KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead the strategic vision and direction of the Conexus QA Program, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry developments.
• Oversee the QA Program areas by prioritizing, planning, and executing program activities using defined processes, tools, and performance standards.
• Lead and manage the CANDU Industry Assessment Committee (CANIAC) joint audit program.
• Represent Conexus in nuclear industry forums and act as the key interface with internal task teams and external stakeholders, including members and vendors.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Requires knowledge of the principles of Quality Assurance, Canadian and International Standards and Codes related to the design and procurement of nuclear components and systems (i.e., CSA N299, N286, N286.7 Standards and ASME NQA-1, ASME BPV Code Section III: Subsection NCA).
• Requires an advanced level of written and verbal communication skills to prepare detailed audit reports.
• Requires negotiation/influencing skills, change management, consulting with stakeholders, up-to-date QMS, strong records management and document management.
• Requires the ability to influence and gain co-operation from individuals with a wide variety of unique needs and from diverse cultures.
• Lead auditor certification and auditing experience in the nuclear sector is preferred.
• A period of up to five years of experience in direct or supportive audit functions of a nuclear utility or nuclear engineering organization is considered necessary to gain this experience.
• Stakeholder engagement and customer-focused experience are assets.

SCOPE (PURPOSE)

The Corporate QA Manager will play a key role in developing, implementing, and maintaining the Conexus Quality Management System (QMS). This position ensures that quality assurance processes meet corporate objectives and regulatory requirements, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and compliance. Reporting to the Director of Nuclear Safety & Environmental Affairs (NSEA), the QA Manager is responsible for ensuring the QMS remains aligned with both internal standards and external expectations. In addition, the QA Manager will oversee the CANDU Industry Assessment Committee (CANIAC) Joint Audit Program under the Joint Projects & Services line of business. For this component, the role reports functionally to the Program Director for CANIAC, supporting industry-wide collaboration and consistency in audit practices across member organizations.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Corporate QA Manager shall have the responsibility and accountability for recommending processes and standards that support the quality of services offered by Conexus to its members, along with supporting external audits.

• Develop, implement, and oversee the Conexus Quality Management System (QMS) as it relates to Conexus’ project delivery, including related governance.
• Monitor the effectiveness of and propose continuous improvements to Conexus service delivery quality standards.
• Lead and work with Quality Process Improvement Task Teams to propose revisions and work with lines of business to develop implementation plans to streamline and/or standardize products, services and processes across multiple LoBs.
• Oversee the Conexus Governance related to Products and Services to ensure Policies, Procedures, Standards, Instructions and Templates across the LoBs are current and consistent, and propose revisions when changes are required.
• Design and provide training to new hires and regular refreshers to current staff to ensure Conexus QA and Governance are understood and followed.
• Under the oversight of the Conexus Leadership Team, administer and track Conexus’ Continuous Improvement Program, including the self-assessment program and the review and effective use of the Condition Records (CR) Database. Such as reviewing new entries, and support for the completion of outstanding actions, and assessing the effectiveness of completed CRs prior to closure.
• Support program and project management teams to address quality-related issues and recommend mitigation strategies. Support issue resolution related to quality deviations.
• Facilitate the development of a formal Conexus document and records management and retention system.
• Act as a Single Point of Contact for external QA audits of Conexus by its participants. Coordinate response, timely action completion, and resolution to address findings resulting from external audits.
• Assist LOBs as required to ensure consistency and alignment with Conexus QMS.

The CANIAC Project Manager shall have the following authority, responsibility and accountability:

• Accountable to the Program Director, Joint Projects and Services.
• Review and maintenance of CANIAC Governance.
• Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CANIAC program.
• Review audit requests and assign audits to meet the schedule needs of participants.
• Prepare estimates for audits and seek audit commitment approvals from funding participants.
• Issue audit assignments and track audit planning activities.
• Review and approve audit plans, results, and corrective action responses.
• Monitor and assess the work of auditors during supplier audits. Review, edit and issue reports prepared by the auditors.
• Coordinate communication between the audit team, clients and suppliers as needed.
• Maintain CANIAC website with records and documents such as auditor qualification records, audit reports, corrective actions, and audit schedule.
• Maintain confidentiality and control access to CANIAC information in accordance with the CANIAC agreement and applicable Conexus policies.
• Compile and review data to report on program metrics.
• Review and approve auditor invoices.
• Prepare and submit for approval policies, procedures, standards, forms and other documents as required for the operation of the audit program.
• Interface with CANIAC Members and Steering Committee. Plan, organize and facilitate CANIAC meetings as required.
• Establish and maintain a pool of available auditors along with their certifications and qualifications. Interview potential auditors, submit hiring recommendations and prepare contracts for auditor services. Provide training in CANIAC audit methodology and procedures as appropriate.
• Provide progress updates to industry stakeholders as required.
• Represent Conexus at industry meetings or events to promote CANIAC as required.
• Maintain open communications with Supplier Participant Peer Group, CANPAC Steering Committee, OCNI, etc.
• Perform other duties pertaining to CANIAC as required.