Corporate Quality Assurance Specialist at Certified Laboratories Inc – Kitchener, Ontario

Certified Group is a leading North American provider of laboratory testing and audit and certification services. The Certified Group of companies includes Food Safety Net Services (FSNS), Certified Laboratories, EAS Consulting Group, Labstat International Inc., Advanced Botanical Consulting & Testing (ABC Testing Inc.), Microconsult Inc. and Micro Quality Labs Inc. The Certified Group provides analytical testing and regulatory guidance services in the food & beverage, dietary supplements & NHP, cosmetics, OTC, personal care, tobacco, cannabis, nicotine and hemp industries.

We are currently looking for a Corporate Quality Assurance Specialist to join our growing team!

Job Summary:

Responsible for Quality database administration, data consolidation, data analysis, management, reporting and interpretation of data. Report development includes individual reports, dashboards and ad-hoc queries. Collaborating with various functional teams at FSNS to achieve business results is critical. Provide assistance in the maintenance of the Quality system as it applies to laboratory operations and the performance of chemical and microbiological testing of food products and environmental samples. Responsible for assisting the Corporate Quality Department the deployment of quality related verification programs, examples include, but not limited to; Proficiency Testing Programs, Laboratory Control Samples, etc.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Work with the user community to ascertain reporting requirements, then develop proper methods for extracting and displaying the data to the user in the form of reports or dashboards
• Assist in the oversight of quality system documentation to maintain ISO/IEC 17025 and SCC compliance and other certification/requirements directed by the company.
• Develop routine reports, analytics and correspondences including, but not limited to; Training, Quality Assurance
• Oversight of the Proficiency Testing program including, but not limited to; scheduling, procurement of samples, deployment to laboratories, reporting and corrective action management.
• Ensure that the Corrective Preventive Action database is monitored for appropriate completion and closeout
• Oversight and management of all applicable in-house calibration programs.
• Continuously review and maintain technical aspects of FSNS documents, including but not limited to, Work Instructions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Manuals and Methods in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Manager and ensure compliance with reference standards.
• Verification of the technical training programs for current as well as new laboratory personnel to include verification and compliance assessments for all facilities in compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 requirements.
• Leverage technical audit results into training program elements for continuous improvement.
• Perform internal audits as scheduled.
• Assist in the improvement and maintenance QMS documentation system as appropriate.
• Manage corporate client profiles.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Education & Experience:

• BS degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Technology, or related field
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Laboratory / technical auditing experience preferred
• Knowledge of GLP standards
• Hands on experience in a microbiological and chemical testing environment
• 2 years’ experience in a commercial testing laboratory
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Data Analytics capability
• Ability to navigate Microsoft office with proficiency in Excel, basic statistical analysis power BI, and other similar software programs.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and to handle other communications/computer components
• Noise level varies from quiet to loud
• Temperature varies from hot to cold
• Interactive and fast-paced team-oriented tasks
• Extensive overnight travel is required
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Color vision and depth perception

Certified Group values diversity in its workforce. The company is firmly committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity and will administer its policies in a manner that treats each employee and applicant for employment on the basis of merit. Certified Group will take affirmative action to seek out qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status.