Alternate Quality Assurance Person

CannaPiece Corp; Pickering; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

CannaPiece Corp is seeking an Alternate Quality Assurance Professional (AQAP) to uphold Cannabis Act compliance and support Health Canada regulatory requirements. You will work under the Director of Quality & Compliance and collaborate with Production, Extraction, Packaging, Commercial, Supply Chain, and leadership to ensure quality is embedded in all operations.

The role focuses on maintaining a robust QMS, leading investigations, CAPAs, change controls, and risk assessments, while driving

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food Science, Engineering, or another relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience as a QAP or AQAP within a Health Canada-licenced cannabis facility is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting Health Canada inspections and regulatory compliance activities.
• Experience maintaining a QMS within a regulated industry.
• Experience leading investigations, CAPAs, change controls, and quality risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Support the QAP in fulfilling statutory responsibilities under the Cannabis Act and Cannabis Regulations.
• Serve as the AQAP and assume QAP responsibilities when designated.
• Review and approve batch production records, laboratory results, specifications, deviations, and quality documentation.
• Ensure cannabis products are manufactured, packaged, labelled, tested, stored, and distributed per regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Maintain current knowledge of Health Canada guidance and regulatory changes.
• Maintain and improve the Company's QMS and SOPs.
• Lead or participate in internal audits, supplier qualifications, and Health Canada inspections.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement with cross-functional teams.
• Provide quality leadership and training across the organization.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

QMS

GMP/GPP

Audits

Documentation

CAPAs

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

QMS platforms

Adobe Acrobat

SmartSheets

Electronic document management systems

Job description

Salary Range: $70,000.00 To $80,000.00 Annually

The Alternate Quality Assurance Person (AQAP) is a key member of the Quality & Compliance team and serves as the designated alternate to the QAP in accordance with the Cannabis Act and Cannabis Regulations.

Reporting to the Director, Quality & Compliance, the AQAP is responsible for supporting and maintaining a robust QMS, ensuring regulatory compliance, protecting product quality, and promoting a culture where quality is integrated into every aspect of the Company's operations.

This position works collaboratively across Production, Extraction, Packaging, Commercial, Supply Chain, and senior leadership to ensure products consistently meet regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and the Company's uncompromising quality standards.

Duties & Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Product Quality

• Support the QAP in fulfilling all statutory responsibilities under the Cannabis Act, Cannabis Regulations, and GPP/GMP.
• Serve as the AQAP and assume QAP responsibilities, including product release decisions, when designated.
• Review and approve batch production records, laboratory results, specifications, deviations, and quality documentation to ensure compliance prior to product release.
• Ensure cannabis products are manufactured, packaged, labelled, tested, stored, and distributed in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements and Company quality standards.
• Maintain current knowledge of Health Canada guidance documents, regulatory changes, and industry best practices.

Quality Management System (QMS)

• Maintain and continuously improve the Company'sQMS.
• Develop, review, and approve SOPs, work instructions, forms, specifications, and controlled documentation.
• Lead or support investigations involving deviations, non-conformances, complaints, out-of-specification results, root cause analyses, CAPAs, change controls, and risk assessments.
• Monitor quality trends and recommend improvements that strengthen compliance, product quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure quality records are complete, accurate, and maintained in accordance with regulatory retention requirements.

Audits, Inspections, & Continuous Improvement

• Lead or participate in internal audits, supplier qualification activities, customer audits, and Health Canada inspections.
• Coordinate responses to audit observations and inspection findings, ensuring timely implementation of corrective actions.
• Partner with operational departments to identify opportunities for continuous improvement while maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Participate in validation activities, process improvements, new product commercialization, and change management initiatives.
• Provide quality leadership and technical guidance to employees across the organization.
• Deliver GPP/GMP-and quality-related training while promoting a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Build collaborative relationships with Production, Extraction, Packaging, Maintenance, Engineering, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams.
• Support the development of quality metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure and improve organizational performance.
• Act as a trusted advisor to management on quality and regulatory matters.

Other

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food Science, Engineering, or another relevant scientific discipline.

Experience

• Previous experience as a QAP or AQAP within a Health Canada-licensed cannabis facility is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience within a GPP or GMP regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting Health Canada inspections and regulatory compliance activities.
• Experience maintaining a QMS within a regulated industry.
• Experience leading investigations, CAPAs, change controls, and quality risk assessments.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience is considered an asset.

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the Cannabis Act, Cannabis Regulations, GPP/GMP, and applicable Health Canada guidance.
• Strong understanding of Quality Management Systems, document control, investigations, risk management, CAPAs, complaints, change management, and internal auditing.
• Experience reviewing and approving batch documentation and quality records.
• Strong technical writing skills with experience developing SOPs, specifications, investigations, and regulatory documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP systems, QMS platforms, Adobe Acrobat, SmartSheets , and electronic document management systems.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make sound, risk-based decisions.
• Excellent judgment and the confidence to make independent quality decisions.
• Strong integrity and commitment to regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• High attention to detail balanced with practical business judgment.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement.

Other Requirements

• Eligible to serve as an AQAP under the Cannabis Regulations.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain Health Canada Security Clearance.
• Able to work in a regulated manufacturing environment and wear required personal protective equipment

CannaPiece expresses diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages the applications of individuals from diverse backgrounds, so that CannaPiece reflects the communities and customers that we serve.

CannaPiece is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage women, minorities, indigenous peoples, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.

CannaPiece is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs. Accommodation may be provided in all parts of the hiring process.