Quality Assurance Lead

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA). 

This position has a term of two years. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department Summary

Facilities and Operations is a diverse portfolio responsible for a range of essential services and work across our five campuses. From managing capital construction and renovations, providing utilities and energy management, to delivering student and campus services, Facilities and Operations works behind the scenes to make the university a great place to study, learn, and work.

Trades, Infrastructure and Maintenance (TIM), wherein this position resides, is located within the Asset Management and Operations unit. TIM is responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of maintenance services that support the building infrastructure system operations through the use of trade workers and leaders.

Position summary

Reporting directly to the Operational Excellence Manager and is a key member of the quality management team. The Quality Assurance Lead is responsible for analyzing existing processes and developing and executing a full scope of contractor and supplier quality management systems for the Trades & Infrastructure Maintenance (TIM) team. 

As the Quality Assurance Lead you  will plan, organize, and report on all quality assurance activities of third party manufacturers, service providers, and suppliers hired or contracted by TIM. You will oversee all contractor and supplier quality assurance related matters and report on their performance with regards to meeting TIM’s quality expectations. This requires you as the successful incumbent to perform on site quality surveillance audits (visual and written) of both contractors’ and suppliers’ activities as assigned and identify, report, and manage the full lifecycle of contractor and supplier non-conformances implementing the required corrective actions as required. You will process, collect, analyze, report, and provide subject matter expertise and direction on all contractor and supplier quality assurance related matters as they relate to the external and internal work performed at the university and any material and equipment supplied to the university. This Lead is also responsible for working with any F&O stakeholders, who also bring or service equipment to the university that will be regularly maintained by TIM. They will work closely with these stakeholders to ensure compliance with TIM’s quality management system. Your strong stakeholder and relationship skills will assist you inworking closely with the Inspection/commissioning Officers in both the mechanical and electrical trades within TIM. 

In addition to the above, this position requires a strong skill set in the leadership elements identified below: 

• Safety
• Continuous Improvement
• Teamwork & Leadership
• Adaptability
• Ownership & Accountability
• Planning & Organization
• Analytical Problem Solving
• Enterprise Software

Duties

Quality Planning and Coordination:

• Works with the various groups within the University (SMS, TIM leaders, PMO, Engineering & Technical Services, etc.) to develop and implement a TIM specific quality management system of evaluating, qualifying, approving, auditing, and rating contractor and supplier performance;
• Develop and implement a contractor and supplier non-conformance program;
• Interfaces directly with suppliers, contractors, and TIM managers to implement product and/or process controls required so that supplied services and materials meet TIM’s requirements;
• Develop and implement a contractor and supplier performance measuring program that reports and tracks the quality levels and expectations of purchased material and outsourced services for TIM;
• Directs and advises suppliers in a continuing performance improvement program;
• Coordinates all quality related expectations between the TIM and their contractors and suppliers;
• Develops, implements, and sustains quality processes for TIM quality management through inspection, control, and risk mitigation for TIM;
• Identifies and initiates supplier quality requirements as industry standards dictate. 

Quality Reporting and Compliance Enforcement:

• Implements and enforces a contractor and supplier non-conformance program through the use of inspection & test plans (ITPs) and other reporting tools for monitoring quality with mutually agreed review, witness, inspect, and hold points;
• Takes ownership of identifying, reporting, resolving, and enforcing any quality issues complete with require corrective actions directly with the contractor or supplier by performing both quality system and product quality supplier audits;
• Documents any corrective actions through the implementation of NCR’s (Non-Compliance Reports) to aid in the recognition of any shortcomings due to safety infractions, process, or procedural omissions;
• Assesses and advises on supplier process gaps as needed;
• Performs extensive contractor and supplier prequalification audits prior to award to ensure that they are following industry recognized/accepted and government regulated processes and procedures;
• Tracks, analyzes, and reports on supplier performance metrics to stakeholders along with recommendations on tactical and strategic improvements for best practices with emphasis on supplier development and quality management to support TIM;
• Assists with qualification and approval of all existing and new suppliers to TIM. 

Miscellaneous Quality Duties:

• Remains current with changing technology in the contractor quality management industry established best practices;
• Sets up and initiates a cost recovery management system whereby suppliers would be responsible for the final product and accountable for any necessary corrective actions directed by TIM resulting from any poor workmanship;
• Leads the development of business process flows related to this shop;
• Performs other quality related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems // 5 Years working knowledge
• OHS (Occupational Health and Safety Alberta) // 5 Years working knowledge
• CSA (Canadian Standards Association as it relates to construction trades)  // 5 Years working knowledge
• ABSA (Alberta Boilers Safety Association)  // 5 Years working knowledge
• CSTS (Construction Safety Training System) Certified
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) 3 Years working knowledge
• WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) Certified
• NBC (National Building Code Alberta Edition)  // 3 Years working knowledge
• NEC (National Energy Code)  // 3 Years working knowledge
• A minimum high school diploma and diploma, degree, or certificate in 3 or more of the codes/standards listed above

Preferred Qualifications

• Supplier Quality Management  // 5 Years working knowledge
• Working with 3rd Party Suppliers  // 5 Years working knowledge
• Maintenance and Construction Environment  // 5 Years working knowledge

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.