Sr. Associate/Principal Associate - External Manufacturing API Quality Assurance

Company: Eli Lilly and Company
Location: Indianapolis
Posted on: January 5, 2026

Job Description:

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world. Join the energetic and growing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient - External Manufacturing Organization (API-EM) that delivers a diverse portfolio of medicines essential to our patients around the world. The API EM Quality Associate provides support to all quality activities at Contract Manufacturing organizations (CMs). The QA Associate’s position is essential for ensuring that all batches meet specifications, are manufactured in accordance with the validated process and are compliant to cGMPs and regulatory commitments. The Associate will need to interact daily with a wide variety of people, primarily external partner’s team members and site management. Key Objectives/Deliverables: Serve as a quality liaison between CMs and Lilly. Provide quality oversight of CMs including being the initial point of contact for all quality-related issues. Escalate quality issues at CMs to Lilly QA management. Assist in the establishment and revisions of Quality Agreements with affiliates and customers. Ensure compliance to Quality Agreements and Manufacturing Responsibilities Documents (MRDs). Provide quality oversight of Lilly/APIEM Quality Plans Coordinate and perform QA responsibilities of API shipments. Participate in regulatory inspection preparations with CMs. Provide on-site support during inspections. Participate on the Technical Review Board Evaluate and disposition API batches, if required. Ensure that documented checks have been completed for the Certificates of Testing and Certificates of Environmental Monitoring (where applicable), and deviations, changes and batch documentation that demonstrates requirements have been met prior to batch release. Provide quality support of API manufacturing with the focus on holistic review of key activities associated with or impacting the manufacturing processes including deviations, change controls and countermeasures. Assess the impact of deviation investigations and changes and ensure that all appropriate records are documented and retrievable. Ensure all processes are in an appropriate state of control. Maintain awareness of external regulatory agency findings which individually or collectively reference the quality of the product. Review and approve documents including, but not limited to, procedures, master production records, change control proposals, deviations, equipment qualifications, analytical methods and computerized system validations. Participate in APR activities. Participate in projects to improve productivity. Participate in Joint Process (JPT) and Post Launch Optimization (PLOT) Teams Basic Requirements: BS in a science-related field such as Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biological Sciences or related Life Sciences. 5 years of Previous GMP manufacturing knowledge and/or experience in API or finished product manufacturing Additional Preferences: Experience in quality support for Quality Control activities Thorough technical understanding of quality systems and regulatory requirements. Knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. Demonstrated coaching and mentoring skills. Experience in root cause analysis. Demonstrated application of statistical skills. Demonstrated strong written and verbal communications skills. Strong attention to detail. Proficiency with computer system applications. Excellent interpersonal skills and networking skills. Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks. Ability to influence diverse groups and manage relationships. Other Information: Must complete required training for API EM Quality Assurance. Must be able to support 24 hour/day operations. This role is located onsite in Indianapolis, IN and is not approved for remote work. Relocation support will be provided. Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form ( https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation ) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response. Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups. Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $65,250 - $169,400 Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees. WeAreLilly

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