QC Planner

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at  . Follow @abbvie on  LinkedIn, Facebook ,  Instagram ,  X and  YouTube.

Job Description

Innovate with intention.

Science is at the heart of what we do. People are at the heart of why we do it.

Welcome to AbbVie!

We are a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company that combines the focus and passion of leading-edge biotech with the expertise and capability of an established pharmaceutical leader. Redefining what is possible is our business and our passion. Our goal is to help patients live healthier lives and we are proud to be a Great Place to Work.

We are recruiting a  QC Lab Planner to join our site in Carrigtwohill, Cork . This role reports directly to the QC Lab Manager. The Quality Control Laboratory Planner for the Quality Laboratory is responsible for the planning and control of the testing schedule for all raw materials and finished products released from AbbVie Cork. You will be responsible for preparing short-term and long-term testing schedules and incorporating non-routine testing needs such as process validation testing, customer complaint testing, testing arising from non-conformances, training activities, etc. into the QC testing schedules. The role will play a key part in the planning of external testing activities.

The QC Planner serves as the key contact within the QC department for both internal and external customers as well as third party laboratories. You will be responsible for the provision of updates to stakeholders on the status of testing and QC release, and for inclusion of new testing requests in the short-term and long-term testing schedules. The role requires the building of excellent relationships, within and outside of the QC department, to ensure the optimum testing schedule is agreed with all stakeholders.

The role requires the use of planning tools to oversee the mid- to long-term planning activities within the laboratory and will be critical in supporting the implementation and subsequent utilization of SmartQC, a state-of-the-art planner tool designed for optimizing laboratory operations. You will be responsible for ensuring efficient resource allocation, project scheduling, and financial oversight to maintain operational excellence and cost-effectiveness within the QC lab.

Are you intrigued? Do you want to learn more?

A snapshot of your key responsibilities as a QC Lab Planner would be:

•Mid- to Long-Term Planning:
Develop and manage laboratory schedules for QC testing to ensure timely completion of testing activities for both ongoing and future projects. Create forecasts for resource needs, including personnel, equipment, and consumables, aligning with business and production goals.

• Utilization of SmartQC Tool:
Utilize SmartQC to effectively plan, monitor, and optimize laboratory operations. Leverage the tool’s capabilities to track workloads, prioritize tasks, and ensure compliance with QC timelines. Provide insights and recommendations for tool enhancements or further integrations to maximize utility.

• Resource Allocation:
Coordinate the allocation of lab personnel and equipment to optimize workflow and minimize bottlenecks. Maintain awareness of lab capacity and ensure optimal usage of all resources, addressing any over- or under-utilization.

• Financial Oversight:
Collaborate with the finance and procurement teams to track budget adherence, analyze cost drivers in QC operations, and propose cost-saving initiatives. Monitor expenditure related to laboratory supplies, testing, and personnel allocation to maintain financial control over QC processes.

• Process Improvement & Efficiency:
Identify opportunities to streamline QC laboratory workflows and enhance operational efficiency such as working with supervisors to implement standard work. Collaborate with the QC and operations teams to implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce testing lead times and optimize resource usage.

• Risk Management:
Proactively assess risks related to lab capacity, resource shortages, or scheduling conflicts. Develop contingency plans and adjustments to ensure QC operations remain uninterrupted and meet business targets.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration:
Work closely with other departments, such as production, supply chain, and R&D, to align QC schedules with overall business objectives and product timelines. Act as a liaison between the QC lab and other business units to communicate timelines, issues, and project updates. Serve as the QC representative for weekly raw materials and operations planning meetings.

• Data Analysis & Reporting:
Analyze key performance metrics related to QC operations (e.g., testing turnaround time, resource utilization, cost efficiency) and generate regular reports for senior management. Provide data-driven recommendations for strategic planning and process improvement.

Qualifications

What you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Quality Management, Operations, Laboratory Sciences, or Business).
• 3+ years of experience in a planning, scheduling, or operations role, preferably in a laboratory or manufacturing setting.
• Experience with laboratory planning software, SmartQC experience preferred.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and cost analysis.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI).
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to anticipate and mitigate risks.

Additional Information

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

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