Full job descriptionValidation/ QA Specialist, Pharmaceutical


Location: Derby
Salary: £30,000–£34,000 depending on experience (plus company bonus)
Hours: Monday – Friday, days, 35h per week


Russell Taylor is working exclusively with a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer (CMO) who are continuing to grow; backed by significant investment, new leadership, and modernised validation systems and processes, the company is expanding its validation team at this time.


The Validation Specialist will play a key role in supporting site validation activities across a range of projects. This is a great opportunity for someone with GMP validation experience looking to build on their existing knowledge within a supportive and expanding team. Candidates with equipment or process validation experience from pharmaceutical or other GMP-regulated manufacturing environments are encouraged to apply.


The role:


Plan and execute validation activities in line with site validation plans and project timelines.


• Author and maintain validation protocols and reports across multiple validation areas such as:


Cleaning validation
Computerised systems validation
Equipment and utilities qualification
Process validation


*Interpret validation data against predefined acceptance criteria and document outcomes appropriately.
*Execute validation activities while minimising disruption to manufacturing operations.
*Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver validation programmes and report outcomes.
*Maintain validated status of systems, processes, equipment, utilities and cleaning procedures.
*Support and participate in site validation projects and cross-functional teams.
*Generate and execute protocols and reports for non-routine quality or validation-related projects.
*Review analytical data generated by the QC laboratory as part of validation activities.
*Maintain and report validation-related KPIs to support quality performance monitoring.
*Support regulatory inspections and internal audits, including completion of corrective actions where required.
*Investigate non-conformances, performing root cause analysis and risk assessment.
*Support the ongoing maintenance of the Site Validation Master Plan (VMP).
*Ensure validation procedures, SOPs and work instructions remain compliant and up to date.
*Review validation documentation where required.
*Contribute to knowledge sharing and support colleagues across the validation team.


The Person:


• Will hold a degree (or equivalent) in a STEM-related subject, or have relevant hands-on validation experience within a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment.


• Experience in validation within a cGMP setting, ideally involving process validation, equipment qualification and/or utilities validation. Candidates with exposure to validation activities in pharmaceutical, medical device, or other GMP manufacturing settings are welcome.


• To be clear, this role is focused on manufacturing/site validation rather than analytical method validation within QC.


• Experience working in a quality or regulated environment (cGMP / MHRA / GMP).


• Comfortable reviewing data and using IT systems to document and communicate results effectively.


• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively across teams; fluent in English (written and verbal).


• Keen to develop validation knowledge further and contribute within a growing team environment.