Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance - Director of Quality Assurance

Toronto, ON, Canada

Job Description

Who we are

Since starting with a single family-owned artesian spring in Canada, Flow has grown rapidly. And our commitment to providing naturally alkaline, naturally delicious spring water without the plastic bottle has grown as well. As a Certified B Corporation, Flow meets the highest social and environmental standards. From our 100% recyclable, 68-75% renewable packaging to our minimal use of natural resources, Flow works to provide sustainable hydration and to protect our planet for generations to come.

Director of Quality Assurance

Job Title: Director of Quality and Operational Excellence

Department: Quality Assurance

Line Manager: Senior Vice President, Operations

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Shift: Day Shift (Monday – Friday). Other days (including weekend) and times as may be required

Salary : CAD $130k to $150k

Job Summary:

The Director of Quality Assurance and Operational Excellence is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of Flow’s Quality, Food Safety Management Systems, and Continuous Improvement programs, ensuring compliance with BRC, customer requirements, and all regulatory standards.

The role collaborates closely with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Engineering, Procurement, and external partners to ensure consistent quality and seamless execution across the entire production ecosystem including but not limited to maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, driving Operational Excellence, ensuring aseptic processing integrity, and overseeing Co-Pack/Co-Manufacturing relationships to protect Flow and co-pack brand standards and product safety.

Key Responsibilities

- Quality & Food Safety Leadership

- Lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Flow’s Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with BRCGS, CFIA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, and industry-standard aseptic practices.

- Develop and follow through on strategic KPIs for business quality assessment.

- Promote a culture of Quality through effective training, coaching, and recruitment of the right talents.

- Report and present organizational quality performance to top management for continuous improvement

- Oversee Quality operations and manage functional budget and overhead

- Serve as the primary authority for escalated food safety and quality decisions.

2. Quality Assurance Operations Management

- Oversee plant-wide QA operations and personnel including Quality Managers, Supervisors, Coordinators, and Technicians.

- Ownership of incoming material inspections, COA verification, batch and process information and record review, product disposition decisions, laboratory operations, quality control testing, and finished product release.

- Provide timely resolution to consumer & customer complaints, quality deviations/non-conformances and implement robust Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).

- Develop and manage internal and external audits plans, always ensuring business’ audit-readiness.

- Drive effective root cause investigations using structured tools (5-Why, Fishbone, DMAIC).

- Maintain all quality documentation including SOPs, policies, validation protocols, and technical standards.

3. Aseptic Processing & Manufacturing Support

- Provide technical oversight on aseptic filling, sterilization, SIP/CIP, and environmental control programs.

- Validate aseptic equipment, critical control parameters, and sterility assurance systems.

- Support Engineering in equipment commissioning, EPEs, and qualification activities.

- Collaborate with R&D to commercialize new formulations while guaranteeing compliance with aseptic handling requirements.

4. Supplier Quality & Material Compliance

- Lead supplier qualification and ongoing performance management.

- Conduct supplier audits and risk assessments for raw & packaging materials, and sanitation chemical vendors.

- Manage supplier deviations, corrective actions, and risk mitigation plans.

- Ensure all supplier documentation meets Flow’s quality and food safety standards.

5. Co-Pack and Co-Manufacturing Quality Oversight

- Serve as the primary quality lead for all Co-Pack and Co-Manufacturing (Co-Man) partners.

- Develop, implement, and maintain the Co-Man Quality Governance Framework, including onboarding requirements, quality agreements, audit expectations, and performance scorecards.

- Conduct regular on-site visits to Co-Man facilities to review compliance with Flow’s QMS, GMPs, HACCP plans, and product handling standards.

- Lead Co-Man qualification, including facility audits, process capability assessments, and validation reviews.

- Review and approve Production Records, COAs, deviation reports, and batch releases from Co-Man partners.

- Monitor Co-Man performance via KPIs such as RFT, consumer complaints, micro/sterility deviations, and cost of poor quality.

- Lead investigations and CAPAs for Co-Man-related incidents, ensuring timely closure and sustainable corrective actions.

- Serve as the QA escalation contact for product holds, recalls, or serious quality events occurring at partner facilities.

- Ensure Co-Man partners maintain regulatory compliance and adhere to Flow’s brand and quality requirements.

6. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

- Improve product quality, reduce waste, and increase process capability through the implementation of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

- Develop and track quality KPIs such as RFT, environmental performance, micro deviations, Cost of Quality, and audit scores.

- Digitize quality processes including electronic batch records, automated CAPA systems, and real-time data dashboards.

- Champion a culture of continuous improvement throughout QA and Operations teams.

- Build, coach, and mentor a high-performing QA team that excels in technical expertise and operational discipline.

- Provide ongoing training on GMPs, aseptic practices, sanitation, and quality standards and tools across the plant.

- Promote a proactive quality culture that encourages accountability, transparency, and collaboration.

- Represent the Quality function in cross-functional leadership meetings and strategic planning discussions.

Qualifications & Experience

- Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or other relevant areas; Master’s preferred.

- 10+ years of progressive QA leadership experience in dairy, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packaging environments.

- Experience in and strong understanding of aseptic packaging operation and the relevant regulatory requirements.

- Experience managing Co-Pack or Co-Man quality programs.

- Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt (asset).

- Excellent communication, analytical, and leadership skills.

- Strategic Leadership

- Technical Quality & Food Safety Expertise

- Business Acumen

- Operational Excellence Mindset

- Problem-Solving and Data-Driven Decision Making

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