Corporate QA Lead (12-month contract)

Mother Parkers; Mississauga; Hybrid; CAD 162,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits on day 1

Employer matched retirement savings

Health or Wellness Spending Accounts

Employee discount on products

Annual Safety Shoes Program

Tuition Assistance Program

Job summary

Mother Parkers, one of North America's leading tea and coffee manufacturers, seeks a Corporate QA Lead to advance food safety, regulatory compliance, and certification initiatives across manufacturing sites.

You will partner with Site QA teams, drive audits (SQF, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Organic), analyze quality data, and mentor teams in GMPs, HACCP, and GFSI standards. This role reports to the Director, Food Safety and Quality Assurance and offers a competitive total rewards package.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ progressive experience in food safety, regulatory and product quality.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biology or Chemistry.
• Working knowledge of FDA, SFCR and FSMA regulations.
• GFSI schemes/audits experience (SQF, etc.).
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Support company-wide food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory programs.
• Coordinate initiatives across manufacturing locations and promote strong food safety culture and consistent quality practices.
• Track, analyze, trend, and report company-wide food safety and quality performance metrics.
• Support site quality teams in investigation, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and resolution of quality incidents.
• Coordinate corporate certification programs and audits (SQF, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Organic).

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory communication

Stakeholder influence

Detail-oriented

Multi-priority management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science / Biology / Chemistry

Tools

GMPs

HACCP

SQF

MS Office

Job description

We are one of the largest tea and coffee manufacturers in North America, with a mission to create a better beverage experience for our customers. As a leading customer solutions provider to some of North America’s largest retailers and foodservice chains, we use state-of-the-art technology and new product innovation to help our customers grow their business and deliver superior products to their clientele. Our team of coffee and tea experts are deeply passionate about what we do, proud of our 100+ years of business success, and excited about building a future with endless possibilities. Come join our team and work among the best, collaborate with high performers, and contribute to challenging work every day!

The Role:

The Corporate QA Lead supports the Director, Food Safety and Quality Assurance in the execution of corporate food safety, quality assurance, regulatory, and certification initiatives. The role works closely with site Quality Assurance teams to coordinate programs, monitor performance, support audits and certification activities, analyze quality data, and drive continuous improvement projects across the organization. The position serves as a key link between corporate and operational quality functions and provides technical expertise to support food safety and quality objectives.

What you get to do:

• Support the implementation, execution, and continuous improvement of company-wide food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs.
• Coordinate quality and food safety initiatives across manufacturing locations and collaborate with Site QA Managers to promote a strong food safety culture and consistent quality practices.
• Track, analyze, trend, and report company-wide food safety and quality performance metrics, identifying risks, opportunities, and improvement actions.
• Support site quality teams in the investigation, documentation, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and resolution of quality and food safety incidents, customer complaints, and non-conformances.
• Coordinate and support corporate food safety and quality initiatives, including the transition and implementation of evolving certification and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate corporate certification programs and audits, including SQF, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Organic, and other applicable certification bodies.
• Participate in and support supplier, customer, regulatory, certification, and third-party audits while assisting sites in maintaining audit readiness.
• Provide or coordinate technical expertise related to microbiology, chemistry, allergens, toxins, laboratory testing, environmental monitoring, sanitation, and food safety systems.
• Develop and maintain quality reports, customer-required documentation, and records related to product conformance, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with Operations, R&D, Commodities, Procurement, Commercial, and other stakeholders to ensure the integrity of raw materials, packaging, processes, and finished products.
• Support the development of quality training materials, best practices, standard work, and continuous improvement initiatives across locations.
• Maintain awareness of emerging food safety regulations, industry trends, customer requirements, and quality management practices, and support implementation activities as required.
• Contribute to company objectives related to Growth, Cost, Culture, Sustainability, and Operational Excellence through effective execution of quality and food safety initiatives.

What you bring to the role:

• Minimum 5+ years’ progressive experience in food safety, regulatory and product quality; coffee and/or tea manufacturing
• A bachelor’s degree is required (Food Science, Biology, Chemistry preferred, other related technical degrees considered)
• Working knowledge of governing regulations, including FDA, SFCR and FSMA.
• Knowledge of US Dietary Supplements and/or Natural Health Products regulations is an asset.
• Knowledge of thermally processed low acid food requirements is an asset.
• Trained in GMPs, HACCP, SQF or another GFSI scheme. Experience with GFSI audits.
• Self-motivated and highly organized, with a strong focus on detail and accuracy
• Ability to thrive in a complex, high demand environment with multiple priorities
• Ability to influence and communicate a clear and compelling vision and ensure execution of food safety systems and procedures across all levels of the Company.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively within the Company and with regulatory agency personnel and outside vendors.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Ability to collaborate and drive solution-oriented engagement and decisions, working cross functionally and with external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in all aspects of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, Power Point).
• Knowledge of Lean methodologies as an asset

What we offer you:

• Competitive Total Rewards package – health benefits coverage on day 1, employer matched retirement savings plans, optional Health or Wellness Spending Accounts.
• Employee discount program on our coffee and tea products.
• Annual Safety Shoes Program – your safety is our #1 priority.
• Tuition Assistance Program – we value continuous learning and self-development.
• The hiring range for this role is $114,000 - $120,000 annually.

This posting is for a new vacancy.

We use AI enabled tools to support parts of our selection process; however, every hiring decision is reviewed and finalized by our people.

While Mother Parkers welcomes all applications, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies or search firms. Only those candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be contacted.

Mother Parkers is committed to providing accommodation for persons with disabilities. Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.