Senior Manager Innovation Process Development

Cronos is an innovative global cannabinoid company committed to building disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology, and product development. With a passion to responsibly elevate the consumer experience, Cronos is building an iconic brand portfolio. Cronos’ diverse international brand portfolio includes Spinach, PEACE NATURALS and Lord Jones. For more information about Cronos and its brands, please visit: https://thecronosgroup.com/.

At Cronos Group, we hire talented people who thrive on solving difficult problems and give them the opportunity to hone new skills and approaches. If you want to play a part in shaping an innovative industry and help build a historically significant company, we want to meet you.

As the Sr. Manager Innovation Process Development, you'll strategize and execute process development and product, and ingredient scale up & optimization projects. This role focuses on scaling bench-top processes to pilot scale and commercial production, optimizing manufacturing parameters, and supporting process validation to deliver high quality, consistent cannabis products and ensure regulatory compliance and efficiency across all phases of process development and manufacturing scale-up. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, you'll drive process development activities from concept to execution.

Responsibilities include evaluating manufacturing options, scaling product & process development, overseeing commercialization & tech transfer to operations. You'll also conduct capacity analyses, develop GMP and HACCP-compliant processes, and represent our company in technical discussions. We seek a proactive, experienced individual with a strong manufacturing or process engineering background, possessing analytical, problem-solving, and excellent communication skills, who thrives in a fast-paced environment. Experience in cannabis or pharmaceutical industries (or similarly regulated environments) is an asset. The ideal candidate is energetic, collaborative, and forward-thinking.

This position is based out of Stayner, Ontario.

What you’ll be doing:

Tech Transfer, Scale up & Process Development

• Lead the end-to-end tech transfer process from R&D to Operations. Develop Tech Transfer plans and validation studies including critical process parameters and critical quality attributes, and production readiness criteria.
• Lead in-depth research to identify potential equipment and processing solutions, including cost-benefit analysis and return on investment (ROI) evaluations, focusing on their suitability from the early prototyping phase to scale up.
• Work in close collaboration with Engineering, Operations, and Commercialization teams; facilitating the identification of suitable equipment vendors and process flows (e.g. layout design, throughput optimization, safety standards).
• Collaborate closely with R&D and Engineering teams to translate new product concepts into scalable manufacturing processes.
• Develop initial and continually optimize process flows, assisting operations with defining labour, time, and process loss estimates.
• Drive the scale-up activity for product & bulk ingredient development, turning technical product specifications and manufacturing specifications into implementable action plans.
• Serve as the central communication hub between different teams such as product development, engineering, commercialization, and operations.
• Represent the company in technical discussions with vendors, service providers, and contract manufacturers.
• Actively seek and implement process optimization, leveraging feedback from various teams and operational data.
• Draft initial capacity analysis in-line with product development formulations.
• Work with the cross-functional team in carrying out machine capability analysis and FMEA.
• Travel to and from global Cronos Group Facilities, 3rd party contract manufacturers, and other remote locations for product development purposes.

Documentation and Training:

• Develop new processes with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles.
• Draft initial batch records and training records, ensuring traceability and alignment with regulatory guidelines.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Product Development teams to create Routings and comprehensive BOMs.
• Design and implement standard scale-up process templates and tools.

Continuous Improvement:

• Gather feedback post-launch to identify areas for process and product improvements.
• Support cost reduction initiatives by refining formulations and production methods.

Your Environment:

• Able to work in varying temperatures.
• Able to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Overtime as required.
• Frequent time spent in production & laboratory environments.
• Fast-paced environment.
• Comply with all cannabis handling and safety procedures, including PPE usage.

You’ll need to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or other related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience with a proven track record of successful product commercialization in scale up process engineering.
• Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Experience with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and machine capability analysis.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in technical negotiations and representing company interests with external parties.
• Proficiency in relevant software, such as CAD, CAM, or specific manufacturing-related software.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Open to travel for vendor meetings, equipment inspections, or related activities.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, and we welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities and people with diverse backgrounds, identities, and cultures. For candidates with disabilities, accommodations are available upon request in all phases of the selection process.