About the role
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.
Job Summary
The incumbent will manage the QA team in ensuring that products meet the highest quality standards. The job owner will work closely with internal and external cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvements and ensure that products are delivered on time and within specifications.
The ideal candidate has extensive experience in quality assurance management, a strong understanding of industry standards, and leadership skills to guide a team in achieving excellence.
Objectives of this role
**1. Ensure Product Safety and Compliance:**Guarantee that all beverages meet regulatory standards (e.g., CFIA, FDA, HACCP, BRC, CBWA, ISO 22000) for food safety, hygiene, and labeling to protect consumers and avoid legal issues.
**2. Maintain Consistent Product Quality:**Establish and monitor quality systems to ensure every product batch consistently meets specifications.
**3. Implement and Improve QA Systems:**Design, document, and continually improve quality assurance policies and SOPs, including traceability, audits, testing protocols, and corrective action procedures.
**4. Lead Quality Training and Culture:**Train quality, production and operations teams on quality standards and best practices, fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement throughout the company.
General tasks
- Develop and enforce quality standards and procedures
- Monitor, analyze, and report key quality metrics to track product performance and identify areas for improvement periodically.
- Work closely with production, product development, maintenance, and warehouse teams to ensure that quality standards are integrated into the product lifecycle.
- Overseeing the planning and execution of internal and third-party audits, inspections, and tests to evaluate product quality and quality systems.
- Liaise with internal and external customers (Co-pack) to drive product and process improvements and increase efficiency
- Conduct root cause analysis of non-conformances and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Provide leadership, training, and development opportunities to QA and Operations staff to enhance team skills and performance and build a result-driven environment.
- Oversee and coordinate the daily operations of the QA department, ensuring all activities align with business goals and customer requirements.
- Monitor testing progress, defect trends, and product performance, providing status updates to senior management.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, industry best practices, and company policies regarding quality assurance processes.
- Conduct periodic team performance reviews, offer constructive feedback, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead and coordinate Food Safety initiatives through the plant HACCP and Food Safety teams.
- Other duties as may be required.
Required skills and qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 6 years quality assurance (QA) experience in the food industry. At least the last 2 of those years must be in a QA Manager, QA Lead, or similar role.
- Proven experience managing QA teams, including training, performance management, and team development.
- In-depth knowledge of quality assurance methodologies, tools, and frameworks.
- A background in aseptic (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) beverage packaging.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements such as CRA, FDA, CFIA
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information to various stakeholders.
Added Advantage
- Relevant certification in Quality Management.
- Experience in using statistical analysis and quality control tools.
- Co-packing experience
Role Backup
- Primary: Quality Coordinator
- Secondary: Director, Quality Assurance
About Flow Hydration
We are North America's first social water brand, dedicated to the pursuit of positive experience and providing the highest quality water in the world, with a reduced environmental footprint. Founded by serial entrepreneur, Nicholas Reichenbach, Flow offers consumers the healthful benefits of drinking naturally alkaline spring water from a local and sustainable source.
"We imagined a bottled water brand that was naturally healthful. Not filtered or altered tap water owned by a major corporation. We looked for an alternative to the plastic bottle, a package with the lowest possible carbon footprint. We stopped looking and we started creating." -Founder & CEO Nicholas Reichenbach
Our water has been nurtured for thousands of years in a limestone aquifer located on a family-owned property in Mildmay, Ontario, Canada. Flow's water naturally collects essential minerals, electrolytes, and an alkaline pH.
We have partnered with Tetra-Pak to create the industry's lowest-carbon footprint packaging that is also PET and BPA free. Our goal, together with Tetra-Pak, is to make a pack that is completely renewable. More than two thirds of Flow's package is made of paperboard that comes from trees harvested in responsibly managed forests and/or controlled sources. None of the resources used in our cartons come from old growth trees or rainforests. It uses just enough material to keep the package stable. Our packets are 3-5% package and 95-7% content - thinner than an eggshell.
Flow Direct, our subscription service delivers water to your home or office for free VIA our eco-friendly electric SUV. Say hello to H2O 2.0!
