Quality Manager

Are you an inquisitive individual that has a passion for Quality Assurance? Are you looking for your next challenge with the opportunity to work within a highly regarded team that will support with your learning and development? Then look no further …

As a high profile site leadership role, the selected incumbent would be located at the Kirkland/Montreal, Canada Site. This role requires some travel for customer visits, and to suppliers. The role reports to the Fibre Optics & Components (FOCOM) Global Director of Quality. The individual will be responsible to strategically lead and position the organizational capabilities and synergies within the local quality organization internally and across our supplier and customer sites & collaborate with the Global Director of Quality & FOCOM quality organization ensuring the Kirkland site is both strategically & functionally aligned with the broader FOCOM business unit..

The Montreal Site Quality Manager will in conjunction with their peers develop and drive strategies for quality improvements for both internal and external customers, as well as suppliers. Incumbent will partner with other leaders in the business to ensure that the strategy is fully aligned, understood, communicated, and implemented at the site. The successful candidate should have experience in both influencing direction and management. Key elements of the role include:

• Conduct recruitment, selection, deployment, leadership, coaching, mentoring, and development of Montreal Quality Staff, driving continuous improvement in resource efficiency and effectiveness within the global quality team.
• In conjunction with the Global Director of Quality, determine the objectives, targets and goals for the Montreal Quality Staff to support and deliver value aligned to strategic initiatives. Measures progress and identifies / takes the necessary actions when objectives, targets and / or goals are not met.
• Lead the identification and execution of team activities / resources required to support strategies / initiatives.
• Drive dedicated focus on continuous improvements in business performance in areas of Quality, Cost, Lead-time and Delivery.
• Provide leadership to their team in the areas of systems, processes, and tools.
• Support the integration of lessons learned into global systems and processes wherever possible.
• Support enhancements to global systems, processes and tools to support changing / evolving global needs / requirements.

• Participate in development of global systems, processes and tools ensuring that market sector and site requirements / needs have been considered and incorporated wherever possible.
• Drive continuous improvement in site
• Support deployment of global systems, processes and tools.
• Provide systems assessment support as needed.
• Identify existing and future resource needs for the site to support strategies and future needs.
• Support enhancements to global systems, processes and tools to support changing / evolving global needs / requirements.
• Drive compliance to established global systems, processes and tools.
• Measure conformance and initiates actions when non-conformances are identified
• Ensure the timely and effective communication of changes / enhancements to Interconnect requirements / expectations
• Facilitate, coach, and mentor site quality and operational teams on Root Cause Analysis and effective corrective and preventive actions processes.
• Manage and maintain quality performance metrics at site
• Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to site staff including: Identification of targets, goals and objectives for the team as well as individual team members.
• Identify training and development needs for each direct report. Create and execute training plans, addressing the needs identified.
• Conduct effective Employee Appraisals in compliance with global HR processes with the aim of improving employee performances.
• Provide leadership to ensure Health, Safety, Environment & Safety programs and practices are compliant with all applicable regulations and Smiths requirements.
• Build effective working relationships with key leaders to obtain and sustain a strong HSE and Security culture
• Manage adherence and continuous improvement of processes in accordance with OHSAS18001/ISO45001 and ISO14001.
• Coordinate the HSE activities across the site and implement best practices.
• Provide plant level support and serve as key contact to Smiths Interconnect and external resources as needed for audits, benchmarking and reporting.
• Partner with key site resources to facilitate HSE&S systems, procedures, initiatives, compliance.
• Drive activities to meet energy usage and water reduction targets and minimize generation of waste.
• Keep up to date with current and pending HSE legislation and ensure that internal stakeholders are informed and made aware of the impact(s).
• Evaluate hazards in an industrial setting and perform risk assessments.
• Complete HSE&S reviews with site leader and leadership team to review successes, problems, risk areas, opportunities, etc.

Input Site monthly reporting on Smith Groups PRISM HSE website.

