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.

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.

The responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Oversee document control activities, ensuring quality documentation remains accurate, current, and compliant.
• Manage quality training programs, monitoring…