Vinodha Chetty
Surrey,Canada
Summary
A Quality Assurance professional with over 10+ years of experience managing teams in Cannabis, Natural Health Products, Analytical chemistry, Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology. A serial innovator with a strong industrial acumen and a keen eye for detail, meticulously persevering to establish and continually improve quality standards for new and existing processes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Quality Manager
Aspeya
Vancouver, British Columbia
02.2025 - Current
- Developed quality management systems to ensure regulatory compliance and operational efficiency, for Natural Health Products and Medicinal Cannabis operations (GMP, GPP)
- Conducted regular audits to ensure that Contract Manufacturers and vendors meet required quality expectations.
- Led cross-functional teams in identifying and resolving quality-related issues.
- Developed and maintained Quality Technical Agreements between CDMOs and Aspeya and ensured compliance.
- Approval and release of all products through Aspeya, which includes natural health products and medicinal cannabis, such as lozenges, tablets, gums, and chew melts, etc.
- Responsible for all quality and compliance related activities required for the launch of 15 different SKUs this year in North America.
QA & Compliance
Independent consultant
10.2022 - 02.2025
- Help cannabis licensed producers and government Agritech institutes obtain licenses/certifications, including application process and leading external audits.
- Current projects include: Application for Health Canada processing license, Application for Health Canada cultivation and license, Certifications to sell internationally (GACP, Israel CUMCS, GMP), Supplier engagement and managing BC Agritech projects.
- Conduct gap audits to ensure compliance to required regulations.
- Ideation, development and maintenance of Quality Management System.
- Setting up documentation and elements of the QMS including SOPs, forms, batch records, systems, programs.
- Provide guidance on ERP software for seed-to-sale management, QMS management, and customer management.
- Training of staff on relevant QA practices and procedures.
- Providing feedback on regulatory requirements, conduct risk assessment and provide mitigation strategies.
- Provide support for creating operational efficiencies.
Quality Manager, QAP
Rubicon Organics
Delta, Canada
09.2021 - 10.2022
- Responsible for leading a team of 10 and establishing quality systems and standards.
- Responsible for the design, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of quality and regulatory programs.
- Led audits and responsible for liaising with auditors, closure of non-conformances and implementing corrective and preventive actions- Health Canada, Fraser Valley Organic Certification (FVOPA), Israel IgCann, EU-GMP.
- Responsible for managing quality programs- Audits (Internal, External, Supplier), Change Management, Risk Management, Complaints and deviations, Vendor Management, Quality control.
- Responsible for Production Batch Release and approval of batches for sale, along with assessing Health Canada required lab certificates of analysis.
- Establish quality metrics and lead the team to meet Quality and Compliance KPIs.
- Created process efficiencies with projects, leading to about $200,000 of savings in a year.
Quality Assurance Manager, A/QAP, RPIC
Tantalus Labs Ltd
Maple Ridge, Canada
02.2018 - 09.2021
- Ideated and developed the Quality Management System (cGMP, ISO 9001) at Tantalus Labs from scratch, including collaborating with different departments and establishing elements such as SOPs, Production Batch Records, CAPAs, Deviations, Quality Events, Audits, Training programs, Risk Management, Lab sampling & testing, Environmental monitoring program, and Equipment.
- Responsible for managing a team of five to maintain Quality Assurance and Quality Control at Tantalus Labs.
- Successfully led several Health Canada Inspections as the A/QAP, including Sales License, quarterly and annual inspections.
- Responsible for establishing and maintaining vendor management programs.
- Responsible for designing and implementing the Internal Audit program.
- Designed and implemented the Quality Risk Management plan, in accordance with EU GMP standards and HACCP.
- Responsible for managing complaints, setting up investigations carrying out of Corrective and Preventative actions.
- Developed training programs pertaining to QA concepts and SOPs and evaluated performance of employees.
- Responsible for writing, reviewing and editing SOPs, along with maintaining documentation control and ensuring that processes in the facility are being carried out in accordance with these SOPs.
- Responsible for managing Production Batch records and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
Senior Analytical Chemistry Specialist
Anandia Laboratories Inc
Vancouver, Canada
12.2016 - 02.2018
- Underwent training in elements of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard and implemented changes to attain ISO accreditation for Anandia Labs.
- Responsible for validating methods and processing analytical data on LC-MS and GC-MS for cannabinoids, pesticides, aflatoxins, residual solvents, and terpenes.
Quality Control Analyst
SignalChem Pharmaceuticals Inc
Richmond, Canada
06.2016 - 12.2016
- Led a team of five and managed quality programs following GMP standards
Education
Masters of Science (M.Sc.) - Reproductive and Developmental Sciences
University of British Columbia
01.2016
Bachelors of Technology (B.Tech) - Biotechnology
Sri Ramaswamy Memorial University
01.2012
Certification
- Risk Management Principles and Practices, Simon Fraser University (SFU)
- Principles of Auditing 1, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)
- HACCP: Developing a HACCP Plan, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
- Foundations of Project Management 1 and 2, Mitacs Canada
- Technical and Scientific Writing, Mitacs Canada
- Lean Launchpad Program, e@UBC, Sauder School of Business
Additional Information
Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, Tantalus Labs., Panel speaker at the C-45 Cannabis Quality summit, 2020. Discussion topic: The Innovation cycle and Quality Management, Social Media Coordinator, Biotech Network- a Vancouver based networking organization hosting biotechnology related seminars and workshops.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Quality Manager
Aspeya
02.2025 - Current
QA & Compliance
Independent consultant
10.2022 - 02.2025
Quality Manager, QAP
Rubicon Organics
09.2021 - 10.2022
Quality Assurance Manager, A/QAP, RPIC
Tantalus Labs Ltd
02.2018 - 09.2021
Senior Analytical Chemistry Specialist
Anandia Laboratories Inc
12.2016 - 02.2018
Quality Control Analyst
SignalChem Pharmaceuticals Inc
06.2016 - 12.2016
Masters of Science (M.Sc.) - Reproductive and Developmental Sciences
University of British Columbia
Bachelors of Technology (B.Tech) - Biotechnology
Sri Ramaswamy Memorial University