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Pendulum Therapeutics

Director Quality

Pendulum Therapeutics, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199

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Overview

Pendulum is leading a revolution that is occurring around the world to improve physical and mental health by first understanding, then restoring and enhancing the human microbiome. Pendulum has developed proprietary probiotic pipelines and a discovery platform to identify key bacterial strains and prebiotics, and a world’s first manufacturing technology to produce bacteria in an anaerobic environment at scale. The medical probiotics Pendulum has formulated have transformed the consumer probiotics market into a new category of therapeutic offerings. Pendulum earned a spot on Forbes Magazine’s exclusive “The Next Billion Dollar Startups” list. If you’re interested in improving the lives of people globally and you love working in a cross-functional, collaborative, inspiring environment, please continue reading.

Position Summary

Director Quality lead Pendulum’s end-to-end Quality function with a sharp focus on the end-to-end quality of supply chain. You will own supplier qualification, quality agreements, and external manufacturing oversight, ensuring right-first-time material quality and seamless transfer of methods and processes to CMOs and contract labs. You’ll support a scalable supplier quality management system, build supplier quality metrics, and maintain compliance and certifications while partnering with Supply Chain, Process Development, Regulatory, and Manufacturing to deliver the pipeline and business initiatives.

We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, lean and collaborative environment. The role requires the ability to think big while being resourceful in execution. You should be comfortable working with a very young brand in its early stages of growth and energized by the pace and possibility of a fast-growing, mission-driven company. You’ll contribute to shaping a young brand from the ground up and be passionate about building something with purpose.

What You’ll Do

External Quality Leadership

Develop, negotiate, and own quality agreements with key contract manufacturing and supply partners

Ensure seamless handoffs of product quality and data across multiple parties in the supply chain

Establish supplier quality metrics, governance routines, and audit cadence to maintain alignment and accountability

Integrated QC / Lead-Time Optimization

Redesign Pendulum’s QC model to shorten release lead times by moving testing closer to the point of manufacture

Scope and deploy on-site analytical capabilities at partner facilities (e.g., advanced microbiology, flow cytometry, rapid microbial methods)

Define ownership models (partner-operated, Pendulum-operated, or hybrid) and certify staff to ensure consistent execution

Supplier Quality Management System (SQMS)

Build and maintain a scalable supplier quality management system that integrates seamlessly across multiple third-party sites

Oversee supplier qualification, change controls, and CAPA governance

Implement dashboards and KPIs to continuously monitor partner performance and responsiveness

Regulatory & Compliance Interface

Partner with Regulatory Affairs to ensure that supplier quality systems fully support filings and global compliance

Maintain inspection readiness across all partner sites (FDA and third-party audits)

Lead investigations, root cause analyses, and CAPA implementation for quality deviations or product complaints

Cross-Functional & Strategic Collaboration

Work closely with Supply Chain, Process Development, and Commercial teams to balance speed, cost, and compliance

Collaborate actively with the Finance teams to evaluate QC impact to product cost

Act as the quality architect in commercial discussions with partners, ensuring scalability and responsiveness without compromising rigor

Contribute to supply-chain strategy initiatives such as Kanban and lean inventory models

Team Leadership & Culture

Build and mentor a lean, high-impact quality team skilled in external supplier oversight

Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and collaboration across Pendulum and partner organizations

Knowledge Requirements

15+ years in Quality, with deep experience in supplier quality and external manufacturing oversight

Demonstrated success structuring and managing complex Quality Agreements with contract manufacturers

Strong technical foundation in QC methods (microbiology, flow cytometry, stability/shelf life testing)

Proven ability to reduce supply lead times through quality process innovation

Familiarity with lean/kanban supply models and capital-efficient quality systems

Hands-on tech transfer experience (method validation, process comparability, PPQ)

eQMS implementation and management (CAPA, change control, training, audits)

Successful history with regulatory inspections and global certifications

Excellent communicator who can balance quality standards with business needs

B.S./M.S. in Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Food Science, or related

Travel, Physical Demands & Work Environment

Hybrid role with domestic and international travel for partner site audits, qualifications, and lab integrations

Salary & Benefits

$225,720-$250,800

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Commuter Benefits

Life & STD Insurance

Company match on 401 (k)

Flexible Time Off (FTO)

Equity

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