Sr. Manager, Quality Assurance - Strategic Initiatives

myview; Brampton; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Loblaw Companies Limited in Canada is seeking a Senior Manager, Quality Assurance - Strategic Initiatives to lead QA initiatives across supplier transitions, formulation changes and regulatory updates, ensuring product safety and supply continuity. Based in Brampton, you will drive risk-based plans and collaborate with the QA team and cross-functional partners.

You will coach three Senior QA Specialists, align stakeholders, and deliver clear decisions, standards, and performance metrics to

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and people management abilities.
• Deep knowledge of HACCP and food safety systems.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Own QA initiatives portfolio across enterprise-wide changes.
• Lead QA assessment of supplier transitions and process changes.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Sourcing, Regulatory Affairs and Operations.
• Ensure evidence-based decisions and post-change monitoring.
• Provide executive updates on KPIs and risk exposure.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Assurance

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Degree in Food Science/Engineering

Job description

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued - as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®.

At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

Why this role matters

Quality and food safety are essential to the trust Canadians place in Loblaw Control Brands. The Senior Manager, Quality Assurance - Strategic Initiatives turns complex, business-critical change into sustainable quality outcomes across the enterprise. From supplier and manufacturing transitions to evolving regulatory expectations, strategic transformation and recurring product issues, this leader anticipates risk, establishes clear QA direction and helps the business move forward with confidence.

Leading a team of three Senior QA Specialists, this role owns the QA workstream for a portfolio of cross-functional initiatives. It connects technical rigur with pragmatic execution-protecting product integrity, consumer experience, regulatory compliance and continuity of supply while enabling innovation and business priorities.

Where you will make an impact

Lead enterprise initiatives and complex change

• Own and prioritize the QA portfolio for enterprise-wide initiatives, translating business objectives into clear scope, risk-based plans, decision points, milestones and measurable outcomes.
• Lead QA assessment of supplier transitions, ingredient or formulation changes, manufacturing/process changes, supply challenges, regulatory updates and product performance issues; define the evidence and approvals needed before implementation.
• Partner with Product Management, Product Development, Sourcing, Regulatory Affairs, Operations and vendors to balance food safety, quality, customer experience, timing, cost and supply continuity-escalating material trade-offs with clear recommendations.
• Drive readiness through implementation, including technical reviews, commercial-scale validation where appropriate, specification and control updates, documented decisions and post-change performance monitoring.

Strengthen food safety, quality and governance

• Set a consistent, risk-based approach to evaluating product, process and supplier changes, including HACCP considerations, allergen controls, shelf life, product testing, sensory performance and various other processes impactful to the product.
• Oversee critical-to-quality requirements, manufacturing and finished-product specifications, acceptance criteria and verification plans so changes do not undermine safety, quality or product consistency.
• Embed applicable Canadian food regulations, internal standards, quality management system requirements and GFSI-recognized food safety principles into initiative planning and execution.
• Lead the response to significant quality risks, recurring non-conformances and emerging customer complaint trends; challenge root-cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions and evidence of sustained effectiveness.

Build a high-performing team and influence across functions

• Lead, coach and develop three Senior QA Specialists; set accountabilities, manage capacity, establish objectives and build technical judgment, collaboration and succession capability.
• Create alignment among senior stakeholders and suppliers through direct, evidence-led communication; constructively challenge proposed solutions when risk is not adequately controlled.
• Provide concise executive updates, KPIs and decision-ready insights on initiative progress, risk exposure, validation status, non-conformance trends and delivery against commitments.
• Identify systemic issues and simplify or standardize processes, tools and controls to improve consistency, speed, accountability and continuous improvement across QA.

What you bring

• Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering or a related scientific or technical discipline.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in food quality assurance, food manufacturing, CPG or related technical leadership, including leading cross-functional projects and people.
• Strong application of HACCP, GFSI-benchmarked standards, quality management systems, Canadian food regulations and risk-based decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex product and manufacturing changes, evaluate specifications and validation evidence, manage supplier issues and support commercial implementation.
• Proven people leadership with the ability to coach experienced specialists, allocate priorities and drive performance in a fast-moving environment.
• Excellent analytical judgment, root-cause problem solving, progra