Quality Assurance Specialist

Location: Remote/In-Office/Hybrid

About Us:

Bushbalm is The Bikini Line Skincare Experts, on a mission to be the go-to solution for ingrown hairs, dark spots, and razor bumps—everywhere on the body. We create effective, results-driven products that help people feel confident in their skin, from the bikini line to underarms and beyond.

Born in Ottawa, ON, we’ve grown from a bold idea to one of the city’s most exciting startups—securing a deal on Dragons’ Den and ranking among Ottawa’s fastest-growing companies. With a powerhouse eCommerce presence, a rapidly expanding retail footprint, and a strong network of waxing professionals, we’re disrupting the skincare industry in a big way.

At Bushbalm, you’ll join a fast-moving, passionate team where innovation, collaboration, and career growth go hand in hand. If you're ready to make an impact, we’d love to meet you!

Why Join Bushbalm?

• Be part of a rapidly growing and innovative skincare brand making waves in the beauty industry.
• Work in a collaborative and fun environment that values creativity and fresh ideas.
• Gain strong opportunities for career growth and professional development.
• Help expand a brand that is available in Ulta Beauty locations nationwide and 17,000+ waxing salons.

About the Role:

The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for building and owning the quality function at Bushbalm. Reporting directly to the Director of Operations, this role establishes the systems, protocols, and supplier relationships that ensure every product we ship meets our quality standards.

This is a newly created role. You’ll be the person creating our quality systems from the ground up while also handling day-to-day quality issues as they arise. As we scale and diversify our supplier base across new geographies, the quality function will be foundational to protecting our brand and our customer experience.

The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000 CAD.

Responsibilities:

Quality Inspection & Protocols

• Build and own pre-shipment and incoming quality inspection programs using AQL sampling protocols across all received shipments

Supplier Quality Management

• Conduct supplier quality audits, both on-site and via documentation review, across our domestic and international supplier base
• Build and maintain supplier scorecards in partnership with the Director of Operations

Quality Issue Resolution

• Lead quality issue escalation and root cause analysis when defects, contamination, or non-conformance issues arise

Regulatory Compliance

• Support regulatory compliance across Health Canada, FDA, and other applicable jurisdictions in partnership with the Product Development team

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with the Product team on formulation specifications, packaging compliance, and new product launches to ensure quality is built in from day one

Who You Are:

Must-haves

• 3-5 years of quality assurance experience in cosmetics, personal care, beauty, or another regulated CPG environment (food, OTC pharma, supplements)
• Hands-on experience running incoming quality inspections using AQL sampling protocols (ISO 2859-1 or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of cosmetic regulatory frameworks - Health Canada Cosmetic Regulations, FDA cosmetic and OTC oversight (including MoCRA)
• Experience managing Certificate of Analysis (COA) review and documentation across raw materials and finished goods
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and conducting or participating is supplier quality assessments
• Strong written communication - you'll be producing deviation reports, audit findings, and CAPA documentation regularly

Education

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, food science, biochemistry, pharmaceutical science, or a related discipline
• Familiarity with cosmetic GMP (ISO 22716)

Perks & Benefits:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible work environment (remote/hybrid options where applicable).
• Health and wellness benefits, including a lifestyle spending account.
• Professional development opportunities to support career growth.
• Free access to our award-winning products.
• Inclusive and dynamic company culture with team-building events.

Join us in redefining body care and making an impact in the beauty industry!