.

We would prefer for you to have

• Experience with inhalation products and Device Constituent Parts.
• Experience managing global supplier networks supporting multiple manufacturing sites.
• Knowledge of FDA, EMA and international regulatory expectations for supplier oversight.
• Experience in business continuity and supply chain risk management.

Soft Skills

• Strategic leadership
• Influencing and stakeholder management
• Decision-making capability
• Communication skills
• Risk-based thinking
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Customer and patient focus

Location

The primary work location is Parma (HQ Italy). The role offers flexibility, allowing candidates to be based in one of Chiesi affiliates across Europe, with regular travel to Parma required. 

Compensation Range