Cannabis Laboratory Quality Manager

Cannabis Laboratory Quality Manager

Our laboratory is looking to hire a cannabis laboratory quality manager who will have the autonomy to develop, modify, and track a comprehensive quality management system (QMS) with minimal oversight.  The Cannabis Laboratory Quality Manager is a critical position that will oversee the laboratory quality program and promote a culture of quality and change management. The cannabis laboratory performs mandatory product testing to help assess compliance with state regulations by providing comprehensive cannabis testing for potency, homogeneity, heavy metals, microbial contamination, mycotoxins, residual solvents, terpenes, and pesticides for the legal cannabis and hemp industries.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Define, implement, and improve a Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure ISO 17025 quality standards are met.

• Create, review, and approve policies, standard operating procedures, work instructions to meet the requirements of the ISO 17025 standard and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).

• Track new document creation, administrate controlled copies, archive inactive documents, maintain an active document history file, and ensure appropriate user training and access.

• Continuously monitor SOP implementation and operational adherence to written procedures.

• Ensure that all analysis and methodology processes are accurate and carried out in full compliance with Quality Management System.

• Ensure that deviations to quality management system documentation are approved and understood by all personnel.

• Assure proper equipment/instrument qualification and validation activities are performed.

• Coordinate and monitor preventative maintenance and calibrations for site instrumentation.

• Assist site leadership with training and qualification procedures for team members.

• Establish and publish monthly metrics focused on facility's current QA/QC progress.

• Develop audit schedule and conduct internal, vendor, client, and/or regulatory audits against ISO 17025 standards.

• Ensure proper documentation and timely resolution of internal audit findings.

• Represent the Quality function during inspections by regulatory authorities and customers.

• Lead audit preparation, conduct audit and compliance activities and obtain and maintain the facility and regulatory certifications.

• Assure review and approval of batch record documentation, including validation protocols, master batch records, and analytical test results.

• Perform root cause analysis and other problem-solving activities to identify effective corrective actions and process improvements.

• Provide direction for and reviewing and approving deviations, corrective and preventive actions, and risk assessments.

• Review resolution and effectiveness of corrective actions and audit responses.

• Enforce and monitor the vendor approval process for incoming products and consumables, perform risk evaluations, and as needed conduct supplier audits.

• Direct the handling of complaints; monitor and report on the status of all complaints.

• Develop and coordinate the annual management review schedule and meeting agendas.

• Review and report data from proficiency testing to the appropriate bodies of accreditation.

• Maintain traceability on inventory of materials, chemicals, reagents, equipment, and other necessary items.

• Assist in any work requested by Laboratory Director or CEO including but not limited to sampling, accessioning, and training of other personnel.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in chemistry, biology, or related laboratory science, or

• Minimum 3 years prior experience in an ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratory, OR, minimum 2 year experience of quality control/assurance experience, preferably in an ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratory, OR, minimum 1 year experience as a quality control/assurance experience in a cannabis testing laboratory.

• Must pass all required background checks.

• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the cannabis industry.

• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.

• Must be approved by state agency to work in cannabis industry.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Previous cannabis laboratory experience is HIGHLY desirable.

• Advanced MS Office and Excel skills required and QMS experience.

• Demonstrated editorial and proofreading skills.

• Excellent English communication skills and ability to interact professionally at all levels of the organization, with vendors and outside stakeholders.

• General understanding of analytical chemistry, including the ability to troubleshoot analytical methodologies and instrumentation.

• Experience in the development of a comprehensive QMS in a rapidly growing dynamic business environment.

• Experience with method development and validation in an ISO 17025 environment

• Experience reviewing data produced by GC, HPLC, MS and ICP-MS acquisition systems.

• Working understanding of laboratory data interpretation and evaluation of data usability

• Knowledge of basic statistics used in data analysis

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative in scheduling and meeting deadlines.

• Accuracy, high degree of precision and attention to detail and good judgement.

• Impeccable character, shows initiative, results oriented, creative thinker, detail oriented, focused on continuous development, effective time-management skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Duties are performed onsite (NOT REMOTE) in a smoke-free office and laboratory 

environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, balance, and reach.

• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $70,000 - $90,000

• Medical and Dental Insurance

• Matching 401(k) 

• Paid Time Off

COMMENTS

The laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in our company.  Neither E4 Bioscience nor the laboratory discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and responsibilities. 

Depending on the volume of interests and submissions, we will only be contacting applicants who meet all minimum requirements listed in the job description. Only those applicants who align most closely with our minimum and preferred qualifications will be contacted for an interview.