Senior Manager, Quality Assurance
City : Toronto
Category : Compliance
Industry : Retail
Employer : Loblaw Companies Limited
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.
Senior Manager, Quality Assurance
The Senior Manager, Quality Assurance (QA) is responsible for leading and managing a 24 hour/7 day a week team through the day-to-day Quality Assurance operations at the Distribution Centre (DC) level, while also providing regional and national support as required. This role plays a critical leadership function across the Fresh portfolio, including Fruits, Vegetables, Meat, and Seafood, and works closely with Sourcing, Supply Chain, Distribution, Operations and Control Brand teams to ensure the highest standards of food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance.
This position operates with a broad and dynamic scope, requiring collaboration across multiple locations and functions. The Senior Manager, QA is expected to step in to provide leadership coverage and operational support across regions when business needs arise, including periods of increased demand, risk mitigation, or leadership gaps. Minimal travel may be required to support teams, programs, audits, and initiatives across the network.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & People Management:
Provide strong leadership to the Quality Assurance team, including workforce planning, scheduling, performance management, employee relations, succession planning, and ongoing training and development.
Build a high performing, engaged QA team through coaching, mentoring, and continuous improvement practices.
Act as a trusted leader during times of operational change, escalation, or regional support requirements.
Ability to flex and support colleagues across multiple shifts
Quality Assurance & Food Safety:
Ensure consistent execution of fresh quality programs using risk-based sampling, testing, and verification processes aligned to defined KPIs and quality specifications (e.g., grade, defects, sizing, weight, brix, colour).
Ensure all fresh products meet or exceed company quality standards and applicable food safety and regulatory requirements.
Lead horizon scanning activities to proactively identify and mitigate emerging quality and food safety risks in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Program Development & Continuous Improvement:
Support national quality initiatives, including the development, enhancement, and implementation of new programs designed to reduce quality risk and improve operational efficiency.
Develop, maintain, and enhance product and process standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Apply analytical, process improvement, and risk-based methodologies to strengthen quality outcomes.
Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Partner closely with internal teams, Sourcing, QFR, Supply Chain, Distribution, Operations, Loblaw Brands, and Retail Operations to align on quality expectations and issue resolution.
Communicate quality-related concerns, trends, and risks clearly and effectively across internal and external stakeholders.
Liaise with suppliers and external partners to support quality assurance and compliance objectives.
Audits, Compliance & Regulatory Relations:
Manage and oversee internal fresh quality audits and retail validation programs to ensure product specifications are met end-to-end.
Maintain a professional and effective working relationship with CFIA, serving as a key contact for inspections, detentions, corrective actions, and recovery programs.
Ensure ongoing compliance with CFIA regulations and applicable food safety standards.
Participate and support internal audits that focus on strengthening our quality programs, ensuring food safety, and improving overall quality.
Operational Oversight:
Oversee specific Fresh processes such as fruit ripening (gassing and inventory balance management) and bagging, while maintaining quality standards.
Ensure appropriate testing equipment, supplies, and methodologies are in place, operational and effectively utilized.
Manage within approved operating budgets and support financial discipline.
Requires the ability to stand for long periods of time and lift up to 50 lbs on a repetitive basis.
Regional & National Support:
Lead and support regional and national projects as assigned, delivering outcomes within defined timelines and professional standards.
Provide leadership coverage across locations as needed to support operational continuity, risk management, and team effectiveness.
Qualifications & Experience:
Post-secondary education in Agriculture, Food Science, Biological Sciences, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered.
4–6 years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance and/or Operations management, preferably within the Fresh food industry (Produce, Meat, Seafood) across Sourcing, Distribution, or Retail environments.
Proven people leadership experience with the ability to motivate, develop, and lead teams through complexity and change.
Strong working knowledge of CFIA (and USDA where applicable) standards related to fresh food products.
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.
Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills.
Strong analytical mindset with demonstrated experience in process improvement.
Knowledge of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
Knowledge of Six Sigma and statistical methodologies is considered a strong asset.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with SAP is an asset.
Key Performance Indicators:
Successful execution of National Quality Assurance objectives.
Effective risk-based case and lot verification, stale date management, and quality rejections.
Continuous improvement in Fresh quality performance, brand image, and customer satisfaction.
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.
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