Quality Assurance Associate

About the role

Canadian Blood Services is looking for a Regular Full-time Quality Assurance Associate to join our dynamic Quality Assurance team, contributing to a broader, flexible role that spans national contexts. This role is national in scope but works out of our location in Edmonton, Alberta.

The Quality Assurance team is accountable for the systematic efforts taken to assure that all Canadian Blood Services’ products and services delivered to the customer meets expectations of the customer.
 

In this role, you will be providing the organizational assurance that we meet safety, quality identity, purity, potency and accessibility requirements of our products and services. In this role, you will utilize your knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which includes Blood Regulations as defined by Health Canada, CSA Blood and Blood Component Standards as well as relevant Cell, Tissues and Organs (CTO) regulations and standards and the theory and application of quality systems elements to the products and services provided by Canadian Blood Services.  

Formula for success

• Leveraging your skills in quality management, you will ensure the organization's products and services consistently meet requirements by maintaining control in manufacturing and clinical service processes, adhering to regulations and standards, and applying Quality System processes such as document management, validation, change control, corrective action preventative action, auditing, training, and quality control.
• Utilizing your expertise in education, you will educate staff to enhance their understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices within Canadian Blood Services Quality Management System. This will clarify the necessity and application of these principles in the organization's activities.
• Capitalizing on analytical skills, you will assist the organization in monitoring and continuously improving product and service quality. This involves collecting and analyzing data, facilitating root cause analysis, investigations, and overseeing the implementation of improvements.
• Applying health and safety proficiency, you will perform work in alignment with the provisions of Canadian Blood Services' Corporate Health and Safety Policies and Procedures. Your knowledge will be crucial in ensuring a safe working environment.
• Demonstrating flexibility and teamwork, you will utilize your ability to support the after-hours on-call team on a rotational basis.
• Maintaining connectivity and responsiveness, you will capitalize on your requirement to carry a cellular phone to support the after-hours on-call team.
• Adapting to diverse responsibilities, you will perform other duties as required. This showcases your adaptability and versatility to contribute effectively across various tasks and responsibilities within the organization.
• This position is national in scope and supports teams and sites across the organization with a Collections focus.
• Demonstrating strong teamwork skills by working remotely with a national team across Canada. 

Desired education and skills

• Post-secondary level education in a relevant discipline from a recognized academic institution, or equivalent experience is required. 
• Certification in Quality Management Systems and/or certified Quality Engineer designation is required. Will consider an applicant currently working on certification, or an agreement to obtain certification. 
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience within a manufacturing or pharmaceutical environment following Good Manufacturing Practices, with at least 5 years of Quality Management and Continuous Improvement experience. 
• Thorough comprehension of applicable standards and regulations and a comprehensive knowledge of the theory behind and application of quality systems processes as they pertain to the products and services provided by Canadian Blood Services (such as: Health Canada's Blood and Blood component regulations, Canadian Standards Association's Blood and Blood component standards, Canadian Standards Association's Cells, Tissue, and Organ standards, AABB's Cellular Therapy standards, AABB's Blood Bank and Transfusion Services standards).
• Comprehensive knowledge of Quality Management System elements is required.
• Comprehensive analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills are required.
• Effective interpersonal skills along with proven ability to exercise sound judgment, tact and discretion, coach and facilitate discussions that promote the Quality Management System.
• Demonstrated ability to think systemically and anticipate impact on people, systems and processes.

What we offer you

• 4 weeks' vacation.
• Annual performance award up to 6%. 
• Comprehensive group health, dental and vision benefits for you and your family.
• Defined benefit pension plan. 
• Employee discounts, wellness program, professional resources. 

What you can expect

• This role will work in an on-site environment with requirements to be on-site at one Canadian Blood Services production site within Canada for 60% - 80% of the time (3 - 4 days of the week).
• You will work Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week, 7.5 hours a day, additional hours may be required depending on project requirements. 
• You will be expected to travel outside our Edmonton office location for in-person work-related visits to sites when required.