Associate Director, Quality Control

Associate Director, Quality Control – Catalent

Location: Swindon

Position summary; Monday – Friday 37.5 hours per week (Onsite)

Catalent is seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Associate Director,

Quality Control to provide strategic leadership and oversight across our Quality Control (QC) operations at our Swindon site. This is a key role responsible for leading both Microbiology and Chemistry QC functions, ensuring compliant testing of finished products and the timely release of incoming materials. You will also act as deputy to the Quality Director when required.

The Role:

• Lead the Microbiology and Chemistry QC teams to achieve performance, compliance, and financial targets aligned with business priorities.
• Shape, communicate, and deliver a clear Quality strategy that enhances focus, engagement, and competitive advantage.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, embedding best practices and delivering measurable operational gains.
• Ensure full compliance with cGMP, corporate Quality Policies, and site SOPs.
• Maintain robust product quality and quality systems, proactively identifying and mitigating potential quality or regulatory risks.
• Oversee QC systems—including testing, training, and analytical equipment—to ensure alignment with corporate, site, and industry standards.
• Support EH&S compliance within QC in accordance with local legislation and Catalent policies.
• Act as a QC subject matter expert and trusted partner to cross‑functional teams.
• Build strong relationships with commercial clients, regulatory authorities, and industry partners, leveraging regulatory intelligence to drive process improvements.
• Present QC metrics and insights to site leadership and customers; contribute to Quality Management Reviews.
• Lead and support investigations and root cause analyses across laboratory and business operations.
• Provide data‑driven recommendations to inform commercial operations priorities.
• Develop, mentor, and empower QC staff while ensuring consistent application of HR policies.
• Communicate site Quality Objectives clearly and effectively across the QC function.
• Oversee QC training programs and ensure ongoing cGMP compliance.
• Host and participate in regulatory inspections and customer audits.

The Candidate:

• BSc (minimum) in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biology, or related discipline, with Extensive experience in pharmaceutical operations.
• Proven track record in designing and implementing innovative, action‑oriented quality programs.
• Experience with IMPs is advantageous but not essential.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing, sourcing, materials management, QA/QC, microbiology, and laboratory operations—ideally within solid dosage manufacturing.
• Demonstrated continuous improvement expertise; Lean Lab experience and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or above preferred.
• People management experience including managing large teams/departments

Why Join Catalent?

• Competitive Salary – Reflecting your experience and skills.
• Bonus & Benefits – Includes an annual performance bonus, a pension scheme matching up to 8% and life assurance. Enjoy BUPA private medical insurance, a generous holiday entitlement that increases with tenure, and the option to purchase additional leave. Plus, gain access to Reward Gateway, offering discounts at many national retailers.
• Career Development – Access high-quality training, mentoring, and cross-functional opportunities within Catalent’s global network. Benefit from a subscription to LinkedIn Learning, providing access to 10,000+ online courses.
• Health & Wellbeing – Includes an employee assistance programme, on-site canteen facilities, and an active safety and “Patient First” culture. Take advantage of a Cycle to Work Scheme and an Electric Vehicle car scheme. Join Employee Resource Groups that foster a diverse and inclusive workplace. Plus, participate in charitable activities.

Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career!  Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference. 

personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.

Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.

Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by local law.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to DisabilityAccommodations@catalent.com. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.