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Senior Specialist, Restricted Substances

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Quality Assurance

Posted Aug 12, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a regulation change that forced you to reassess products already on the market.

What they are checking: Experience with retroactive scope, which is where this work gets expensive.

You handle multiple projects of varying complexity in parallel with minimal supervision. How do you keep track of what is at risk?

What they are checking: Self-management, since the posting emphasizes working independently.

This asks for a science or technical degree, five to ten years in pharmaceuticals and a minimum of eight years in restricted substance management specifically, in North Chicago. What would you want to know about how the program is currently staffed?

What they are checking: That they read the unusually specific experience requirement and would ask about the team.

What would you do

A supplier cannot or will not provide the substance data you need to justify compliance. What do you do?

What they are checking: Handling the most common obstacle in this discipline.

The role asks you to make sure restricted substances compliance is built into new product introduction and lifecycle planning. How do you get into a project early enough to matter?

What they are checking: Whether they can move upstream rather than reviewing after decisions are made.

How do you explain a chemical regulation requirement to a manufacturing or supply chain team that sees it as an obstacle?

What they are checking: Influence without authority across functions that would rather not hear it.

About the work

This role covers restricted substances regulations including the European Union's REACH and RoHS rules. How do those two differ in what they require of a manufacturer?

What they are checking: Real regulatory knowledge, since the posting names both and they work differently.

You would assess pharmaceutical, device and cosmetic products against chemical regulations. How does the assessment change across those three product types?

What they are checking: Breadth across product categories with different regulatory regimes.

You would review component and sub-assembly information for restricted substances impact. Walk me through how you would assess a new component a supplier has proposed.

What they are checking: The actual analytical work, not the program management around it.

You would write guidelines and procedures that have to work consistently across multiple AbbVie sites and functions. How do you write a procedure people at different sites will actually follow the same way?

What they are checking: Writing for consistency across sites, named directly in the duties.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining restricted substances management (RSM) regulatory requirements such as EU REACH, EU RoHS, US Conflict Minerals, China New Chemical Registration, Canadian Chemical Management Plan, Proposition 65, etc. Responsibilities: • Independently organize, develop, implement, and manage assigned aspects of existing- and novel RSM chemical regulatory projects. This includes outlining scope, time and resource management, communications, and risk mitigation throughout the project. Assigned aspects include interpreting regulatory requirements, creating an actionable business process, implementing the process, and demonstrating necessary compliance. • Ensure RSM compliance is considered as part of long-term and short-term planning, including lifecycle management and new product introduction • Implement strategies and action plans for Restricted Substances (RS) activities Develop, track, and communicate progress against program milestones and deliverables • Work collaboratively with appropriate organizations to facilitate RSM implementation and compliance through the communication of RSM issues and development of process and tools • Communicate chemical regulations requirements for the markets in which AbbVie places pharmaceutical, device, and cosmetic products; critically evaluate product- and supplier documentation to understand compliance risk • Prepare and update guidelines, policies, procedures, and other documentation to ensure consistent implementation across multiple AbbVie sites and functions. Work to incorporate global chemical regulations appropriately within AbbVie’s existing systems and functions. • Handle multiple projects of various complexity in parallel • Interact internally, across multiple functional areas, and externally, with Suppliers and Third Party Manufacturers, to obtain restricted substances supporting data to justify business and regulatory needs. Data must be well-organized and stored within existing AbbVie systems. • Review and analyze component and sub-assembly information, assessing for restricted substances impact Qualifications: • Proven leadership ability and excellent communication skills • Self-starter able to work with minimal supervision; results oriented; strong workload organization- and problem-solving skills • Have strong knowledge of today’s key global restricted substances regulations (e.g. EU RoHS, EU REACH); familiarity with pharmaceutical R&D, pharma manufacturing/TPM, and supply chain activities • Demonstrated team player with ability to work collaboratively with RSM team and functional counterparts in a global environment; ability to influence and solicit cooperation (internally and externally) to meet program objectives • Strong program management skills and techniques (i.e. plans, schedules, presentations, etc.) • Competency with Microsoft software suite (e.g. PowerPoint, MS Word, Excel, Outlook) Education / Experience: • Bachelor’s degree in a science or technical-related field is required • A minimum of 5-10 years of experience in pharmaceutical industry in areas such as medical affairs, R&D, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, etc... • Minimum of 8 years’ experience in Restricted Substance Management or similar chemical regulatory field • Excellent presentation skills, proven problem-solving skills, strategic thinking Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​ • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this roleat the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on manyfactors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​ • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​ • This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount isearned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits thatare allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole andabsolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. 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. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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