Quality Assurance Manager – Custom Steel Fabricator
Northern Ontario – North Bay, ON
Company
Privately owned Canadian Company, incorporated in 1976 with an excellent reputation for quality workmanship, reliability, and commitment to customer’s requirements. The company specializes in fabricated platework and structural steel serving the mining, pulp & paper, chemical, general construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors. Projects include the fabrication and erection of commercial and heavy industrial buildings, highway bridges, large custom machinery, and process equipment. Design is often undertaken for holding tanks and pressure vessels.
Material grades typically include carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
Certifications are held to CSA Standards as administered by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB).
An ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System is currently in place and recognition from the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) has been granted for meeting quality certification requirements for Steel Structures and Steel Bridges.
The company is also certified by the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) – Pressure Vessels Safety Branch of Ontario for the manufacture of boilers and pressure vessels to the code of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and can also manufacture to American Petroleum Institute (API) standards.
Position
The position of the Quality Assurance Manager requires proven hands-on knowledge and skill in managing a QA department in Custom Steel Fabrication environment. A background/experience in welding/fabrication and the corresponding quality control measure is essential as well as the ability to direct/support QA staff in controlling and inspecting all stages of fabrication (layout from drawings, cutting, basic machining, fitting, welding, grinding, and testing).
The QA Manager reports directly to the Vice-President and interacts with all areas of the facility to assure the quality expectations are being met and exceeded. The incumbent is responsible for establishing strong, current, forward-thinking QA practices. This includes the ability to create and foster strong teams, implement and execute appropriate quality processes and standards, and apply manufacturing and continuous improvement principles to the manufacturing process.
In addition, the QA Manager is an active partner and leader in the development of a continuous operations improvement culture and in fostering the company spirit for future growth. The potential candidate will be dedicated to support and drive the implementation of advanced quality control systems, measurements, and Key Performance Indicators, and maintain the highest quality control standards.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Manage all day-to-day aspects of the QA process, establish quality objectives/deliverables, and be directly involved in bettering workmanship of all projects via quality control measures, teaching, etc.
2. Plan, organize, schedule, and maintain the activities of the quality department including all inspections of products to ensure supporting the needs of internal departments and customers. This requires the development of Inspection and Test Plans (ITP’s).
3. Prepare and supervise the project quality documentation package; verify that all QC forms and quality records are completed and acceptable for Code and customer requirements. Submit all QA/QC related submissions to the Owner/GC as required by project specifications.
4. Liaise with all third-party inspectors and internal staff.
5. Define, setup and/or maintain overall quality system with standards for usage, storage, inspection, testing, and calibration of all instruments and gauges and monitoring of process variances to ensure they are prioritized, reported, and adequately resolved.
6. Upkeep certifications with the CWB, ISO, TSSA, and other bodies.
7. Be involved in the early stages of project planning in regard to construction methods (i.e. welding processes, weld procedures & joint geometry, etc.). This would be done in consultation with internal resources.
8. Perform “spot” welding inspection, dimensional checking (especially HOLD point items), and painting inspection (blast profiles, DFT readings, etc.) as needed to meet job specifications and internal QA/QC plans.
9. The ideal candidate would have practical experience in welding and should be knowledgeable in all the welding equipment, troubleshooting, and can provide input for equipment purchasing.
10. Responsible for the preparation, approval, revision, distribution, and implementation of the companies various Quality Control Manuals including:
- ISO9001:2015
- ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Sec VIII Div 1, B31.1 and B31.3, the National Board Inspection Code and CSA B51
- CISC quality certification for Steel Bridges & Steel Structures
and ensuring the on-floor inspectors and employees are complying with the applicable program in all relevant areas [i.e. preparing and adhering to Inspection Reporting, Non-Conformance Reporting (NCR’s), etc.].
11. The incumbent would be responsible for preparing and developing welding procedures with the welding engineer, maintaining Procedure Qualification Records (PQR’s), and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS’s) and ensuring welders are working within the essential parameters of the appropriate WPS. Will also be involved in the preparation of Repair Procedures that meet code requirements, and the eventual execution of the methods with production.
12. Develop and supervise the program for controlling the use of weld procedures and qualified welders on projects, including the training and restriction of welders in accordance with their qualifications and customer requirements.
13. Be proactive in fabrication and welding activity on the floor (during construction) via In-Process Inspection to best prevent mistakes from happening, and to perform Final Inspection as required, all as necessary with the objective of preventing unacceptable workmanship the work is done. The QA Manager is required to aid in finding the solutions to work stoppages attributable to deficient workmanship.
14. Working with the customers to respond to defects and test failures/results by recommending corrective action and ensuring the execution of the corrective action.
15. Develop, maintain, and report Key Performance Indicators for the QA department.
Qualifications:
1. A minimum of 8 to 10 years of Quality Assurance experience with 5 years in a management position in a custom metal fabrication environment or comparable industry.
2. Post-secondary degree or diploma, preferably in Mechanical Engineering, Metal Science or Welding Engineering Technology.
3. Hands-on expertise in the inspection of structural steel, bridges, and/or pressure vessels.
4. Deep knowledge and practical understanding of welding processes and procedures for the fabrication of pressure vessels, large custom platework, bridges, and structural steel.
5. A minimum of 2 years of experience in implementing QA programs and best practices.
6. Must have or attain a strong working knowledge of applicable codes used in our fabrications such as CSA W47, CSA W59, OPSS 906, OPSS 911, API, ASME Sec VIII, etc. The QA Manager must also have the ability to deal with the inspectors covering these codes, standards, and regulations.
7. Proven track record as a leader, coach, and mentor with hands-on management approach that encourages change and creative problem-solving.
8. Preferred candidates would be certified as a CWB Level 2 Welding Inspector.
9. NACE Inspection credentials would be ideal.
10. Be proficient in MS Office Products for the preparation of ITP’s, QC Check Sheets, Inspection Travelers and Fracture Control Plans at the early stages to respect tolerances and other requirements of applicable codes. Skill in using MS Project and AutoCAD would be valuable but is not a requirement.
11. Experience with the ISO 9001 Quality Management System (or similar program).
12. Demonstrated excellent organizational and document control skills, strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making ability with attention to detail.
13. Outstanding interpersonal, motivational and time management skills with strong customer service orientation.
14. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
15. Bilingual in English and French would be ideal.
16. Dynamic, positive, team player with the drive and the desire to make a real difference.
The company is offering full-time employment and a competitive total compensation package comprised of a base salary, Health, Dental, Life and LTD insurance along with an Employee Family Assistance Program and a Pension Plan.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Wellness program
Schedule:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- North Bay, ON P1A 0E2: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- AEC / DEP or Skilled Trade Certificate (preferred)
Work Location: In person
