Quality Assurance Technician (7 month contract)

Please note: This is a hybrid position and will require on-site work out of our lab based in Surrey.

Overview:
At Saje Natural Wellness, we're nature's original farmacy, blending the superpower of plants so you can remedy real life, naturally. And like nature, we're continually growing! As we continue to build our team, we're seeking talented people to join us: in our stores, support offices, and distribution centres. We are a purpose-driven, people-first organization where collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurial mindsets thrive.

We look for individuals who have drive and warmth, agility and passion, and keep customer experience at the centre of everything they do.

At Saje, you’ll connect with a dynamic community and make a positive impact. Join our team and grow your career, alongside the most talented, hard working, and kind-hearted people out there.

The impact you'll make:

Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, the Quality Assurance Technician plays a key role in supporting and enhancing our Quality Assurance programs. This includes focusing on new product development testing of formulations, packaging and hard goods. The role involves investigating non-conformances, contributing to the development of product specifications, and performing essential QA administrative tasks. With strong communication and analytical skills, the Quality Assurance Technician helps ensure that all products meet our high standards of safety and quality, supporting Saje in our dedication ot delivering excellence. This is a fixed term contract covering a Maternity Leave.

All Saje Team Members are responsible for contributing to Saje’s culture and maintaining a positive environment for themselves and their peers.

What you'll do:

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented individual to assist in quality assurance processes for both new product launches and existing SKUs. The ideal candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that all products meet the necessary specifications, regulatory requirements, and quality standards.

Inspections, Testing, & Compliance

• Conduct AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) inspections for all new product launches and pilot runs. Review and document inspection findings, then report to the Quality Manager for further review and action.
• Perform comprehensive testing on formulations and packaging, including packaging compatibility, output monitoring, ship & leak tests, artwork review, fill level confirmation, product effectiveness, material compatibility, and sensory evaluations. Includes reporting observations and conducting root cause analysis as needed.
• Complete new product development testing on new diffusers to ensure they meet all specifications, including aesthetics, performance and compliance requirements.
• Perform hard goods validation testing for new diffusers to ensure all specifications are met.
• Audit artwork processes.
• Inspect and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Support quality control investigations of non-conforming products, including gathering returns data, inspecting returns to identify causes, recording data, making correcting action recommendations, communicating with vendors, retesting corrected units and reporting observations.
• Provide preliminary techinical assistance to production and warehouse team members on any quality related queries.

Documentation, Reporting & Sampling

• Maintain the QA product development testing database and ensure all testing is documented.
• Review and maintain retention samples for new product launches and pilot runs, and coordinate product releases and approvals with the Quality Control team members and manufacturers.
• Maintain product compliance databsed including diffusers, kits, packaging and formulations.

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Bachelor’s Degree or diploma in chemistry, industrial processes/design, materials science, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in quality assurance or laboratory technician role, preferably in the health, cosmetics, or consumer goods industry.
• Proficiency in conducting various types of product testing (i.e., formulation, packaging, hard goods).
• Familiarity with quality standards and inspections with an understanding of regulatory requirements and compliance standards in the industry.
• Proficient in maintaining and auditing product compliance database.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to perform root cause analysis and support non-conformance investigations with the ability to interpret test results and provide detailed reports and recommendations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and SharePoint.
• Familiarity using project management software including Asana.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to problem solve and seek out solutions
• Self-driven, results-oriented and process-driven with a strong commitment to quality and continuas improvement.
• Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple projects, documentations processes, and databases efficiently.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy in testing, documentation and reporting.