The FSQA Manager oversees daily food safety and quality assurance operations for the farm, ensuring compliance with CFIA, FDA regulations, customer requirements, and internal standards. This role implements and maintains food safety programs — including HACCP, SSOPs, GMPs, SQF and environmental monitoring — while supporting continuous improvement in product quality and operational performance. The FSQA Manager manages audits, maintains daily communication with the FSQA team, and partners with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and customers to resolve operational issues and maintain product integrity.
This role reports to the FSQA Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance.
Responsibilities
Quality Assurance Functions:
- Manage, lead and develop the FSQA team, including hiring, training, and performance evaluation.
- Responsible for the development, deployment, implementation, and on-going execution of the food safety preventive controls program (Policies, SOPs, Hazard Analysis, HACCP Plan, Prerequisite Food Safety Programs, Traceability & Recall Process, Labeling Programs, and Associated Records).
- Supports determination of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), monitor adherence, track and communicate progress, report results to QA and Operations Leaders and assess improvement opportunities
- Collaborates with the Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance and cross-functional area leaders in (Operations, Horticulture, Maintenance, Sales, and HR) to ensure the food safety program is implemented
- Complete trending and analysis of shelf life, KPIs & GMPs
- Perform pre-operational inspections, online product analysis, inspection, and observation for any deviation to the standard product specifications. Line inspection includes but not limited to weight checks of products, temperature checks, metal detector checks, code checks, verifying line paperwork in a systematic fashion.
- Monitor adherence to raw materials, in-process, and finished product specifications; oversee required testing (pH, titration, micro sampling, temperature etc.) and verification activities
- Lead root cause analysis and implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
- Filing, preparing reports, data entry, inventory and performing other related duties as required.
- Conduct routine facility walkthroughs and inspections, including off-site warehouses. Report unsafe situations
Food Safety Programs and Procedures:
- Develop, implement, and maintain food safety and quality programs, including SFCR, HACCP, FSMA, GMP, SSOPs, allergen control, traceability, and sanitation programs
- Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of the SQF System as the site SQF Practitioner.
- Ensure compliance with CFIA, FDA, USDA, and other regulatory agencies as well as third-party SQF certification standards.
- Assist in HACCP reassessment activities including but not limited to verification and validation of CCP’s, labels, and pre-requisite programs.
- Analysis and interpretation of microbiological testing and follow-up actions relating to food safety.
- Own the implementation and maintenance of the Alchemy Coach program, including GoodLeaf’s Food Safety Training Program
- Train facility personnel on GMPs, prerequisite programs, and food safety system elements.
- Participate actively in the continual improvement of the farm sanitation program.
- Monitor and recognize food safety issues and follow through Hold and Release program as it applies to raw materials and/or finished products. Perform food safety assessments as required.
- Serve as site lead during audits and inspections (customer, regulatory, and third-party)
- All other duties as assigned.
Education and Qualifications
- Post-secondary education in food science, microbiology, or related field of study.
- Experience with the proper and safe handling of pathogens.
- Working knowledge of various analytical instruments.
- Certified in HACCP and/or PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual); GFSI (SQF) experience preferred
- QA or QC experience in food manufacturing considered an asset.
- Experience in operating MDS and HACCP/Food Safety training is considered an asset.
Additional Requirements
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- Safety consciousness.
- Experience working and maintaining an internal laboratory are considered an asset.
- Ability to educate and thoroughly explain QA findings and recommendations to a non-QA audience.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to foster and maintain positive business relationships.
- Flexibility with an ability to work additional hours as needed.
- A confident self-starter that thrives in a fast paced and dynamic business environment.
- Natural leadership abilities.
Why work at GoodLeaf Farms?
It is our commitment to provide you with the work environment and tools necessary to be successful in your role. We hope that you will find your work here rewarding, challenging, and meaningful.
- You will have the opportunity to take your career to the next level. GoodLeaf is growing and we want you to grow along with us!
- We have an entrepreneurial and inclusive spirit with the heart of a startup.
- We foster an environment of cooperation and communication.
- We offer competitive compensation and benefits
Pay: From CA$60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- RRSP Program
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Wellness Program
Every day at GoodLeaf Farms we get to help solve the challenge of food security for communities across Canada and do it in innovative ways that inspire healthy lifestyles. We think that’s exciting and the best reason of all to join us!
Equal Opportunity Statement
GoodLeaf Farms is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at GoodLeaf Farms are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, colour, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.
