Sr. Specialist, Quality Assurance, Strategic Initiatives

myview; Brampton; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Loblaw Companies Limited is seeking a Senior Quality Assurance Specialist - Strategic Initiatives to lead QA workstreams across supplier and manufacturing changes, drive risk-based decision making, and ensure product safety and quality at scale.

You will collaborate with Product Development, Sourcing, Regulatory Affairs, and Operations to align requirements, document validations, and implement corrective actions, while maintaining strong quality governance and continuous improvement across the

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering or a related scientific or technical discipline.
• 4-7 years of relevant experience in food manufacturing, quality assurance, process technology, R&D or a closely related technical role, including direct involvement in manufacturing operations.
• Essential: Demonstrated ability to design, execute and interpret manufacturing process-validation activities, including commercial plant trials, process parameters, sampling plans, acceptanc

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned QA workstreams for supplier and manufacturing transitions, ingredient or formulation changes, regulatory updates, quality improvement programs, supply challenges and other business‑critical initiatives.
• Complete risk-based technical assessments across product, process, site and supplier changes; identify critical food safety and quality risks, define mitigation actions, and recommend clear go/no‑go criteria.
• Work with Product Development, Product Management, Sourcing, Regulatory Affairs, Operations and suppliers to align technical requirements, milestones, decisions and implementation readiness.
• Maintain thorough project documentation, specifications, test results, validation conclusions and clear status updates; elevate unresolved risk promptly to the Senior Manager.
• Plan, lead and critically assess factory trials, start‑ups and commercial‑scale production runs to confirm that manufacturing processes consistently deliver safe, compliant products meeting defined quality and sensory attributes.
• Evaluate equipment capability, process flow, ingredient functionality and variability, critical control points, process parameters, operating ranges, line capability and in‑process/finished‑product controls.
• Develop or assess process‑validation protocols with suppliers: establish objectives, sampling plans, acceptance criteria and required evidence; review results, investigate deviations and determine whether repeat trials or additional controls are required.
• Verify that changes are repeatable under normal production conditions and that critical process parameters, product specifications, monitoring methods and corrective actions are documented and sustainable.
• Apply fit‑for‑purpose studies including shelf life, allergen management, microbiological and analytical testing, sensory evaluation, packaging integrity and distribution/transport testing, according to risk.
• Investigate complex non‑conformances, customer complaint trends and recurring product or process failures; drive evidence‑based root‑cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions and checks of sustained effectiveness.

Skills

QA leadership

Risk assessment

Process validation

Supplier collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Data-driven decisions

Education

Degree in Food Science or Food 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 central to the trust Canadians place in Loblaw Control Brands. As a Senior Quality Assurance Specialist - Strategic Initiatives, you will be a hands‑on technical leader who helps deliver complex changes across products, suppliers and manufacturing operations without compromising safety, quality, consumer experience or supply continuity.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, QA - Strategic Initiatives, you will independently lead assigned QA workstreams within a portfolio of cross‑functional initiatives. You will translate technical risk into practical action, partner with suppliers and internal teams, and build the evidence required to confidently implement change. A critical part of this role is the ability to assess, challenge and validate manufacturing processes at commercial scale‑not simply review finished‑product results.

Where you will make an impact

Deliver enterprise change with strong QA executi on

• Lead assigned QA workstreams for supplier and manufacturing transitions, ingredient or formulation changes, regulatory updates, quality improvement programs, supply challenges and other business‑critical initiatives.
• Complete risk‑based technical assessments across product, process, site and supplier changes; identify critical food safety and quality risks, define mitigation actions, and recommend clear go/no‑go criteria.
• Work with Product Development, Product Management, Sourcing, Regulatory Affairs, Operations and suppliers to align technical requirements, milestones, decisions and implementation readiness.
• Maintain thorough project documentation, specifications, test results, validation conclusions and clear status updates; elevate unresolved risk promptly to the Senior Manager.

Validate manufacturing processes and protect product performance

• Plan, lead and critically assess factory trials, start‑ups and commercial‑scale production runs to confirm that manufacturing processes consistently deliver safe, compliant products meeting defined quality and sensory attributes.
• Evaluate equipment capability, process flow, ingredient functionality and variability, critical control points, process parameters, operating ranges, line capability and in‑process/finished‑product controls.
• Develop or assess process‑validation protocols with suppliers: establish objectives, sampling plans, acceptance criteria and required evidence; review results, investigate deviations and determine whether repeat trials or additional controls are required.
• Verify that changes are repeatable under normal production conditions and that critical process parameters, product specifications, monitoring methods and corrective actions are documented and sustainable.
• Apply fit‑for‑purpose studies including shelf life, allergen management, microbiological and analytical testing, sensory evaluation, packaging integrity and distribution/transport testing, according to risk.

Strengthen quality governance and continuous improvement

• Apply HACCP principles, applicable Canadian food regulations, GFSI‑recognized food safety scheme requirements, Loblaw standards and quality management system expectations to project decisions.
• Investigate complex non‑conformances, customer complaint trends and recurring product or process failures; drive evidence‑based root‑cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions and checks of sustained effectiveness.
• Partner with suppliers to improve process capability and quality controls; constructively challenge technical assumptions and identify systemic opportunities to simplify, standardize and strengthen QA practices.
• Provide concise, data‑led technical recommendations and communicate readiness, validation outcomes, key risks and required decisions to the Senior Manager and cross‑functional stakeholders.

What you brin g

• Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering or a related scientific or technical discipline.
• 4-7 years of relevant experience in food manufacturing, quality assurance, process technology, R&D or a closely related technical role, including direct involvement in manufacturing operations.
• Essential: Demonstrated ability to design, execute and interpret manufacturing process‑validation activities, including commercial plant trials, process parameters, sampling plans, acceptanc