Supply Operations Quality (SOQ) Lead

Company: Pfizer

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Mode: Hybrid

Location: India

About the Role

Pfizer is seeking an experienced Supply Operations Quality (SOQ) Lead to provide strategic leadership for end-to-end Supply Operations Quality across India. This role is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining inspection readiness, strengthening supplier quality oversight, and fostering a culture of quality that supports uninterrupted product supply and patient safety.

As a key member of the India Leadership Team, the SOQ Lead will collaborate with Global Supply Chain teams, internal business functions, and external partners to implement Pfizer's global quality standards while ensuring effective local execution. The role will also oversee compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Distribution Practices (GDP), Quality Management Systems (QMS), and regulatory requirements for India and neighboring markets.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Governance

• Provide strategic leadership for Supply Operations Quality (SOQ) activities across India.
• Ensure implementation and compliance with Pfizer Quality Management Systems (QMS), Global SOPs, and Quality Standards.
• Drive quality governance, risk management, escalation processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promote a strong quality culture focused on accountability, operational excellence, and patient safety.

Regulatory Compliance & Inspection Readiness

• Ensure ongoing compliance with GMP, GDP, GxP requirements, local regulatory guidelines, and Pfizer Quality Standards.
• Maintain readiness for regulatory inspections, internal audits, supplier audits, and external quality assessments.
• Oversee Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) programs to ensure timely closure and sustainable improvements.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement necessary compliance measures.

Supplier & Partner Quality Management

• Provide quality oversight for suppliers, contract manufacturers, distributors, third-party logistics (3PL) providers, and commercial partners.
• Establish and maintain robust supplier governance frameworks to ensure compliance with quality requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement improvement initiatives where required.

Product Quality Management

• Oversee GMP, GDP, and Supply Operations Quality activities across the supply chain.
• Approve product release for distribution within India and export markets in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Act as the primary escalation point for product quality issues, including complaints, quality defects, recalls, and market actions.
• Lead investigations, perform root cause analysis, and ensure effective implementation of CAPAs.

Supply Chain & Business Support

• Partner with Commercial, Manufacturing, and Global Supply Chain teams to support business continuity, product launches, and market transfers.
• Balance regulatory compliance with practical, patient-focused solutions that ensure uninterrupted product availability.
• Support supply chain quality initiatives that enhance operational performance and customer satisfaction.

People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the India Supply Operations Quality team.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, training, succession planning, and performance development.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on ownership, transparency, continuous improvement, and high ethical standards.

Stakeholder Management

• Represent Supply Operations Quality in interactions with senior leadership, regulatory authorities, external partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships to ensure alignment between quality objectives and business priorities.
• Influence strategic decisions by providing expert quality guidance and risk assessments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy (Mandatory).
• Advanced qualifications in Quality Management, Regulatory Affairs, or Supply Chain Management will be an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Operations, or Supply Operations Quality within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing quality teams.
• Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Distribution Practice (GDP), GxP, Quality Management Systems (QMS), and pharmaceutical regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing health authority inspections, supplier audits, compliance programs, and quality investigations.
• Proven experience leading CAPA programs, product quality management, and supplier quality oversight.

Desired Skills

• Pharmaceutical Quality Management
• GMP, GDP & GxP Compliance
• Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• Regulatory Compliance & Inspection Readiness
• Supplier Quality & Third-Party Oversight
• CAPA Management & Root Cause Analysis
• Product Quality, Complaints & Recall Management
• Risk Management & Quality Governance
• Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Leadership
• Team Leadership, Coaching & Talent Development
• Strong Analytical, Decision-Making & Problem-Solving Skills
• Excellent Communication, Negotiation & Influencing Abilities
• High Ethical Standards and Professional Integrity

Why Join Pfizer?

• Be part of one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies committed to improving patient lives.
• Lead strategic quality initiatives that ensure product safety, regulatory excellence, and uninterrupted medicine supply.
• Collaborate with global teams and senior leadership in a highly impactful role.
• Work in a culture that values innovation, integrity, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
• Enjoy opportunities for professional development, leadership growth, and global career advancement.

If you are an experienced pharmaceutical quality leader with expertise in GMP/GDP compliance, regulatory excellence, supplier quality management, and people leadership, we encourage you to apply and join Pfizer in delivering quality and reliability across the healthcare supply chain.