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About the role
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.
Job Summary
The incumbent will manage the QA team in ensuring that products meet the highest quality standards. The job owner will work closely with internal and external cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvements and ensure that products are delivered on time and within specifications.
The ideal candidate has extensive experience in quality assurance management, a strong understanding of industry standards, and leadership skills to guide a team in achieving excellence.
Objectives of this role
**1. Ensure Product Safety and Compliance:**Guarantee that all beverages meet regulatory standards (e.g., CFIA, FDA, HACCP, BRC, CBWA, ISO 22000) for food safety, hygiene, and labeling to protect consumers and avoid legal issues.
**2. Maintain Consistent Product Quality:**Establish and monitor quality systems to ensure every product batch consistently meets specifications.
**3. Implement and Improve QA Systems:**Design, document, and continually improve quality assurance policies and SOPs, including traceability, audits, testing protocols, and corrective action procedures.
**4. Lead Quality Training and Culture:**Train quality, production and operations teams on quality standards and best practices, fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement throughout the company.
General tasks
- Develop and enforce quality standards and procedures
- Monitor, analyze, and report key quality metrics to track product performance and identify areas for improvement periodically.
- Work closely with production, product development, maintenance, and warehouse teams to ensure that quality standards are integrated into the product lifecycle.
- Overseeing the planning and execution of internal and third-party audits, inspections, and tests to evaluate product quality and quality systems.
- Liaise with internal and external customers (Co-pack) to drive product and process improvements and increase efficiency
- Conduct root cause analysis of non-conformances and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Provide leadership, training, and development opportunities to QA and Operations staff to enhance team skills and performance and build a result-driven environment.
- Oversee and coordinate the daily operations of the QA department, ensuring all activities align with business goals and customer requirements.
- Monitor testing progress, defect trends, and product performance, providing status updates to senior management.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, industry best practices, and company policies regarding quality assurance processes.
- Conduct periodic team performance reviews, offer constructive feedback, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead and coordinate Food Safety initiatives through the plant HACCP and Food Safety teams.
- Other duties as may be required.
Required skills and qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 6 years quality assurance (QA) experience in the food industry. At least the last 2 of those years must be in a QA Manager, QA Lead, or similar role.
- Proven experience managing QA teams, including training, performance management, and team development.
- In-depth knowledge of quality assurance methodologies, tools, and frameworks.
- A background in aseptic (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) beverage packaging.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements such as CRA, FDA, CFIA
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information to various stakeholders.
Added Advantage
- Relevant certification in Quality Management.
- Experience in using statistical analysis and quality control tools.
- Co-packing experience
Role Backup
- Primary: Quality Coordinator
- Secondary: Director, Quality Assurance
About Flow Hydration
We are North America's first social water brand, dedicated to the pursuit of positive experience and providing the highest quality water in the world, with a reduced environmental footprint. Founded by serial entrepreneur, Nicholas Reichenbach, Flow offers consumers the healthful benefits of drinking naturally alkaline spring water from a local and sustainable source.
"We imagined a bottled water brand that was naturally healthful. Not filtered or altered tap water owned by a major corporation. We looked for an alternative to the plastic bottle, a package with the lowest possible carbon footprint. We stopped looking and we started creating." -Founder & CEO Nicholas Reichenbach
Our water has been nurtured for thousands of years in a limestone aquifer located on a family-owned property in Mildmay, Ontario, Canada. Flow's water naturally collects essential minerals, electrolytes, and an alkaline pH.
We have partnered with Tetra-Pak to create the industry's lowest-carbon footprint packaging that is also PET and BPA free. Our goal, together with Tetra-Pak, is to make a pack that is completely renewable. More than two thirds of Flow's package is made of paperboard that comes from trees harvested in responsibly managed forests and/or controlled sources. None of the resources used in our cartons come from old growth trees or rainforests. It uses just enough material to keep the package stable. Our packets are 3-5% package and 95-7% content - thinner than an eggshell.
Flow Direct, our subscription service delivers water to your home or office for free VIA our eco-friendly electric SUV. Say hello to H2O 2.0!