Head of Quality Assurance (QAP)

Full-time, Onsite 

Durham Region, Ontario

Our client, an established Canadian-regulated manufacturer, is seeking an experienced Head of Quality Assurance (QAP)  to lead quality assurance and regulatory compliance across its licensed operations.

This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for maintaining the Quality Management System, supporting inspection readiness and ensuring products meet quality and regulatory requirements before release. The successful candidate will bring strong technical quality experience, Health Canada regulatory knowledge and the leadership skills required to build structure, accountability and consistency within the QA function.

MUST HAVE

• Must be available to work full-time onsite in the Durham Region, Ontario.
• Must have senior quality assurance experience within a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment.
• Must have 3+ years of experience as a QAP, AQAP, QA Manager, Quality Lead or in a comparable senior quality assurance leadership role.
• Must be a strong people leader with experience building accountability, structure and follow-through within a quality assurance or regulatory team.
• Must currently hold, have previously held or be eligible to obtain Health Canada approval as a QAP or AQAP under a Canadian cannabis license, including the required Health Canada cannabis security clearance.
• Must have experience with regulated product release, Quality Management Systems, CAPAs, deviations, investigations and controlled documentation.
• Must have experience with Health Canada inspections, regulatory audits or inspection-readiness programs.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Team Performance

• Lead and support the QA team across quality assurance and regulatory activities.
• Establish clear responsibilities, priorities, timelines and performance expectations.
• Improve departmental organization, productivity, accountability and follow-through.
• Coach team members and build the department’s ability to operate effectively and independently.
• Ensure employees assigned quality duties have the appropriate training, experience and technical knowledge.
• Promote a culture of quality, accountability and continuous improvement.

QAP Accountability & Product Release

• Act as the designated QAP following Health Canada approval.
• Assure the quality of cannabis before it is made available for sale.
• Review and approve cannabis lots and batches before release.
• Review batch records, production documentation, Certificates of Analysis and required testing results.
• Confirm products meet regulatory requirements, approved specifications and internal quality standards.
• Maintain authority to approve, reject, quarantine or place products and materials on hold.
• Approve quality-related methods, procedures and preventive control plans, as required.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Maintain and continuously improve the Quality Management System.
• Review and approve SOPs, specifications, master records and controlled quality documentation.
• Oversee deviations, CAPAs, change controls, out-of-specification results and quality investigations.
• Ensure deviations from approved procedures are assessed, documented and resolved appropriately.
• Maintain accurate quality records, traceability, document control and inspection-ready systems.
• Support compliance across cannabis, GMP, Drug Establishment Licence and natural health product operations.

Investigations, Complaints & Risk Management

• Investigate complaints relating to the quality of cannabis.
• Investigate potential risks to human health or potential non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Ensure immediate measures are taken to mitigate quality or compliance risks.
• Lead root-cause analysis and monitor corrective and preventive actions through completion.
• Support product recalls, mock recalls and adverse-reaction processes.
• Identify recurring quality trends and implement measurable improvements.

Inspection & Operational Oversight

• Maintain readiness for Health Canada inspections and third-party audits.
• Lead inspection preparation, audit responses and corrective actions.
• Provide quality oversight across manufacturing, packaging, labelling, testing, sanitation, storage and distribution.
• Support validation, equipment qualification, supplier qualification, laboratory oversight and contamination-control programs.
• Partner with production, operations and senior leadership to resolve quality issues while protecting product safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive quality assurance experience within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years in a QAP, AQAP, QA Manager, Quality Lead or comparable senior quality role.
• 5+ years of people-leadership experience within quality assurance, regulatory compliance or regulated manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience improving team accountability, departmental structure, timelines, workflow or follow-through within a quality function.
• Experience reviewing and releasing cannabis or other regulated product lots or batches.
• Experience reviewing batch records, analytical results and Certificates of Analysis.
• Experience with CAPAs, deviations, investigations, change controls, complaints and recalls.
• Experience leading Health Canada inspections, regulatory audits or third-party audits.
• Experience improving a Quality Management System or measurable departmental performance.
• Working knowledge of the Cannabis Act, Cannabis Regulations, Good Production Practices and applicable testing requirements.
• Experience within the Canadian cannabis industry is strongly preferred; experience within pharmaceutical, DEL, natural health products or other GMP-regulated manufacturing environments is also valued.
• Experience with cannabis extracts, oils, capsules, softgels, ingestible products or topicals is considered an asset.
• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in science, chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical sciences, food science or a related discipline is preferred.

Compensation: In compliance with Ontario Pay Transparency legislation, the expected salary range for this role is $85,000–$110,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Accessibility: Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Applicants requiring accommodation are encouraged to advise during the application process.

Vacancy Disclosure: This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

AI Disclosure: At Emerald Lane Recruitment, we do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants as part of the hiring process. AI tools are used by our back office to support efficiency, but humans review, assess, and decide throughout the hiring process.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Emerald Lane Recruitment is committed to advancing equity and inclusion across the global cannabis industry. We proudly support our clients in building teams that reflect the full diversity of the communities they serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic, in accordance with applicable human rights legislation.

🌍 Please Note: At Emerald Lane Recruitment, we truly appreciate every application we receive. Due to the high volume of interest in our roles, our team will carefully review all submissions and contact candidates whose skills and experience align with the requirements of the position. We are committed to ensuring a fair, inclusive, and respectful recruitment process that adheres to global HR best practices. If you don’t hear from us this time, please know that your application will be kept on file for future opportunities that may be a better fit. Thank you for considering a role with us!

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