Summary
Location: Schaftenau, Austria
This role is based in Schaftenau, Austria. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.
As a Quality Team Leader QC, you’ll co-lead a dedicated laboratory team ensuring the highest quality standards across physico-chemical, raw/intermediate material and medical device testing. You’ll combine scientific expertise with strong leadership to secure compliance, support audits, and drive continuous improvement — helping deliver safe, high-quality medicines to patients worldwide.
About the Role
Major Accountabilities:
- Lead and develop a Quality Control team to ensure smooth daily operations and compliance with cGxP standards.
- Oversee testing of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products to ensure results meet quality and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure timely review, approval, and release of analytical data and laboratory documentation.
- Support internal and external audits and ensure prompt completion of audit actions to root-cause level.
- Maintain up-to-date analytical methods, SOPs, and procedures in accordance with corporate and health authority standards.
- Ensure qualification, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
- Lead investigations of deviations, OOX, and complaints; define and implement effective CAPAs.
- Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives within the QC function.
- Manage training, performance, and development of team members in alignment with cGxP requirements.
- Foster collaboration across departments and ensure a culture of quality, safety, and compliance.
Obligatory requirements:
- University degree in natural sciences or a related technical field (e.g. chemistry, pharmacy, biology) or equivalent education with working experience.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in Quality Control, Quality Assurance, or Production within the pharmaceutical industry.
- Proven leadership experience in managing laboratory teams and operations.
- Strong understanding of cGxP principles, analytical methods, and regulatory requirements.
- Experience in deviation management, CAPA implementation, and audit preparation or support.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across functions.
- Solid knowledge of IT systems and laboratory applications used in QC environments.
- Fluent in German and English (spoken and written).
Desirable Requirements:
- Experience in physico-chemical analysis techniques and/or medical device testing or microbiological testing.
- Experience in analytical method transfer projects.
- Familiarity with Lean or Operational Excellence initiatives within a GMP environment.
- Experience in change management and managing budgets and resources.
Rewards
At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.
The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and a minimum of 14 weeks paid parental leave.
Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role:
- Austria: EUR 65,606 – 105,200
The salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.
In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Further details will be provided during the application process.
Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics.
Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf
Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph:
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)
