Senior Quality Assurance Manager

CannHealth Cultivation; Kingston upon Hull; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job description

Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager

Location: Yorkshire based Indoor Cannabis Facility

Job Type: Full-time

Reports to: Chief Operations Officer

Company Overview:

At CannHealth, we’re building more than a cannabis cultivation facility—we’re crafting a culture of excellence in the UK’s medical cannabis space. Nestled in the heart of the countryside, we combine precision growing with an obsession for quality. As we enter a new chapter of operational validation under GACP and GMP frameworks, we’re assembling a best-in-class team of committed professionals ready to shape the future of cannabis in the UK.

Role Overview:

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure full compliance with GACP and GMP standards for the cultivation and processing of medicinal cannabis. This role will lead the development and implementation of SOPs, internal audits, deviation management, validation, and staff training related to quality systems. The ideal candidate will have experience in regulated pharmaceutical or cannabis production environments and a pragmatic, proactive approach to quality leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement the Quality Management System (QMS): Establish and maintain a robust QMS aligned with EU-GMP and GACP standards to ensure consistent compliance across cultivation, processing, and packaging operations.
2. Own SOP lifecycle management: Draft, review, approve, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to reflect current practices, regulatory updates, and continuous improvement initiatives.
3. Lead internal and external audit readiness: Plan, conduct, and document internal audits; manage audit findings and CAPAs; and prepare the facility for inspections by regulatory authorities (e.g. MHRA) or third-party auditors.
4. Oversee GACP/GMP validation processes: Collaborate with cultivation, engineering, and post-harvest teams on the execution and documentation of IQ/OQ/PQ, cleaning validation, environmental monitoring, and facility qualification.
5. Manage deviation and non-conformance investigations: Lead timely and thorough investigations into quality incidents; perform root cause analyses and develop corrective/preventive actions to avoid recurrence.
6. Control and approve batch documentation and release: Review cultivation and processing batch records for completeness and accuracy, ensuring full traceability, integrity, and compliance before final QA release.
7. Implement change control and risk management processes: Evaluate proposed changes to equipment, processes, or materials; conduct risk assessments; and coordinate necessary updates to documentation and procedures.
8. Lead quality training and competency assessments: Develop and deliver training programs to ensure all staff are competent in GMP/GACP standards and facility-specific quality protocols. Maintain training records and track re-certifications.
9. Document control and data integrity oversight: Ensure all QA documentation is current, controlled, secure, and compliant with ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate).
10. Supplier and raw material qualification: Evaluate and approve suppliers of seeds, inputs, and materials; maintain supplier qualification documentation; and monitor ongoing supplier performance.
11. Collaborate cross-functionally to build a quality culture: Partner with cultivation, operations, post-harvest, and leadership to embed quality thinking into day-to-day operations and long-term strategy.
12. Support Product Quality Reviews and Continuous Improvement: Assist in the preparation of annual quality reports, performance metrics, and trending to identify systemic issues and areas for improvement.
13. Ensure compliance with Health and Safety, environmental, and ethical standards: Work alongside HSE and compliance teams to ensure holistic regulatory alignment and responsible operations.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years experience in a QA role within pharmaceutical, biotech, or cannabis manufacturing
• Strong understanding of GACP and EU-GMP frameworks, including Annex 7
• Experience leading audits, validation, and deviation/CAPA management
• Degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, or related field
• Excellent communication, organisation, and documentation skills
• Right to work in the UK

Preferred Skills (Lominger Competency):

• Organisational Agility: Knows how to get things done through formal and informal channels
• Decision Quality: Makes sound decisions based on a mix of analysis, experience, and judgment
• Process Management: Good at figuring out the processes necessary to get things done efficiently
• Integrity and Trust: Consistently act in a principled and ethical manner
• Priority Setting: Spends time on what’s important, not just what’s urgent
• Standing Alone: Willing to take a stand when necessary and act with conviction