SUMMARY:

White Ash Group is looking for a QA Supervisor to lead the site’s Quality Control function to ensure cannabis products consistently meet specifications and regulatory expectations throughout incoming materials, in-process operations, packaging/labelling, and final inspection. This role does not own analytical lab testing; it partners closely with the QC Laboratory and QA/Release functions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• QC Strategy & Governance
• Own the site QC strategy for in-process controls (IPC), visual inspection, packaging/label control, and incoming material verification (non-analytical).
•  Maintain QC procedures aligned with Health Canada Cannabis Regulations (Part 5 GPP) and applicable EU-GMP/ICH expectations (e.g., Annex 7 for herbal materials, ICH Q9/Q10 principles).
• Incoming Materials
• Define acceptance criteria for visual, and functional checks of packaging components (e.g., cartridges, mouthpieces, o-rings, cones, pouches, labels, cartons).
• Implement AQL sampling plans (c=0 for critical defects), go/no-go gauges, and supplier COA/COC verification (handoff to QC Lab only when analytical confirmation is required).
• Drive supplier quality feedback loops with Procurement: component PPAPs, SCARs, and periodic vendor reviews.
• In-Process Controls (Manufacturing Lines)
• Establish and enforce IPC plans for each product type (e.g., flower packaging, oils/tinctures) covering: fill/weight checks, torque verification, seal integrity, line clearance.
• Deploy SPC for critical parameters (e.g., fill weight); ensure capability ≥ CpK 1.33 before routine release to Operations.
• Approve line start-up checks, first-article inspections, and changeover verifications.
• Packaging & Label Control
• Own artwork/label control from approved masters to print verification (barcodes/UDI/GS1 as applicable), over-labeling controls, and UDI/lot traceability through to shipper level.
• Lead line clearance and reconciliation checks; prevent mislabeling and mix-ups.
• Non-Conformance, Deviation & CAPA (QC-owned)
• Lead investigations for QC-detected defects (e.g., leaks, clogs, poor roll quality, seal failures, mislabels, damaged components).
• Apply structured root cause tools (5-Why, Ishikawa); define corrective/preventive actions and verify effectiveness with measurable targets (defects per 10k, SPC stability).
• Partner with QA on impact assessments, holds, and (if ever needed) recall readiness/traceability.
• Documentation & Data Integrity
• Ensure all QC records (IPC sheets, inspection logs, sampling maps, label checks, device calibration) are complete, contemporaneous, attributable, and traceable.
• Own QC dashboards and KPI trending; present in tiered daily/weekly reviews.
• Equipment & Calibration
• Maintain calibration and verification for equipment (e.g., balances, torque drivers, draw testers, leak/pressure rigs, aw meters used for IPC, gauges/fixtures).
• Approve set-up and periodic challenge/verification plans; ensure status labeling and records.
• People Leadership & Training
• Build and lead a high-performance QC team; define org design, hiring, onboarding, and skills matrix.
• Own training and qualification of operators for QC-critical tasks (weight checks, torque, visual criteria, defects taxonomy, sampling).
• Foster a culture of right-first-time and proactive defect prevention.
• Audit & Compliance Readiness
• Act as QC SME for internal/external audits (Health Canada, EU-GMP sponsors/partners, customers).
• Close QC observations with robust CAPA and evidence of effectiveness.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with QA (batch disposition remains with QA/QP), Operations/Engineering (process capability), Procurement(supplier quality), and QC Lab (when analytical confirmation is required).
• Support change control with QC impact assessments and verification plans (non-analytical).

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Science/Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Experience: 3+ years in regulated manufacturing QC/QA, including 2+ years leading QC/inspection/IPC teams (cannabis, pharma, med-device, or food).
• Demonstrated expertise in in-process/packaging quality, sampling/AQL, SPC, and CAPA leadership.
• Strong working knowledge of Health Canada Cannabis Regulations (Part 5); familiarity with EU-GMP/ICH frameworks is an asset.
• Proven audit participation and cross-functional leadership.

CONDITIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

• On-site leadership across shifts as needed; routine presence on production floor and packaging lines.
• Occasional vendor/site travel for component investigations or supplier reviews.
• Quality Leadership: sets standards, escalates early, enforces discipline.
• Problem Solving: data-driven root cause, statistical thinking, practical risk management.
• Communication: crisp, factual reporting to executives and operators.
• Planning & Prioritization: organizes across multiple lines/SKUs and shifts.
• People Development: coaches, sets expectations, and builds bench strength.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Defects per 10,000 (leaks, clogs, mislabels, seal failures) by SKU/line/supplier.
• First-Pass Yield and Right-First-Time documentation rate.
• SPC health: % of critical IPCs with CpK ≥ 1.33; special-cause occurrences.
• Complaint rate/returns trend and time-to-containment.
• Audit outcomes: # of QC-related observations; CAPA closure on time.
• Training completion & effectiveness (post-training error reduction).

White Ash Group and the companies it represents are Equal Employment Opportunity employers that values the strength of diversity within the workplace. All qualified applicants, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, nationality, age, disability or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law, are strongly encouraged to apply.