Location: Calgary, Alberta
Type of Employment: Permanent – Full time
About Us:
Northern RNA Inc. is a new Canadian CMO specializing in the production of nucleic acid products that support life-enabling work. Our goal is to work alongside our customers to provide scalable manufacturing capacity and to help them accelerate innovation in bringing their products from benchtop to bedside or field.
About Our Opportunity:
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Vice President, Manufacturing to lead all site operations at our Calgary facility. This role is a leadership position on site and is responsible for the overall execution, performance, and continuous improvement of Technical Operations, Manufacturing, Quality Control, and Supply Chain functions within a cGMP, biotechnology CDMO environment.
The Vice President, Manufacturing will ensure the reliable, compliant, and efficient production of advanced nucleic acid-based therapeutics while driving operational excellence, scalability, and cross-functional integration.
Primary Responsibilities:
Site Leadership
- Provide overall leadership and accountability for all site functions, building and developing a high-performing, cross-functional leadership team across Manufacturing, Technical Operations, Quality Control, Supply Chain, and Facilities.
- Define and execute the site’s strategic vision, including long-term growth plans, operational goals, and performance objectives aligned with corporate priorities.
- Establish clear operating plans, KPIs, and governance structures to drive accountability, transparency, and execution discipline across the organization.
- Oversee financial performance of the site, including budget development, cost management, capital allocation, and workforce planning to support both near-term delivery and long-term scalability.
Quality, Safety, and Compliance
- Ensure all products are manufactured in full compliance with cGMP, regulatory requirements (FDA, Health Canada, and global agencies), and internal quality standards.
- Maintain a state of continuous inspection readiness, with robust quality systems supporting deviations, CAPA, change control, and documentation practices.
- Champion a “quality-first” and “right-the-first-time” culture across all operations and functions.
- Promote and embed a strong safety culture, ensuring adherence to EHS standards and proactive risk identification and mitigation in all operations.
Manufacturing & Operations
- Provide end-to-end oversight of manufacturing operations, spanning RNA synthesis through downstream processing and LNP drug product fill-finish.
- Ensure manufacturing activities are executed reliably, efficiently, and in alignment with production schedules, client commitments, and regulatory requirements.
- Drive operational excellence initiatives to improve throughput, batch success rates, yield, cycle times, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- Implement best practices in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement to enhance productivity and reduce operational variability.
Technical Operations
- Oversee & Lead the execution of process and technology transfers from development to GMP manufacturing, ensuring seamless scale-up and commercialization readiness.
- Oversee process validation, continued process verification (CPV), and lifecycle management of manufacturing processes.
- Ensure all equipment, systems, and processes remain in a qualified and controlled state through effective validation, calibration, and maintenance programs.
- Drive ongoing innovation and process optimization to improve robustness, scalability, and cost efficiency of manufacturing processes.
Quality Control
- Provide oversight for all QC activities, including raw materials, in-process testing, environmental monitoring, and finished product release.
- Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant testing to support batch disposition and release timelines.
- Strengthen analytical capabilities and laboratory efficiency to support increasing production demands and evolving product complexity.
- Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure alignment between testing, release decisions, and overall quality system performance.
Supply Chain
- Oversee end-to-end supply chain operations, including procurement, production planning, inventory management, warehousing, and logistics.
- Ensure a reliable and cost-effective supply of raw materials, consumables, and critical components to support uninterrupted manufacturing operations.
- Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to address supply chain vulnerabilities and ensure business continuity.
- Drive integration of supply chain planning with manufacturing operations to optimize scheduling, capacity utilization, and delivery performance.
Facilities & Growth
- Oversee facility operations, ensuring infrastructure, utilities, and production environments are maintained to support GMP compliance and operational reliability.
- Lead capital expansion projects, including facility upgrades, capacity expansion, and implementation of new technologies to support business growth.
- Ensure effective asset lifecycle management, including preventative maintenance and reliability programs to maximize uptime and performance.
- Plan and execute future-state facility strategies to accommodate pipeline growth and evolving manufacturing capabilities.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the primary site leader and key point of contact for executive leadership, external partners, clients, and regulatory authorities.
- Provide clear, data-driven communication on site performance, risks, opportunities, and mitigation strategies.
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support business development, client satisfaction, and regulatory confidence.
- Represent the site during regulatory inspections, audits, and high-level business engagements.
Education, Work Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
Formal Education:
- Degree in engineering, science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
Work Experience:
- Degree in engineering, science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
- 15+ years in biopharma, biotechnology, or related manufacturing
- 10+ years leading teams and leaders
- Experience in RNA, biologics, or sterile manufacturing (LNP and fill-finish preferred)
- Strong leadership, communication, and operational skills
Knowledge and Skills:.
· Excellent communication skills – verbal and written.
· Time management skills to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
· Ability to utilize sound judgement and implement analytical, creative approaches to solve complex problems. Demonstrates innovative problem solving and analytical skills.
· Has a good level of business acumen and knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry. Has the necessary business knowledge to work with internal/external groups such as HR, Finance, Legal and external contractors.
· Must be a team player prepared to lead, work in and embrace a team-based culture.
· Strong problem-solving skills, especially mechanical, chemical, and logistical
· Statistical skills applicable to process monitoring, validation, and analytics
Working conditions:
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with hazardous materials and industrial equipment
- Full-time, on site in Calgary
- Occasional off-hours support and up to 20% travel
- Regular presence on the production floor and in labs
What we offer?
We offer a highly competitive salary and company-paid benefits. Additionally, there are excellent opportunities for learning and growth while working alongside our teams of experts who are bright, collegial, and highly motivated and who are on the cusp of the mRNA vaccine science and technology era.
Benefits:
Northern RNA Inc. offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Basic Life Insurance, General Illness (Long Term Disability), Vacation, Performance Bonus, on-site parking and Accidental Death and Dismemberment.
Additional Information:
- Northern RNA Inc. requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Northern RNA Inc. will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.
- Northern RNA Inc. requires all employees to wear a face covering (mask) in indoor public premises.
- Location for this position is in Calgary, Alberta. Candidates must be located within commuting distance or be willing to relocate to this area. Canadian citizens and those legally entitled to work in Canada are encouraged to apply. We are currently unable to sponsor.
Northern RNA Inc. is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Northern RNA Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability or other legally protected status. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Dental care
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Flexible language requirement:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Calgary, AB T2A 7H8: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Master's Degree (required)
Experience:
- Leading Teams: 10 years (preferred)
- Biopharma : 10 years (required)
Location:
- Calgary, AB T2A 7H8 (required)
Work Location: In person
