QC Manager

Quality Control Manager (Contract)

Location: Brantford, Ontario (Onsite)
Salary: $65,000–$75,000

Position Summary

Our client, a leading food manufacturing organization, is seeking an experienced Quality Control Manager to lead the daily operations of its Quality Control department. This contract leadership opportunity is ideal for an individual who is passionate about food safety, laboratory operations, continuous improvement, and developing high-performing teams.

Reporting to the Director of Food Safety & Quality, the Quality Control Manager will oversee laboratory operations, quality systems, compliance programs, and quality personnel while partnering closely with Operations, Production, R&D, Procurement, and Regulatory Affairs. The successful candidate will play a critical role in strengthening quality performance, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring products consistently meet customer, regulatory, and company standards.

This role also serves as the backup to the Director of Food Safety & Quality, providing leadership continuity and supporting key quality and food safety initiatives across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Team Development

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Quality Control department, ensuring priorities are effectively managed and laboratory activities are completed on schedule.
• Recruit, coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing Quality Control team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, goal setting, and development planning for team members.
• Manage employee onboarding, training, competency assessments, and succession planning initiatives.
• Develop department staffing schedules to ensure appropriate laboratory coverage while providing hands-on support when required.
• Build employee engagement through regular communication, performance feedback, and professional development.

Quality Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Quality Management System (QMS) programs, procedures, and documentation.
• Ensure all laboratory procedures, SOPs, work instructions, and quality documentation remain accurate, current, and audit ready.
• Drive Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, waste reduction, and process optimization.
• Lead multiple Continuous Improvement projects annually using structured problem-solving methodologies (A3, Lean, Root Cause Analysis, CAPA).
• Monitor quality performance metrics and identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement through data analysis.

Laboratory Operations & Quality Programs

• Oversee all laboratory operations, testing activities, and quality verification programs.
• Manage product hold and release decisions, non-conforming product investigations, CAPA activities, and product disposition.
• Ensure laboratory methods are validated and compliant with regulatory and customer requirements.
• Oversee:
• Raw material testing programs
• Laboratory data integrity
• Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
• Product specifications and recipe management
• Retain sample programs
• Expired material controls
• Laboratory inventory and supply management
• Third-party laboratory testing coordination
• Maintain laboratory equipment, testing procedures, and quality records in accordance with company standards.

Compliance & Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with CFIA, FDA, BRCGS, HACCP, GMP, customer requirements, and internal quality standards.
• Support internal, customer, certification, and regulatory audits while maintaining audit readiness throughout the year.
• Participate as an active member of the Food Safety Team and promote a strong food safety culture throughout the organization.
• Lead customer complaint investigations, corrective actions, and preventive action programs.
• Ensure document control, change management, deviation management, and training systems remain effective and compliant.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Operations, Production, Procurement, Supplier Quality, and R&D to resolve quality issues and support successful product commercialization.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing teams to minimize waste, product holds, and quality concerns.
• Support process validations, product trials, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage quality-related digital systems and databases while driving improvements to reporting accuracy and workflow efficiency.
• Leverage technology and AI-enabled tools to improve quality reporting, visibility, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 3–5 years of leadership experience within Quality Control in a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of food safety systems including HACCP, GMP, BRCGS, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience leading laboratory operations, quality systems, and quality personnel.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Continuous Improvement and Lean initiatives.
• Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Experience leading investigations, CAPA programs, and non-conformance management.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple departments.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and quality reporting systems.
• Experience working with ERP systems and quality databases is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled reporting or digital workflow tools is considered an asset.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while managing multiple priorities.

Key Competencies

• Leadership & Team Development
• Quality Systems Management
• Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
• Laboratory Operations
• Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing
• Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis
• Project Management
• Coaching & Mentoring
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Accountability & Decision Making

Working Environment

• Fully onsite position.
• Production and laboratory environment with exposure to food ingredients, allergens, temperature variations, dust, and manufacturing equipment.
• Must be comfortable consuming bakery and flavour ingredients during product evaluations.
• Ability to stand, walk, and lift up to 25 kg as required.

Why Join?

• Opportunity to lead an established Quality Control function within a respected food manufacturing organization.
• Highly collaborative environment with strong cross-functional partnerships.
• Meaningful leadership role with responsibility for quality systems, laboratory operations, and team development.
• Opportunity to drive continuous improvement initiatives and strengthen quality performance across the organization.
• Competitive compensation within a collaborative, fast-paced manufacturing environment.