Quality Assurance Specialist

Ontario Cannabis Store; Toronto; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cannabis retailer in Ontario is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist to oversee quality programs and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a Science or Engineering field and 2-3 years of experience in Quality Assurance within a manufacturing environment. This full-time position is based in Toronto, with occasional travel required for site visits.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in Quality Assurance/Control within a food or cannabis manufacturing environment.
• Training related to requirements of the Cannabis Regulations.
• Experience in a regulated industry and QA work in a GMP environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee quality programs for cannabis and ensure product compliance.
• Track quality metrics and prepare reports on quality activities.
• Support vendor performance reviews and manage customer complaints.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical writing

Data analysis

Microsoft Excel

Report preparation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a Science or Engineering field

Post Graduate Certification in Cannabis Quality Control/Assurance or Regulatory Affairs

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM Systems

SharePoint

Job description

About Us

The Ontario Cannabis Store provides safe, responsible access to recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older. We operate the sole legal online store for recreational cannabis in Ontario and are the provincial wholesaler of cannabis for private retail stores.

Working at the OCS is a unique opportunity to be part of an agile start-up in a ground-breaking new industry. We’re a diverse team passionate about delivering a great customer experience, working together with mutual respect and building value out of our differences. We’re an inclusive organization that understands that delivering great results comes out of ensuring every voice is heard.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist who will oversee quality programs for cannabis and ensure that products meet both regulatory and OCS requirements. In this role, you’ll drive the standardization of processes (SOPs) and support continuous improvement initiatives to promote quality excellence and vendor compliance.

You’ll leverage your knowledge of regulatory guidelines, corporate standards, and industry best practices to conduct risk assessments and inspections, review technical documentation, and analyze risk-based trends. You’ll also play a key role in establishing and maintaining quality standards and procedures that support the success of OCS, vendors, and private retailers.

About Your Day

• Track quality metrics/performance data, identify trends, gaps and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Prepare reports to communicate the outcomes of quality activities.
• Perform data analysis to identify trends, gaps and recommend updates/ changes to quality standards and procedures as needed.
• Gather insights from data such as regulatory compliance, Quality operations and consumer complaints to drive improvement opportunities.
• Analyze complaints data to identify trends and generate Quality Performance Reports
• Manage CRM, SharePoint and various other repositories utilized for data.
• Coordinate and support vendor performances reviews both externally and internally.
• Engage with OCS vendors to increase awareness and maintain conformance of quality and safety requirements through complaints investigation and supplier corrective actions response management.
• Ensure timely closures of customer complaints and Supplier corrective actions reports (SCAR) to meet departmental timeline objectives.
• Monitor risk management activities and escalate as required.
• Assure ongoing compliance with quality and industry regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams for supplier onboarding processes.
• Review and maintain records of reported quality incidents and investigation reports.
• Support SCAR projects with cross-functional team.
• Perform quality inspection in accordance with protocol/procedures for product receipt at OCS warehouse.
• Identify, communicate, and investigate with suppliers on non-conformance observations as part of quality inspection and follow up on action items until completion.
• Review Certificate of Analysis (COA) and applicable records for compliance.
• Perform label/packaging review of product call submissions in compliance to Cannabis Act, Cannabis Regulations, and related regulations.
• Communicate to suppliers of non-conformance observations as part of label/packaging review and work with suppliers for resolution.
• Support in handling recalls and working stakeholders to ensure containment of impacted products, reconciliation of inventory and closure.
• Provide regulatory guidance and work cross-functionally with other quality stream departments and internal stakeholders with inquiries related to quality.
• Support departmental projects through active participation, testing and training.

About You

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Science or Engineering field (e.g., Industrial, food Microbiology, etc.); Post Graduate Certification in Cannabis Quality Control/Assurance or Regulatory Affairs, SQF or GMP is preferred
• 2-3 years of experience in Quality Assurance / Quality Control within a food or pharmaceutical and/or Cannabis manufacturing environment
• Training, experience and technical knowledge related to the requirements of the Cannabis Regulations and related Regulations for all classes of cannabis.
• QA work experience in a GMP environment is an asset
• Experience working in a warehouse/distribution center environment is preferred
• Experience in a regulated industry, manufacturing operations, cross-functional such as regulatory affairs, category management, retail supply chain, customer care, and government agencies is an asset
• Quality Management System Certification is an asset
• Excellent interpersonal, reporting and technical written and verbal communication skills
• Intermediate MS Office Skills including Excel and PowerPoint

About the Job

• Location: Toronto, ON near York Mills and Yonge Street
• Hours of Work: 36.25 a week
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent (Bargaining Unit Role; Represented by OPSEU)
• Flexibility to work at the Guelph Warehouse location when required
• Required Travel: Occasional Travel - Ability to travel throughout the province for LP site visits as required by business needs (up to 2 times per quarter). Locations can be outside of GTA in rural areas, as such reliable transportation is required.
• Application Deadline: September 24, 2025

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $ 73,113-$78,000. This is a pay grade 7 Bargaining Unit role, with a salary range of $ 73,113 - $ 89,361. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

We are committed to providing an accessible, equitable and inclusive candidate and employee experience. We provide reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process and in employment. If you require an accommodation please let us know, we will work with you to meet your needs.