QMS & Compliance Lead

Job summary

The QMS & Compliance Lead is responsible for developing, maintaining, and continuously improving the Quality Management System while ensuring regulatory compliance and audit readiness. This role also oversees product release activities, manages supplier quality, and leads investigations into non-conformances and corrective actions.

Job details

Company Overview At Mara Renewables Corporation (Mara), we exist to re-engineer nature’s pantry, reimagine human nutrition, and revitalize wellness and the environment. We believe there has never been a more critical need to evolve health ingredients for human nutrition and related industries using the power of science and nature to build a more sustainable and healthier world. Mara’s remarkable journey has transformed us from a research & development startup into a global leader within the algal omega-3 oil industry, encompassing pivotal sectors such as food, beverage, and infant nutrition. Our commitment to commercializing our unique patent-protected technologies, coupled with the expertise of our diverse and exceptionally talented team, has been the driving force behind our success. Position Summary The QMS & Compliance Lead is responsible for the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Mara's Quality Management System (QMS). As the organization's primary resource for quality systems governance, regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and quality culture initiatives, this role helps ensure quality is embedded in everything we do. Working collaboratively with teams across the business, as well as suppliers, co-manufacturers, customers, and regulatory bodies, the QMS & Compliance Lead leads key quality system processes, including document control, change management, deviation and non-conformance management, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), training compliance, risk assessments, supplier quality oversight, and management review activities. By building strong partnerships and supporting continuous improvement, this role helps ensure Mara's quality systems remain effective, compliant, and aligned with business objectives. The QMS & Compliance Lead also serves as the quality approver for product release activities, ensuring products are manufactured, tested, documented, and released in accordance with established specifications, customer requirements, and regulatory standards. In addition, the role maintains robust traceability systems and supports recall readiness through effective inventory tracking, mock recalls, and product disposition processes. The successful candidate brings strong expertise in quality management systems, regulatory compliance, auditing, and continuous improvement within regulated manufacturing environments. As a trusted subject matter expert, the QMS & Compliance Lead works closely with colleagues across the organization to strengthen quality systems, support operational excellence, and foster a culture where quality, compliance, and continuous improvement are shared responsibilities. This is a Hybrid role (3 days in office, 2 days remote), located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Key Responsibilities The responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following: Quality Management System (QMS) Leadership Lead the ongoing development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Mara's Quality Management System (QMS), including external provider management, change management, CAPA, non-conformance management, document control, and training processes. Monitor the effectiveness of the QMS through quality metrics, management reviews, and trend analysis, identifying opportunities to strengthen quality systems and processes. Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), specifications, policies, forms, and quality records to ensure they remain accurate, current, and compliant. Compliance & Audit Management Help ensure Mara continues to meet applicable regulatory, certification, customer, and internal quality requirements. Lead internal audits and coordinate customer, supplier, certification, and regulatory inspections, working closely with stakeholders to support successful outcomes. Manage audit findings and corrective actions, ensuring timely implementation and sustainable resolution. Oversee compliance with product certification requirements. Product Release & Traceability Serve as the quality approver for product release, ensuring products meet established quality, customer, and regulatory requirements. Oversee product hold, quarantine, disposition, and release activities in accordance with established procedures. Maintain robust traceability and recall readiness programs, including mock recalls and traceability verification exercises. CAPA, Risk Management & Continuous Improvement Lead investigations related to deviations, customer complaints, non-conformances, and audit observations. Facilitate root cause analysis and ensure corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) are effectively implemented and verified. Identify quality and compliance risks while leading continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen systems, processes, and operational performance. Documentation & Training Oversee document control activities, ensuring quality documentation remains accurate, current, and compliant. Manage quality training programs, monitoring training completion and effectiveness across the organization. Promote a culture of quality by providing coaching, guidance, and training that supports compliance and continuous improvement. Supplier Quality Management Manage supplier qualification, monitoring, and audit programs to ensure suppliers consistently meet Mara's quality requirements. Evaluate supplier performance and partner with suppliers to resolve quality issues and implement effective corrective actions. Required Qualifications Post-secondary degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Applied Food Science, Microbiology, or a related scientific or technical discipline. Minimum of six (6) years of experience in a quality-focused role within food production, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, natural health products, or another regulated manufacturing environment. Minimum of three (3) years of experience supporting GFSI-benchmarked standards (e.g., SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000) or equivalent quality and food safety certification programs. Strong understanding of applicable food safety, regulatory, customer, and certification requirements, including Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO, and Vegan standards. Demonstrated experience managing and continuously improving Quality Management Systems (QMS), including document control, CAPA, change management, training, non-conformance management, and risk management processes. Experience planning and leading internal, supplier, customer, and third-party certification audits. Proven experience leading compliance initiatives, audit readiness, corrective action programs, and continuous improvement projects. Experience supporting product release, product disposition, traceability, and recall preparedness. Experience collaborating with suppliers, co-manufacturers, and cross-functional teams to ensure quality and regulatory compliance. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively engage customers, suppliers, auditors, regulators, senior leaders, and cross-functional teams. Strong organizational, project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated ability to influence, collaborate, and foster a culture of quality, compliance, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization. Preferred Skills & Experience Professional quality certifications such as HACCP, Internal Auditor, or Lead Auditor. Experience working with electronic Quality Management Systems (eQMS) and ERP-based traceability systems. What We Offer Mara is proud to offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including but not limited to: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plan Employee & Family Assistance Program RRSP matching program Health care spending account Physical Wellness Reimbursement Plan At Mara we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including persons who identify as racially visible, Indigenous, persons with disabilities, women in underrepresented roles and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Mara supports candidates and employees with access and accommodation needs.

What you’ll do

The QMS & Compliance Lead is responsible for developing, maintaining, and continuously improving the Quality Management System while ensuring regulatory compliance and audit readiness. This role also oversees product release activities, manages supplier quality, and leads investigations into non-conformances and corrective actions.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a post-secondary degree in a scientific or technical discipline and possess at least six years of experience in a quality-focused role within a regulated manufacturing environment. Additionally, a minimum of three years of experience with GFSI-benchmarked standards and strong expertise in QMS processes are required.

Listed skills

• Food safety · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Quality Management Systems
• Regulatory Compliance
• Audit Management
• CAPA
• Risk Management
• Document Control
• Food Safety
• Continuous Improvement
• Root Cause Analysis
• Supplier Quality Management
• Product Release
• Traceability
• HACCP
• Internal Auditing
• Project Management
• Regulatory Standards
• Influencing Skills
• Supplier Quality Engineering
• Quality Culture
• Operational Performance Management
• Food Science
• Food Safety Certification
• Business Objectives
• Compliance Risk
• Medical Devices
• Planning
• Kosher
• Research
• Auditing
• Human Nutrition
• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Management
• Corrective And Preventive Action (CAPA)
• Change Management
• Communication
• Continuous Improvement Process
• Food Safety And Sanitation
• Oil and Gas
• Standard Operating Procedure
• Governance
• Leadership
• Hazard Analysis And Critical Control Points (HACCP)
• Problem Solving
• Microbiology
• Operational Excellence
• Patents
• Pharmaceuticals
• Product Certification
• Regulatory Requirements

Job areas

• Manufacturing
• Food & Beverage
• Science & Research
• Management & Leadership
• Compliance Lead
• Director of Quality Assurance
• Management and Organization Analysts
• Quality Control Systems Managers
• Industrial Production Managers