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

The Individual

• Experience required in multinational companies.
• Demonstrated performance in in multi-site, multi-national environments.
• Proven capability to lead cross functional teams in problem solving, process improvements, and solution implementation.
• Experience in supplier development and management is desirable.
• Knowledgeable and hands on experience in the application of Lean and Six Sigma including at least some of the following tools:
• Value Stream Mapping, Cpk/Ppk, GR&R, SPC, Control Plans, Sampling Plans, Kaizen, 5S, Statistical Analysis, SMED, 5 why’s, Root Cause analysis, 8D, VOC, QFD, Error Proofing, Robust Design, FMEA, Cause and Effect Diagrams, Pareto Analysis, etc.
• Experience and familiarity with Performance / Process Excellence and Built In Quality models is highly desirable, as are formal Lean and 6-sigma certifications.
• Knowledge of local and regional environment, safety and health laws, regulations and standards
• Knowledge of Safety and Environmental Management Systems – ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001/ISO 45001
• Knowledge of Incident Investigation Procedures: reporting of an occupational injury/illness, near miss, or property damage incident, incident investigations, root cause analysis and effective corrective action development.
• Knowledge of Global Harmonization, SDS (Safety Data Sheets), chemical labeling requirements, spill reporting, control methods, spill prevention, and chemical exposure.
• Bachelor’s degree in Quality or a Technical Discipline (i.e. IE, EE, ME, QE). Master Degree in relevant discipline is preferred.
• 5 to 10 years Quality / Operations / Engineering experience in management role in a world-class manufacturing setting, with demonstrated success in both quality leadership and business process excellence.
• Additional certification such as BB/MBB, CQE, CQM, and / or ISO Lead Auditor is highly desirable.
• Proven problem solving skills and abilities required
• Experienced in working in Design area with Design Teams
• Familiarity with and experience in applying Six Sigma methodologies required (qualified Green Belt / Black Belt preferred)
• Demonstrated skills must include strong written and oral communication, resource management, problem solving, process improvement, conflict resolution and process development / deployment administration and change management.
• Driving Results: Motivate to persistently pursue and achieve effective results, which drive the business forward
• Collaboration & Influencing: Engage, challenge and work effectively with others
• Driving Change: Drive change and continuous improvement in own business environment
• Decision Making: Make effective and timely decisions by sourcing and analyzing critical information
• Stakeholder impact: Effectively build relationships both internally and externally, understanding the customers’ needs
• Ability to demonstrate leadership ability and obtain results through others.
• Ability to perform problem analysis and resolution.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Bilingual preferences: English, Spanish, French, Italian German should be highlighted on resume.

At Smiths we apply leading-edge technology to design, manufacture and deliver market-leading innovative solutions that meet our customers' evolving needs, and touch the lives of millions of people every day. We are a FTSE100, global business of around 14,600 colleagues, based in 50+ countries. Our solutions have a real impact on lives across the planet, enabling industry, improving healthcare, enhancing security, advancing connectivity and supporting new homes. Our products and services are often critical to our customers’ operations, while our proprietary technology and high service levels help create competitive advantage. We welcome colleagues with a curious mind, who are happy with responsibility, enjoy a challenge and are attracted by the idea of working at a business with a 170+ year history of innovation, and five global divisions, all experts in their field.

About Smiths Interconnect

Smiths Interconnect is a leading provider of technically differentiated electronic components, subsystems, microwave and radio frequency products that ensure high speed, secure connectivity of critical applications in the defence, aerospace, communications and industrial markets. Our microwave technology is used in radar, communication and surveillance systems that are mission-critical and operate in extreme environments in aerospace and defence. Our microwave components and connectors ensure optimal performance, durability and safety of space satellites. Our semi-conductor test products are used to test highly sophisticated semi-conductors and electronic circuits in communication systems, gaming products and computing devices. Our in-flight antenna systems give passengers internet connectivity gate-to-gate on planes around the world. Our connector and cable solutions ensure reliability of critical medical equipment, and safe operation of trains and transport systems.One of five divisions of Smiths Group, Smiths Interconnect employs over 2000 people. We have a global presence selling our products in over 50 countries with manufacturing facilities in nine countries and offices across North America, Europe and Asia.