Qms & Compliance Lead

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.