Sr. Manager, Quality Control Labs

About the role

Alcon is seeking a Senior Manager to lead its Quality Control Laboratories in Fort Worth, Texas. This position oversees all QC laboratory operations, ensuring accurate, reliable, and compliant analytical results that support product release and lifecycle management. The role drives continuous improvement and provides strategic leadership for laboratory performance and capability development.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure laboratory compliance with cGMP, cGLP, FDA, ISO, and global regulatory requirements.
• Own and maintain QC elements of the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead regulatory inspections, audits, and responses (FDA, ISO, internal).
• Act as escalation point for compliance risks, deviations, and data‑integrity concerns.
• Oversee in‑process, release, and stability testing activities.
• Manage testing schedules, capacity planning, backlog, and turnaround times.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing, AS&T, MS&T, and QA to meet production demands.
• Lead, coach, and develop QC managers, supervisors, and analysts.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, training, and GMP qualification of personnel.
• Drive a high‑performance, quality‑focused culture and manage talent development.
• Oversee investigations of OOS, OOT, deviations, and non‑conformances, ensuring root‑cause analysis and effective CAPAs.
• Define and track QC metrics such as right‑first‑time, cycle time, and backlog.
• Lead Lean/Six Sigma and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Establish and optimize laboratory workflows, automation, and digital tools (LIMS, ELN).
• Develop and manage QC laboratory budgets, operating plans, and resource allocation.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent experience (high school + 15 years of related experience acceptable).
• Extensive experience leading QC laboratory operations in a regulated environment.
• Proven track record of managing teams, budgets, and continuous‑improvement projects.

Required skills

• cGMP and cGLP compliance
• FDA and ISO regulatory knowledge
• Quality Management System (QMS) implementation
• LIMS and ELN proficiency
• Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
• Data integrity and root‑cause analysis
• CAPA development and execution
• OOS/OOT investigation expertise
• Analytical and microbiological testing techniques
• Capacity planning and budgeting
• Regulatory inspection and audit management