Senior Specialist, Quality Assurance (Non-Food)

Referred applicants should not apply directly to this role.

All referred applicants must first be submitted through Workday by a current Loblaw Colleague.

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued – as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®.

At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

Job Profile: Sr. Specialist, Quality Assurance – Non-Food (LBL)

Reports to: Sr. Manager, Quality Assurance – Non-Food

Role Mandate:

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Quality Assurance, the Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible to ensure that Control Brand Products are in conformance with respective specification requirements and standards and to assist the Quality Assurance Department in the planning and organizing of quality activities. This role is accountable for managing relationships with Control Brand vendors with respect to product safety and quality assurance and is responsible for ensuring regulations are met. The QA Specialist will work collaboratively with the broader QA team, business partners and vendors to ensure brand protection and drive a consistent consumer experience.

Accountabilities:

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with vendors focused on product quality
• Proactively seek resolution to issues according to Management Information reports and resolve issues within appropriate timelines and ensure vendor accountability
• Maintain brand integrity by upholding the safety and quality brand standards
• Assist Senior Manager, Quality Assurance as required, with special projects relating to product development, quality assurance and other initiatives
• Perform and report on customer complaint investigations, and provide technical assistance as needed to all internal and external customers
• Perform product evaluations to ensure compliance to specification parameters, as needed
• Develop quality plans and coordinate any necessary testing activities by 3rd party testing laboratories for first run submissions, QA Audit report reviews, and Customer complaint investigations
• Provide QA leadership during investigations involving incident management
• Ensure test protocols are maintained and updated to ensure compliance and technical relevance
• Remain up-to-date on industry regulatory, safety and quality trends, issues and initiatives to define and refine corporate QA programs, processes and procedures as the need arises.
• Provide technical input during product launch/ development, product and specification reviews/ risk assessments and follow-up on action items as required
• Collaborate with suppliers/manufacturers, as needed, on quality related issues to ensure corrective and preventative actions
• Perform risk assessment evaluation for potential Control Brand products and vendors
• Conduct QA releases (Specification review, micro review, test review, COAs, artwork review, claim review, QA samples review versus the standards) and follow-up on non-conformance decisions/ resolutions
• Responsible for managing customer complaints, including identifying trends and driving resolution and year over year sustainable improvement
• Liaise with internal and external business partners to ensure all aspects of the needs are addressed

Role Requirements:

• Able to work effectively as an individual with minimal supervision and as a team member
• Cosmetic Science Certificate or Consumer Health Products of Canada (CHPC) Certification not required, but preferable
• Digital literacy to produce effective reports, documents, spreadsheets and presentations
• Minimum 3 years’ related work experience with Personal Care products, Colour Cosmetics, OTC and/or NHP
• Strong understanding of Canadian regulatory landscape and Health Canada regulations
• University education or equivalent in Science, Chemical Science, Engineering, Pharmacy or equivalent subject area
• Results oriented
• Minimum 4 years’ related work experience in retail or manufacturing environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Highly organized with a strong focus on detail and accuracy
• Communicates well in writing by composing clear documents; ability with editing and/or proof-reading is required
• Able to influence and interact effectively with all levels at retail/distribution, vendor and office locations
• Straightforward practical way of thinking and problem solving
• Solid understanding of Quality principles and Management Systems

At Loblaw, we respect the environment, source products with integrity and make a positive difference in the community. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers.

Loblaw recognizes Canada's diversity as a source of national pride and strength. We have made it a priority to reflect our nation’s evolving diversity in the products we sell, the people we hire, and the culture we create in our organization.

Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired.

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars – Environment, Sourcing and Community – and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.

We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Please Note:

Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.