QA Team Leader

Nestlé S.A.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Nespresso discount

Product discounts

Vendor discounts

Job summary

Nestlé Canada is seeking a QA Team Lead at our Sterling Road factory in Toronto to support day-to-day QA operations and product release. You will report to the Quality Assurance Manager and lead a technical team to ensure quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across laboratory activities.

You will coach staff, drive continuous improvement, manage allergen and traceability programs, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable results and safe products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Quality Assurance, or a related scientific discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Quality Control, or Laboratory Operations within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous supervisory or people leadership experience, including coaching, training, and performance management of technical teams.
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems, laboratory operations, traceability, allergen management, and food safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the daily operations of the Quality Assurance Laboratory, including sensory, microbiological, allergen, and analytical testing activities, while ensuring compliance with quality, food safety, regulatory, and workplace safety requirements.
• Supervise, coach, and develop laboratory team members by providing training, technical guidance, performance feedback, and support to ensure testing methods, laboratory procedures, equipment maintenance, and safety standards are consistently followed.
• Manage allergen control and food safety programs, including policy administration, risk assessments, investigations, training activities, vendor and material evaluations, and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions to protect product integrity and consumer safety.
• Lead traceability and recall readiness activities by coordinating mock recalls, verifying material and product traceability, maintaining supporting documentation, and ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Maintain and continuously improve quality management systems by managing training records, reviewing procedures and standards, monitoring quality metrics, supporting investigations, and ensuring all quality documentation remains accurate and up to date.
• Plan, coordinate, and support internal and external audits while ensuring compliance with applicable quality, food safety, environmental, and occupational health and safety standards.
• Serve as a key quality resource for the factory by collaborating with cross-functional teams, supporting change management activities, conducting shop floor quality observations, and driving a culture of quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Provide backup support for critical Quality Assurance activities, including product release, laboratory testing, food safety programs, quality investigations, and other operational quality functions as required.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Team leadership

Data analysis

Excel

PowerPoint

Power BI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science / Microbiology / Chemistry

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

PowerPoint

Job description

Position Snapshot
Business area: NestléCanada
Job Title: QA Team Lead (18 months contract)
Location: 72 Sterling Road, Toronto, ON M6R 2B6
Onsite

A little bit about us

While Nestlé is known for KitKat®, Gerber®, Nescafe®, and Maggi®, our recipe for success comes down to one thing: our people.

We strive to lead a people-focused culture that empowers employees to bring their authentic selves to work each day. There are 3,400+ members of Nestlé Canada celebrated for taking action using agility, courage, and trust to find solutions that benefit the business or greater good. We’re a team of changemakers, who are curious and challenge the status quo, that take risks that will help drive us forward.

Our focus is not only on nourishing our customers, but also about enriching you. We know that empowerment leads to strong employee engagement, a great work culture, and motivated employees.

What to Expect:

We are looking for a Quality Assurance Team Lead based at our Sterling Road factory, 72 Sterling Road, Toronto, ON M6R 2B6, reporting directly to the Quality Assurance Manager. Serving as the right-hand support to the Quality Assurance Manager, this role partners closely with the Manager on the day-to-day leadership of the QA function and acts as a key point of contact in the Manager’s absence. The Quality Assurance Team Lead ensures that products are released on time and in compliance with internal and external requirements. Responsible for the correct functioning of the laboratory, including personnel safety, equipment capabilities, internal and external quality control. Ensuring compliance to quality programs and providing guidance to direct reports. Responsible for the proper implementation and regular update of the laboratory quality requirements. Perform training of operators and other technicians in performing simple analysis and tests related to their working area (as needed). This position is an existing vacancy.

A day in the life:

• Lead and oversee the daily operations of the Quality Assurance Laboratory, including sensory, microbiological, allergen, and analytical testing activities, while ensuring compliance with quality, food safety, regulatory, and workplace safety requirements.
• Supervise, coach, and develop laboratory team members by providing training, technical guidance, performance feedback, and support to ensure testing methods, laboratory procedures, equipment maintenance, and safety standards are consistently followed.
• Manage allergen control and food safety programs, including policy administration, risk assessments, investigations, training activities, vendor and material evaluations, and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions to protect product integrity and consumer safety.
• Lead traceability and recall readiness activities by coordinating mock recalls, verifying material and product traceability, maintaining supporting documentation, and ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Maintain and continuously improve quality management systems by managing training records, reviewing procedures and standards, monitoring quality metrics, supporting investigations, and ensuring all quality documentation remains accurate and up to date.
• Plan, coordinate, and support internal and external audits while ensuring compliance with applicable quality, food safety, environmental, and occupational health and safety standards.
• Serve as a key quality resource for the factory by collaborating with cross-functional teams, supporting change management activities, conducting shop floor quality observations, and driving a culture of quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Provide backup support for critical Quality Assurance activities, including product release, laboratory testing, food safety programs, quality investigations, and other operational quality functions as required.

Role Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Quality Assurance, or a related scientific discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Quality Control, or Laboratory Operations within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous supervisory or people leadership experience, including coaching, training, and performance management of technical teams is required.
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems, laboratory operations, traceability, allergen management, and food safety compliance.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and provide operational support outside standard business hours when required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with working knowledge of Power BI for data analysis, reporting, and presentation development.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or food and beverage production environments.
• Working knowledge of FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, HACCP, GMP, and internal or external audit processes.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and driving quality excellence within a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent training and development programs, with opportunities for growth within the company.
• Up to 50% off Nespresso coffee machines, capsules, and accessories.
• Access to company discount stores offering Nestlé, Nespresso, and Purina products at various Nestlé offices and sites.
• Additional discounts on a variety of products and services offered through preferred vendors and partners.

Compensation Range: CAD 75,000 to CAD 80,000

At Nestlé Canada, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation and job posting practices. This position offers a competitive salary within the range specified above, aligned with our commitment to equitable pay practices.

Nestlé Canada is an equal-opportunity employer. The principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are vital to how we operate. We strive to foster a respectful and supportive environment where individuals feel valued and empowered to contribute and succeed.

If you are invited to participate in the recruitment process and require an accommodation, please inform Human Resources. Nestlé will work with you to ensure full participation.