Manager of Quality Assurance, Recall, and Regulatory Affairs (“QAP”)

Job Title: Manager of Quality Assurance, Recall, and Regulatory Affairs (“QAP”)

Background:

Sophia’s Garden (Artisan) Inc. (SGA) has a Standard Processing license available under The Cannabis Laws. SGA is a CPG company in the business of infusing foods with either cannabis or hemp extracts (THC and CBD and related isolates) as a large-scale, low-cost manufacturer. The regulations provide requirements for quality-controlled, cannabis-related products, produced under secure and sanitary conditions, to Canadian markets.

As a Senior Manager and the Leader of the QA team, the Manager of Quality Assurance, Recall, and Regulatory Affairs (“QAP”) is responsible for ensuring the Cannabis Laws are met through programs, practices, and protocols executed effectively at the facility, with full responsibility for the Health Canada program including updates, inspections, mock recalls, and thorough documentation of all related records. By leading in a values-aligned fashion, the QAP plays a critical role in creating and maintaining a service-oriented team built on the foundations of Product Safety.

SGA is currently expanding operations to increase capacity, to meet existing and future market conditions. Therefore, the QAP will also lead research into cannabinoid and food safety, improvement, and development of new products based on the science and results drawn from the research as well as community feedback, such as focus groups.

SGA is not able to sponsor into Canada a person for this role; we are looking for candidates from within Canada only. All candidates must have a PhD in selected food sciences to meet the regulatory obligations of our R&D license restriction.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. The QAP will ensure that the physical, chemical, and microbiological specifications of all raw materials, intermediates, and finished goods comply with all regulatory and corporate quality specifications.
2. The QAP will ensure the timely rejection, isolation, and disposition of all non-compliant materials and will arrange/provide analytical services as required.
3. The QAP will provide technical support to the manufacturing operation by developing/maintaining the Edibles Preventative Control Plan (PCP), identifying, and assisting in the resolution of processing problems, coordinating equipment validation, expediting and facilitating corrective actions.
4. The QAP ensures processing lines and facilities are following relevant food safety (PCP) and GPP programs through sanitation and preoperational inspections and assisting with GPP self-inspections and internal audits when required.
5. Supervise a staff of QA Technicians and/or QA Coordinators ensuring that tasks are conducted consistently, efficiently and aligned with the needs of the business.
6. Plan QA staffing requirements according to production demands.
7. Build and maintain a HACCP program.
8. Responsible for SOP/GPP/PCP document and training: maintenance, monitoring, and verification.
9. Identify any ISO 17025 or SOP Work Requests generating from Interior Premises Audits, Sanitation Monitoring, Pre-op inspections, 3rd Party audits, or any Health Safety failures.
10. Assist and accompany Health Canada inspectors during performance of their reviews or inspections and sampling as required.
11. Assemble and lead annual MMPR/ISO reassessment team and conduct pre-requisite program reassessment and audit.
12. Lead safety failure recall programs ensuring SOP compliance.
13. Prepare and support various Audits including license recertification, internal audits, etc.
14. Perform record verification as well as QA personnel competence verification.
15. Responsible for the preparation of production-related batch records including THC volumes and/or masses for monthly regulatory reporting, and as required.
16. Assist with analysis of data to determine root cause of deficiencies and provide feedback on performance and necessary improvements.
17. Participate in cross-functional SOP development and ensure that facility SOPs and related documents are controlled, in a correct format, properly stored, and distributed as per manufacturing excellence requirements.
18. Lead cross-functional teams completing incident investigations where product safety or product quality may be compromised.
19. Advancing an attitude of continuous improvement and training of employees at hourly and salary levels.
20. Take lead on execution of various initiatives to improve the quality and safety of our products.
21. Support and/or lead change management activities related to processes, programs and/or systems.
22. Support QA team as required (back-up for various roles, etc.).
23. Other duties as required by SGA senior management.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

1. Experience in Food Engineering: a bachelor’s degree in food engineering as well as experience in designing new production lines, dimensioning required equipment, and developing and implementing good practices (GPP, GMP, ISO 9000, ISO 17025) as well as SOP manuals in the food industry.
2. Laboratory Management: experience managing multiple groups in several simultaneous projects in the laboratory (research).
3. Data Science and Production Coordination: management of multiple simultaneous projects, coordination of commercial production line upgrades, risk mitigation, and conflict resolution.
4. University degree, BSc, MSc (optional), AND a PhD in Food Science or Food Engineering.
5. 3 to 5 years food and/or cannabis related experience in areas of GPP and/or HACCP/PCP and/or GMP principles and programs.
6. Must have in-depth HACCP or PCP experience including program development as well as implementation of programs and auditing of the program.
7. 4 years minimum experience in Laboratory Management in related sciences.
8. Coordination: experience coordinating different disciplines and projects.
9. Problem Solving: possess strong analytical skills.
10. Communication: experience collaborating with various teams.
11. Project Management: successfully manage small to medium-sized teams and projects.
12. Documentation: experience in procuring materials and equipment.
13. Pricing: knowledge and experience in pricing related to construction projects and food production.
14. Continuous Learning: research background and ability to independently search for information.
15. Teamwork: a team player who excels in collaborative environments.
16. Attention to Detail: detail is highlighted as a strength.
17. Time Management: ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects.
18. Demonstrated alignment to the SGA Leadership Values.
19. Experience with automation of data and electronic Quality systems is a must.
20. Good numerical skills and an understanding of statistics.

Considerations to be a QAP:

1. Ability to fulfill responsibilities.
2. Training, experience, and technical knowledge.
3. Qualifications and education.
4. Previous approval from Health Canada.
5. Security clearance.
6. Background and experience.
7. Overall assessment.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $124,500.00-$127,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• On-site parking

Flexible language requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Doctoral Degree (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-08-04
Expected start date: 2025-03-01