Project Associate Jobs in Kitchener Waterloo, ON

Certified Group is committed to partnering with customers to deliver innovative scientific solutions and expertise – So The World Can Trust In What It Consumes™. Our network of 30+ North American and European laboratories serves the food & beverage, dietary supplements, cosmetics, OTC, tobacco/nicotine, cannabis, and hemp industries.

Our Brands

Certified Group is comprised of a set of specialized brands that collectively deliver laboratory testing, regulatory consulting, and certification & audit services across highly regulated industries:

• Certified Laboratories – Provides comprehensive analytical and microbiological testing, primarily supporting food, beverage, cosmetics, OTC, and dietary supplement industries.
• Food Safety Net Services (FSNS) – A leading network of ISO-accredited laboratories across North America, focused on food safety testing, operational support, and technical services for the food industry.
• Labstat – A global leader in contract research and testing for nicotine, tobacco, cannabis, hemp, and next-generation products, with deep expertise in analytical chemistry and toxicology.
• EAS Consulting Group – A regulatory consulting firm offering expert guidance, training, and auditing support across FDA, USDA, and other regulated sectors, powered by a large network of independent advisors.
• FSNS Certification & Audit – Provides accredited third-party auditing and certification services, including food safety, animal welfare, and GMP programs.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director, PMO, the Project Manager (PMO) serves as the primary point of contact for active clients, overseeing end-to-end project lifecycle management. This role is responsible for building and maintaining strong client relationships while acting as a centralized resource for technical expertise related to the testing portfolio and reporting requirements.

The PMO Project Manager plays a key cross-functional role, collaborating with Business Development, R&D, Client Services, and Operations to support and grow the nicotine, cannabis, and natural health products (NHP) business. The role also includes responsibility for high-level short- and mid-term toxicology project forecasting and execution of PMO processes.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Participate as a member of the PMO team responsible for lifecycle management of all nicotine, cannabis, and NHP commercial projects across the Kitchener and Edmonton facilities.
• Manage all client-facing project workflows, including preparation and oversight of protocols, reports, and summaries.
• Maintain and update high-level short- and mid-term toxicology project forecasts.
• Monitor project progress, proactively identify potential delays or issues, and communicate effectively with clients to ensure transparency and timely resolution.
• Report PMO performance metrics to management.
• Participate in internal and client audits as required.
• Identify and support opportunities for new services and revenue generation.
• Support Client Services in preparing quotes and responding to new or existing client requests.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring a clear understanding of client needs and expectations.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and empowered decision-making.
• Support resolution of customer complaints in a timely and professional manner.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Health & Safety policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Toxicology, or a related scientific discipline.

Experience:

• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in operations within a Contract Research Organization (CRO) or testing environment.
• Experience with cannabis, natural health products (NHP), and/or tobacco/nicotine testing methods is required.
• 3+ years of experience leading projects or project teams.
• Strong project management capabilities with knowledge of methodologies and best practices.
• Proven track record of leading continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of applicable regulatory frameworks, including GLP, GMP, and ISO 17025.

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We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and make employment decisions without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.