About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional and branded generic medicines. Our 107,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Abbott serves the Irish market with a diverse range of healthcare products including diagnostics, medical devices and nutritional products. In Ireland, Abbott employs over 4,000 people across nine sites. We have six manufacturing facilities located in Clonmel, Cootehill, Donegal, Longford and Sligo and a third-party manufacturing management operation in Sligo. Abbott has commercial, support operations and shared services in Dublin and Galway. We have been operating in Ireland since 1946.

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division Cootehill Cavan
Abbott Nutrition produces a range of infant formulae in all pack sizes under the brand name “Similac”. To complement the range of “Similac” infant formulae, the facility also manufactures a range of follow-on formulae under the brand name of “Gain”. The essential ingredient is liquid skim-milk and this is combined with carbohydrate, vegetable oils, vitamins and minerals. The product is blended, pasteurised, dried and packaged at the site and once packaged, is distributed to Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Canada.

Established in 1975, Abbott Nutrition in Ireland is the largest powder manufacturing facility for the production of infant formulae within the Abbott Corporation worldwide. Approximately 1,000 dairy farms in Ireland and Northern Ireland supply quality milk to the Cootehill facility which processes 500,000 litres per day. This secure supply together with Ireland’s reputation as a green, clean environment is of significant strategic importance to Abbott Nutrition.
Job Title: Quality Specialist (Incoming Quality Assurance)

Primary Function / Goals / Objectives

• Follow all Environmental, Health and Safety Rules and Regulations in the plant.
• Report any current or potential hazards to your manager immediately.
• Wear the correct Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) at all times. Consult the appropriate SOP where required.
• The Quality Specialist has the responsibility for reviewing all SOP’s for any job task he/she may carry out and ensure he/she fully understands and adheres to the SOP.
• Working closely with purchasing, materials planning and manufacturing in managing the relationship and quality discussion with suppliers regarding Abbott requirements and develop systems to highlight areas of concern.
• Liaise with vendors regarding Abbott requirements and develop systems to highlight areas of concern.
• Support vendor audits as required.
• Generate Exception Reports (E.R’s) and issue vendor notifications as required.
• Liaise closely with Packing Managers and Warehouse Managers regarding schedules and areas where opportunities of improvements can be made.
• Carry out investigations of any non-conformances regard to non-conforming product.
• Initiate carton, can and other commodity specification changes to facilitate new product introductions.
• Develop and review SOP’s were the need is identified in line with current AN policies.
• The position requires a consistent, methodical and speedy approach to problem solving and good follow through on items requiring action.
• Cover laboratory department functions where needed and product release to market place.
• This function will also provide QA related training as needed and provide general support to the QA department.
• This Job function will change where update procedures to GMP, EHS, Technical / New Equipment, Quality Procedures & SOP’s are made.
• This list of responsibilities may change depending on plant needs and employees are expected to be adaptable and flexible were this need arises.

Major Responsibilities

• Ingredient and packaging qualifications.
• Management of the Vendor notification process
• Initiate carton, can and other commodity specification changes as needed.
• Update the ASL as required for ingredients and commodities
• Report supplier metrics.

Education Required:

BSc or Diploma in Analytical Science or equivalent.

Knowledge

• Ability to implement prevention strategies
• Packing inspection presents many challenges; therefore an ability to confront and deal effectively with a challenge is imperative.
• Problem solving skills and technical skills in terms of report writing is essential.
• Trouble-shooting skills and a quick response to issues and challenges are also essential.
• Good audit skills are required.