Avant is an innovative, market-leading premium cannabis company. Avant has multiple operational production facilities across Canada, which produce high-quality, handcrafted cannabis products, based on unique and exceptional cultivars. Avant is a publicly traded corporation listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: AVNT), and cross-trades on the OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX: AVTBF) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA: 1BU0). The Company is headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia and has operations in British Columbia, and Ontario.
The Flowr Group (Okanagan) Inc. is an 80,000 sq.ft. cannabis cultivation facility based in Kelowna/Lake Country, British Columbia. The Flowr Group (Okanagan) Inc. is a subsidiary of Avant Brands K1, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Avant Brands (and GreenTec Holdings Ltd.).
The Flowr Group (Okanagan) Inc. is hiring for a GMP Specialist to join the Quality Department.
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced GMP professional with a strong background in pharmaceutical, cannabis, biotechnology, natural health products, or regulated manufacturing environments. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting EU GMP readiness, regulatory compliance, quality systems development, validation activities, external and internal audits, supplier qualification, and inspection preparedness.
This is a hands-on role requiring a strong understanding of GMP regulations and the ability to work collaboratively across Quality, Production, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Sales/Marketing departments.
Key Responsibilities
Validation & Qualification
- Lead the development, execution, review, and approval of validation and qualification activities.
- Author and review:
- Validation Master Plans
- Process Validation Protocols and Reports
- Equipment Qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Facility Qualification
- Cleaning Validation
- Computerized System Validation
- Environmental Monitoring Qualification
- Temperature Mapping Studies
- Utilities Qualification
- Perform risk assessments to support validation activities.
- Ensure validation programs remain compliant with EU GMP, PIC/S, and Health Canada requirements.
- Support lifecycle management of validated systems.
Quality Management Systems
- Develop, review, and maintain GMP-compliant quality system procedures and records.
- Support implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of GACP, GPP, and EU GMP quality systems.
- Support change management initiatives through the development, review, revision, and implementation of SOPs, forms, protocols, reports, specifications, and other controlled documents.
- Perform quality and regulatory impact assessments associated with proposed changes and support implementation activities.
- Support quality risk management activities and investigations.
Deviations, Investigations, and CAPA
- Lead and support deviations and investigations.
- Conduct root cause analysis using appropriate methodologies.
- Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
- Verify CAPA effectiveness and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Assess product impact and recommend disposition actions when required.
Supplier Quality Management
- Conduct supplier qualification, risk assessments, and ongoing supplier performance evaluations.
- Evaluate suppliers against applicable GACP, GPP, GMP, regulatory, and company requirements.
- Review supplier questionnaires, quality documentation, certifications, and supporting records.
- Plan, conduct, and document external supplier audits, including on-site and remote assessments as required.
- Support the development, review, and maintenance of quality agreements.
- Lead supplier remediation activities, including management of audit observations, corrective actions, and effectiveness verification.
- Maintain Approved Supplier Lists and supplier monitoring programs.
Regulatory Compliance and Inspection Readiness
- Maintain knowledge of:
- EU GMP (EudraLex Volume 4)
- PIC/S GMP Guide
- Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP)
- Cannabis Regulations
- ICH Quality Guidelines (ICH Q9 and Q10)
- Participate in internal audits and mock inspections.
- Support Health Canada, EU GMP, customer, and third-party audits.
- Assist with regulatory responses and inspection observations.
Product Quality and Quality Oversight
- Support Product Quality Reviews (PQRs).
- Review quality metrics and trend analyses.
- Participate in quality review meetings.
- Support batch record review and quality documentation assessments.
Qualifications
Required Education
- Bachelor's Degree in:
- Pharmacy
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Related Scientific Discipline
Required Experience
- Minimum 7–10 years of GMP experience in a regulated industry.
- Minimum 3 years of direct experience with pharmaceutical or EU GMP systems.
- Minimum 3 years of validation and qualification experience, including authoring and executing IQ/OQ/PQ protocols.
- Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and maintaining GMP quality systems.
- Experience leading deviations, investigations, CAPAs, change controls, and quality risk assessments.
- Experience preparing for and supporting regulatory inspections, certification audits, and customer audits.
- Strong technical writing experience, including SOPs, validation protocols, validation reports, risk assessments, and quality investigations.
Strongly Preferred
- Experience obtaining, maintaining, or supporting EU GMP certification.
- Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Experience in cannabis manufacturing or cultivation.
- Experience with sterile or non-sterile pharmaceutical operations.
- Experience leading internal, supplier, customer, and regulatory audits.
- Experience performing supplier qualification and supplier audits.
- Experience with Quality Risk Management (ICH Q9) and Pharmaceutical Quality Systems (ICH Q10).
- Lead Auditor certification (ISO 9001, GMP, or equivalent).
Knowledge and Skills
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Expert knowledge of EU GMP requirements, including EudraLex Volume 4 and PIC/S GMP guidance.
- Strong knowledge of GACP principles and their application within cannabis cultivation and post-harvest operations.
- Thorough understanding of validation lifecycle principles and qualification programs.
- Strong understanding of Quality Risk Management principles.
- Exceptional technical writing and documentation skills.
- Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
- Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple departments.
- Ability to independently manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced regulated environment.
- Strong communication and audit-hosting skills.
Compensation
The Flowr Group offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications, including:
- Competitive salary
- Extended health and dental benefits
- Paid vacation
- Opportunity to play a key role in an expanding EU GMP export program
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
- Relevant certifications and qualifications
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00-$100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
Flexible language requirement:
Application question(s):
- How many years of experience do you have working within GMP-regulated environments?
- Please describe your experience with EU GMP, pharmaceutical GMP, or PIC/S GMP systems.
- What validation and qualification activities have you led or supported (e.g., IQ/OQ/PQ, process validation, cleaning validation, CSV, facility qualification)?
- Have you conducted supplier audits? If yes, please describe the types of suppliers audited and your role in the audit process.
- Are you located in the Okanagan region or willing to relocate to Lake Country, BC?
Work Location: In person
