Whether you’re a recent grad or an experienced professional exploring pharma careers, these five major players are actively recruiting in the GTA. Below is a detailed look at their company cultures, local office hubs, and strategic areas of focus.
1. Johnson & Johnson (Canada)
GTA Presence and Offices
Johnson & Johnson operates within Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District via their JLABS @ Toronto incubator, the company’s first innovation hub outside the US, supporting biotech startups and digital health ventures. Their corporate and commercial roles are concentrated in Toronto and Markham, spanning departments such as medical affairs, regulatory affairs, supply chain, market access, and commercial operations.
Culture and Environment
Glassdoor reviewers in Canada rate Johnson & Johnson around 4.2 out of 5 overall, with strong marks for work life balance and diversity (Glassdoor). Employees describe the workplace as collaborative, professional, and focused on continuous learning. On Indeed, reviewers highlight smart and kind people, excellent benefits, and strong internal mobility opportunities (Indeed).
Key Focus Areas
Johnson & Johnson Canada offers roles in pharmaceutical innovation, medical devices, regulatory affairs, commercial strategy, health economics, and R&D. Their JLABS hub supports collaboration with early stage ventures, linking innovation with real world health outcomes.
2. Roche Canada
GTA Presence and Offices
Roche’s Canadian head office is located in Mississauga, where they house diagnostics and clinical development teams. Additional roles occasionally appear in Toronto within corporate and commercial functions.
Culture and Environment
Roche Canada is frequently named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. Glassdoor reviewers rate Roche Canada highly, with 4.4 for work life balance, 4.6 for diversity and inclusion, and 4.5 for culture and values, all well above industry averages (Glassdoor). One employee writes, "One of the best companies I have ever worked for, motivates people to stay and plan a long term career." Indeed reviewers echo that sentiment, praising a supportive work environment, good wages, and ergonomic office space (Indeed).
Key Focus Areas
Roche recruits across pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, including clinical operations, R&D, diagnostic innovation, regulatory affairs, market access, and field based roles in oncology, immunology, and digital health.
3. Teva Canada
GTA Presence and Offices
Teva’s Ontario corporate headquarters is in Scarborough, with manufacturing and packaging facilities in Markham and Stouffville, including Canada’s largest antibiotics plant.
Culture and Environment
Teva Canada promotes a mission driven, fast paced environment. Glassdoor reviewers note a professional, dynamic atmosphere and opportunities for learning and growth (Glassdoor). On Indeed, employees cite good benefits and a supportive team culture, though some reviews mention that the pace can be intense in manufacturing and regulatory roles (Indeed).
Key Focus Areas
Teva’s hiring spans generic pharmaceutical manufacturing, regulatory affairs, supply chain, quality assurance, packaging, and market access. As a global generics leader, many local roles support large scale production and export from the GTA.
4. Apotex Inc.
GTA Presence and Offices
Apotex is headquartered in Toronto, in the North York area, and integrates R&D and manufacturing operations throughout the GTA. It is Canada’s largest pharmaceutical company by volume.
Culture and Environment
Apotex employees frequently mention a purpose driven culture centered around providing affordable medicines globally. However, the reviews are mixed. On Glassdoor, Apotex holds an overall score of 3.3 out of 5, with 3.5 for culture and values and 3.4 for career opportunities (Glassdoor). While some reviews mention issues with micromanagement or compensation competitiveness, others highlight excellent mentorship opportunities and well equipped labs. Indeed reviewers describe the company as fast paced and collaborative, with clear expectations and strong teams (Indeed).
Key Focus Areas
Apotex specializes in the manufacturing of generic medications and biosimilars. Their product lines cover cancer, diabetes, hypertension, infections, and more. Roles span R&D, licensing, quality control, production, and regulatory support.
5. Sanofi Canada
GTA Presence and Offices
Sanofi Canada operates a major facility in Toronto, home to both its pharmaceutical operations and Sanofi Pasteur, its global vaccines division. They’ve also established a Centre of Excellence in AI in Toronto to support data driven R&D innovation.
Culture and Environment
Sanofi has been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers and one of the Top Employers in the Greater Toronto Area. Employees note a culture of collaboration and purpose. Glassdoor reviewers rate the Toronto site 4.1 out of 5, with especially high scores for DE&I and employee experience (Glassdoor). According to Indeed reviews, teamwork and openness are a strong part of the culture, and many note strong support systems for new employees (Indeed).
Key Focus Areas
Sanofi hires across pharmaceuticals, vaccines through Sanofi Pasteur, regulatory affairs, digital health, immunology, and clinical development. They also offer unique AI and data science roles as part of their global innovation strategy.
Why These Five Matter
Strong GTA footprint
All five companies operate key offices, labs, or manufacturing sites within Toronto or the broader GTA.
Career variety
From entry level operations to senior clinical roles, they offer diverse opportunities in biotech, generics, regulatory affairs, and AI enabled pharma.
Workplace culture
Companies like Roche and Johnson and Johnson stand out for employee development and values, while Teva and Apotex emphasize mission and speed. Sanofi blends innovation with sustainability and inclusion.
Global impact
Whether you're supporting cutting edge therapies or helping produce essential generics, your work connects to healthcare systems around the world.
Use the links above to explore job opportunities at each company, or check out their company pages here on our site to view open roles and learn more.