Quality and Accreditation Lead

GénomeQuébec inc.; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Competitive compensation

Modern offices near Université-de-Mon­

Job summary

Génome Québec inc. is seeking a quality and accreditation expert to support the Centre of Expertise and Services (CES). You will lead accreditation efforts, develop the QMS, and guide teams in applying standards such as ISO 15189 and ISO/IEC 17025 across CES activities.

You will report to the Associate Director of Operations, Technology Centres, and collaborate with directors, team leads, and external consultants to drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance. This is a two-year contract.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in life sciences, laboratory sciences, biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least three years of experience in quality assurance or quality management in a laboratory setting.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with ISO 15189.
• Experience with laboratory quality management systems, audits, and accreditation processes.
• Project management experience and a demonstrated ability to coordinate projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of method validation and verification, nonconformity management, CAPA, internal audits, and document control.
• Assets: direct involvement in obtaining initial ISO 15189 accreditation; knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025; other standards or regulatory requirements; experience in genomics, molecular biology, or molecular diagnostics; NGS, genotyping, or bioinformatics pipelines; training or certification in quality auditing.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to obtain, maintain, and renew CES accreditations, particularly ISO 15189 and ISO/IEC 17025, as well as any new accreditation required as CES activities evolve.
• Coordinate accreditation assessments and serve as the primary contact for assessment bodies.
• Advise and support teams in interpreting and applying the requirements of standards.
• Serve as a resource for management and teams on standards, frameworks, and accreditation requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the QMS.
• Oversee document control, change management, risk management, deviations, and nonconformities.
• Coordinate internal audits, corrective and preventive actions, and management reviews.
• Develop and monitor performance indicators to ensure the QMS is effective and continually improving.
• Assess existing practices and processes and recommend improvements to support evolution of CES activities.
• Help integrate quality principles into daily operations and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Work with directors, technical leads, team leads, and external consultants to advance quality and accreditation objectives.
• Help identify training needs and provide quality-related awareness and support activities.
• Ensure documentation complies with requirements and that current policies, procedures, and guidelines are followed.
• Coordinate activities required to obtain and maintain accreditations, including method validation and verification, proficiency testing, and interlaboratory comparisons.
• Prepare reports and recommendations on QMS performance, accreditation status, and quality-related risks and issues.

Skills

Bilingual English/French

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Undergraduate degree in life sciences or related field

Job description

Help showcase the science shaping our future

At Génome Québec, we believe genomics has the power to address some of society’s greatest challenges, from health and the environment to agriculture and innovation.

For more than 25 years, we have supported leading-edge research and helped establish Québec as a leader in genomics. Every day, we work closely with the scientific community, universities, businesses, and many partners across the research and innovation ecosystem.

We are seeking a professional recognized for their expertise in quality and accreditation to support the continued development of the Centre of Expertise and Services (CES) and uphold the highest quality standards. This is a two-year contract.

If you enjoy tackling complex challenges, serving as a resource on quality matters, helping teams interpret standards, and contributing to the achievement and maintenance of recognized accreditations, this position is for you.

Your contribution

Reporting to the Associate Director of Operations, Technology Centres, you will play a key role in developing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving the CES quality management system (QMS), as well as in efforts to obtain and maintain its accreditations.

You will be central to obtaining, maintaining, and renewing accreditations applicable to CES activities, particularly ISO 15189 and ISO/IEC 17025. You will also help the quality system evolve in response to the CES’s scientific, technological, regulatory, and business needs.

With your proactive approach, attention to detail, and ability to turn the requirements of standards into practical solutions, you will serve as an organization-wide resource on quality and accreditation.

What you will do

Accreditation and compliance

• Lead efforts to obtain, maintain, and renew CES accreditations, particularly ISO 15189 and ISO/IEC 17025, as well as any new accreditation required as CES activities and needs evolve.
• Coordinate accreditation assessments and serve as the primary contact for assessment bodies.
• Advise and support teams in interpreting and applying the requirements of standards.
• Serve as a resource for management and teams on standards, frameworks, and accreditation requirements.

Quality management system

• Develop, implement, and maintain the QMS.
• Oversee document control, change management, risk management, deviations, and nonconformities.
• Coordinate internal audits, corrective and preventive actions, and management reviews.
• Develop and monitor performance indicators to ensure the QMS is effective and continually improving.

Support and continuous improvement

• Assess existing practices and processes and recommend improvements to support the evolution of CES activities.
• Help integrate quality principles into daily operations and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Work with directors, technical leads, team leads, and external consultants to advance quality and accreditation objectives.
• Help identify training needs and provide quality-related awareness and support activities.

Compliance and follow-up

• Ensure documentation complies with requirements and that current policies, procedures, and guidelines are followed.
• Coordinate activities required to obtain and maintain accreditations, including method validation and verification, proficiency testing, and interlaboratory comparisons.
• Prepare reports and recommendations on QMS performance, accreditation status, and quality-related risks and issues.

The profile we are looking for

Education and experience

• An undergraduate degree in life sciences, laboratory sciences, biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least three years of experience in quality assurance or quality management in a laboratory setting.
• Demonstrated hands- on experience with ISO 15189.
• Experience with laboratory quality management systems, audits, and accreditation processes.
• Project management experience and a demonstrated ability to coordinate projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of method validation and verification, nonconformity management, CAPA, internal audits, and document control.
• The following would be assets:
  • Direct involvement in obtaining initial ISO 15189 accreditation.
  • Knowledge of or hands- on experience with ISO/IEC 17025.
  • Knowledge of or experience with other standards, frameworks, or regulatory requirements applicable to laboratories, scientific activities, or CES services.
  • Experience in genomics, molecular biology, or molecular diagnostics.
  • Knowledge of next-generation sequencing (NGS), genotyping, or bioinformatics pipelines.
  • Training or certification in quality auditing.

Skills and abilities

• Proficiency in spoken and written French and English (the person in this role must be able to read and understand specialized documents written in English, use system interfaces, and communicate with suppliers and technical support teams, most of whom are English-speaking).
• Thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Analytical thinking and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• A methodical, structured approach focused on achieving results.
• Excellent ability to manage priorities, deadlines, and multiple projects.
• Team spirit and a collaborative approach.

Because your work will have a real impact.

By joining our team, you will help raise awareness of scientific advances shaping the future of Québec and beyond.

We offer:

• A stimulating, people-centred work environment
• A hybrid work arrangement that supports work-life balance
• Competitive working conditions
• An organizational culture grounded in respect, collaboration, and inclusion
• Modern offices with recently upgraded facilities and advanced technology, located near the Université-de-Montréal metro station

An organization committed to diversity

Génome Québec values equity, diversity, and inclusion and is committed to providing a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute fully to our mission.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply and offer accommodations at every stage of the recruitment process.