Country Clinical Quality Management

Job Description
It is critical that, for all our Company -sponsored clinical trials, patient safety, high quality data and compliance with company requirements and regulations are delivered and sustained. The CCQM position has a significant impact in achieving those objectives.

Under the guidance of the Regional Director, Clinical Quality Management (RCQM), the CCQM oversees all CQM activities in the respective country/cluster.

The role requires the ability to properly implement local/global processes/procedures, to identify opportunities for process improvement and to support continuous improvement initiatives. In addition, the CCQMs support audits, inspections as well as Quality Control and local training activities.

Position Responsibilities.
Primary responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to

Regulations & Processes

• Local expert for ICH-GCP and local regulations (incl. impact assessment of new/updated local regulations on local processes).
• In close collaboration with local country operations management, manages the local network of owners / Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for global/local processes to ensure a proper implementation of global/local processes and the regular update of local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) / Work Instructions (WIs).
• Local expert for any quality-related local processes.
• Identifies process gaps / opportunities for process improvement and properly escalates to RCQM and/or Global Process Owners (if necessary).
• Leads continuous quality improvements activities at the country level as agreed with Country/Cluster CRD and RCQM and supports or co-leads continuous improvements activities at the global/regional level.

Training

• Local training point of contact and the liaison between local country operations and Research & Development Division Learning & Development (L&D).
• In close cooperation with local country operations management, identifies / coordinates local training needs.
• Supports local trainings (as needed).

Quality Control (QC) Activities

• In conjunction with the local country operations management, coordinates and oversees all QC activities. This includes to ensure a proper execution of the In-house Quality Control Plan (IHQCP), the Quality Control Visits (QCVs) as well as any other QC Checks.
• In mutual agreement with local country operations management and the RCQM, performs QC activities (incl. QCVs) and conducts ad hoc site visits upon request.
• On a regular basis and in collaboration with local country operations, identifies local trends, performs root-cause-analysis (if necessary), develops local action plan (incl. sharing of results and training of local country operations, if required).

Audits & Inspections

• Primary local point of contact for our Research & Development Division Quality Assurance and Regulatory Agencies.
• Manages and supports activities during the preparation / ongoing / follow-up phase of an audit or inspection.
• In cooperation with local country operations and/or headquarters, performs root-cause- analysis for audit observations/inspection findings, manages and tracks the Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) and coordinates/facilitates the responses to audit/inspection reports.
• On a regular basis and in collaboration with local country operations, identifies local trends, performs root-cause-analysis (if necessary) and develops local action plan (incl. sharing of results and training of local country operations, if required).

Quality/Compliance/Privacy Escalation

• Communicates and escalates issues and trends to local Operations and RCQM.
• Escalates significant issues, supports investigations (fact finding, root cause analysis), and reports Serious Breaches when applicable.

Supplier Qualification

• Leads local supplier qualifications and re-qualifications; resolves quality issues with local suppliers.
• Supports QMS assessments for local supplier qualifications and re-qualifications.

R&D Division Compliance & Privacy

• Implements divisional compliance/privacy initiatives locally and supports reporting.
• Channels compliance/privacy concerns to Local Legal/Compliance/Privacy and to R&D Compliance/Global Privacy Office.

Global / Regional Key Initiatives / Projects

• Supports global/regional key initiatives/projects upon request of the RCQM.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in relevant health care area.
• A minimum of 6-8 years of relevant experience in clinical research including direct field monitoring experience or management/oversight of such individuals, with a demonstrated record of accomplishments. Experience in Country Operations preferred.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of Clinical Trial processes, GCP and other clinical research related regulations.
• Solid track record of initiating, planning and delivery of projects and knowledge of project management practices.
• Demonstrated experience in leading cross-functional teams.
• Ideally, experience in Clinical Quality Management including Quality Control Activities, Process Management & Improvement.
• Ideally, experience in managing audits and inspections.
• Ideally, experience in coordinating and delivering training sessions.

Skills

• Excellent project management, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Excellent teamwork skills, including conflict resolution expertise and discretion.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and solve complex problems.
• Ability to think strategically, objectively and with creativity and innovation.
• Ability to proficiently interact with all levels of clinical research management and exert influence to achieve results.

Required Skills
Adaptability, Clinical Quality Management, Clinical Research, Clinical Study Design, Clinical Trial Planning, Clinical Trials, Clinical Trials Monitoring, Data Analysis, ICH GCP Guidelines, Medical Writing, Operations Management, Patient Safety, Process Improvements, Project Management, Project Prioritization, Quality Control Management, Quality Management, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, Team Leadership, Training and Development

Preferred Skills
Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status
Regular

Relocation
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship
No

Travel Requirements
No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements
Not Applicable

Shift
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License
No

Hazardous Material(s)
n.a

Job Posting End Date
12/3/2025

• A job posting is effective until PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID
R374786