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Kanvas Biosciences

Head of Quality Assurance

Kanvas Biosciences, South San Francisco, California, us, 94083

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This range is provided by Kanvas Biosciences. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range $200,000.00/yr - $260,000.00/yr

Senior Recruiter - Specializes in Biopharma, Med Device, and Biotech About Us Kanvas Biosciences is a pioneering microbiome therapeutics company developing the world’s first spatial microbiome drug screening, discovery, and manufacturing platform. Our mission is to unlock the microbiome as a druggable organ system to revolutionize the treatment of microbiome-associated diseases. With cutting-edge imaging, microbial ecology, and biomanufacturing expertise, our team is leading the development of next‑generation live biotherapeutic products (LBPs).

Position Overview We are seeking a highly skilled Quality Assurance Leader who will be responsible for implementing and growing the quality function supporting our advanced Live Biotherapeutic Product clinical‑phase manufacturing facility. This leader will balance strategic vision with hands‑on execution, working closely with Manufacturing, Quality Control, Facilities, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure all operational activities, documentation, and decision‑making align with global regulatory expectations and internal quality standards. This role plays a critical part in safeguarding product integrity, contamination control, and patient safety.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

Design, implement, and continuously enhance a robust QMS aligned with phase‑appropriate cGMP standards, ISO 13485/17025 requirements, and relevant global regulatory frameworks.

Oversee document control, change management, and record‑retention programs to maintain data integrity and compliance.

Lead the review and approval of SOPs, master batch records, deviations/investigations, CAPAs, and other quality‑critical documentation.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

Ensure ongoing compliance with FDA and other applicable regulatory bodies for LBP manufacturing.

Manage the internal and supplier audit programs applying quality risk management tools.

Lead regulatory inspections including acting as host and serving as the point of communication to the company throughout the inspection.

Drive timely resolution of audit/inspection observations.

Collaborate with Regulatory Affairs on submissions, product quality documentation, and compliance strategy.

Batch Release & Product Quality

Review and approve batch records, QC test results, and COAs to support timely and compliant product release.

Perform release of clinical product for administration in clinical studies.

Work closely with QC to assess OOS results, deviations, and related investigations; determine appropriate product disposition.

Track product quality trends and proactively communicate emerging risks to executive leadership.

Establish, monitor, and report on KPIs that reflect quality performance across manufacturing and QC functions.

Proactively identify processes, tools, systems, etc. to ensure continued compliance and corporate efficiency throughout clinical development.

Lead, mentor, and develop QA team members while fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous learning.

Lead departments in the creation and continuous review of training programs to ensure the adequacy of the training program.

Manage the training and deliver GMP/GDP/GCP training and contamination prevention training.

Serve as a subject‑matter expert and partner to cross‑functional teams on quality and compliance matters.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioprocessing, or a related scientific field.

12+ years of progressive QA experience within fermentation, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology environments.

Ability to balance multiple priorities and complex issues using logical, analytical, and efficient processes with a high level of attention to detail and quality of work.

Deep knowledge of cGMP, GLP, ICH, ISO 13485/17025, and FDA regulatory expectations.

Strong understanding of ALCOA+ and data integrity principles.

Experience implementing or managing electronic QMS, LIMS, or ERP systems.

Demonstrated experience supporting audits, regulatory inspections, and compliance programs.

Strong leadership, excellent communication and organizational skills with the ability to operate strategically and roll up sleeves when necessary.

Ability to provide cross‑functional team leadership to maintain alignment and to set and meet collective operational goals.

Preferred Skills

Familiarity with microbial fermentation systems.

Knowledge of quality risk management and contamination control strategies in microbial manufacturing environments.

Certification in Six Sigma, Lean, or equivalent continuous improvement methodologies.

Our Values

We hire good people who are also great scientists.

Kanvas is fortunate enough to have world‑class scientists leading its R&D and scientific programs. But their unique talent is not the only reason they were hired. We strongly value integrity, honesty, dedication, and sportsmanship as critical traits in our team members.

We think like explorers.

We recognize that we are trying to do something that has never been done before. While these new frontiers excite us, we are also cognizant of the magnitude of the challenges ahead. As we navigate uncharted territories, we devote the necessary preparation, creativity, and effort required to achieve our goals.

We have a steadfast commitment to the team.

We believe that our collective knowledge, experience, and talent is enough to overcome any problem. We put our team members in the best positions for them to succeed and will be there to support them regardless of the outcome.

We believe there is power in diversity.

This statement applies both to the microbiome we study and also encoded in our team and culture. The members of Kanvas represent different ages, races, nationalities, genders, identities, and orientations. We view these differences as a strength because different perspectives fuel our scientific discoveries and fortify our company culture.

Seniority level Director

Employment type Full‑time

Job function Science, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing

Industries Biotechnology Research and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

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