Quality Assurance & Compliance Specialist - Stirling & Falkirk

Celtic Renewables is widely regarded as one of the most innovative Biotech companies in Europe,  who have developed a patented low-carbon technology that converts biological residues into high value low carbon sustainable bio-chemicals using an inspirational reinvention of a century old process known as the Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) fermentation, to bring this age old fermentation back to the global scale.  The sustainable biochemicals produced by this innovative process can be utilised across a broad spectrum of much needed green products from biofuel, to cosmetics, food flavourings, hygiene and pharmaceuticals.  This pioneering company has completed the first stage of construction of their first state of the art processing plant in Grangemouth, a historical exemplar plant for Scotland, and are preparing to move to live plant commissioning early next year.

The company is committed to working with people who believe in sustainability and innovation and we are partnering with Nine Twenty Engineering & Manufacturing to recruit a number of key roles for the exciting move into the operational phase with a number of roles to be filled this year and early in 2021.  Nine Twenty has a passion for start-up organisations, innovative technology and environmental sustainability and so they are both proud and delighted to be supporting such an exciting Scottish based business at such pivotal phase.

They are now looking to appoint a Quality Assurance & Compliance Specialist to be the compliance lead for the company ensuring that they meet all legal, regulatory and internal company requirements to support the delivery of the company’s strategic plan and vision “To be the World Leader in ABE Fermentation as a Global Sustainable Industry”. The successful candidate will ensure the completion of all activities required to obtain a ‘Licence to Operate’ for the Company’s Exemplar plant under construction at Caledon Green, Grangemouth.  This will include ensuring they obtain all the necessary consents and certifications in relation to the construction and operation of the plant and implementation of the processes and systems necessary to achieve compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, quality requirements and internal policies on an ongoing basis. 

This is an amazing opportunity to make an impact on the organisation from the beginning as the ‘Licence to Operate’ for the Exemplar plant will be a blueprint for future full-scale plants.

This will be a busy role that requires someone who has the expertise to implement and drive the standards across the business whilst having the ability to roll sleeves up and lead by example.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Being the main compliance lead for the company, providing the required expertise and driving a culture that ensures compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory and internal company requirements including environmental, health & safety and the Company’s quality management system.
• Determine all the legal, regulatory and internal company requirements that constitute a ‘Licence to Operate’ for the Company’s Exemplar plant at Caledon Green, Grangemouth including for the construction, ongoing operation of the plant, and sale of products.
• Ensure all the necessary consents and certifications are obtained for the ‘Licence to Operate’ and implement the required processes and systems to ensure we remain fully compliant with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, and all internal policies on an ongoing basis.
• Development and implementation of a plan to obtain certification to ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001 standards, covering CRL manufacturing sites and associated research facilities. Development and ongoing continual improvement of the company’s Integrated Management System.
• Be the Company expert on certifications such as FEMAS, REACH, Sustainability etc.
• Stay up to date with all relevant legal and statutory requirements and ensure that the impacts of these are assessed and addressed including any changes required to company policies, systems or procedures.
• Manage relationships with relevant external regulatory bodies including SEPA, HSE, Local Authorities, Trade Bodies etc.
• Implement processes for the monitoring and audit of compliance as well as processes to address non-compliance issues including escalation and verification procedures.
• Ensure appropriate systems are in place for the recording, archiving and retrieval of data and information necessary for evidencing compliance.

As you can imagine with any start up plant, resilience, a real desire to succeed and the ability to effectively communicate at all levels and solve problems as they arise will be key, along with the following:

• Educated to Degree level in a relevant discipline (or equivalent) with demonstrable experience in a compliance role within a biotech, chemical, or food & drink manufacturing environment.
• Be able to demonstrate considerable knowledge and experience of product certification and assurance schemes (e.g. REACH, FEMAS); environmental legislation; and health & safety legislation.
• Have experience of implementation and/or management of Integrated Management Systems based on ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001.
• Be able to demonstrate experience of systems for product traceability; process control; and data collection and analysis.
• Be experienced in carrying out both internal audits and external audits of suppliers and partners. (Lead Auditor qualification preferred)
• Be an expert in carrying out risk assessments and following through on mitigation actions.
• Be able to work across multiple functions within the company and have the ability and confidence to lead, motivate and secure the support of the team in the execution of the compliance function.
• Be capable of independently managing your own time and tasks, bearing in mind that this is an organisation which is developing at pace.
• Be capable of working towards gaining knowledge of the applied ABE process and all associated processes/plant/equipment, and experience/knowledge of managing compliance within a research environment would be an advantage.

Please apply direct or get in touch with Caroline Strachan at cstrachan@weareninetwenty.com or if you are unsure I will be more than happy to discuss the role with you.

Good Luck!