Quality Management System (QMS) Lead in Toronto

NWI Precision specializes in high-precision machining of helicopter masts, turbine shafts, engine thrust links, and nuclear pressure vessel components used in the aerospace and nuclear industries worldwide. NWI Precision’s 120,000 sq. ft. facility is located at 9 Fenmar Drive in Toronto. Our dedicated team prides themselves on delivering the highest quality products, to specifications and on time.

The QMS Lead drives measurable and sustained improvements across Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, the Quality Management System, and supporting functions. The role identifies improvement opportunities, prioritizes projects, and leads cross-functional teams to reduce waste, nonconformances, and the cost of poor quality while improving productivity, process efficiency, safety, and delivery performance.

Using Lean, Six Sigma, data analysis, and structured problem-solving, the QMS Lead turns business priorities into practical process improvements. The role advances digital transformation, develops employee capability, and embeds improved practices into daily operations and QMS documentation while maintaining applicable aerospace, nuclear, customer, and regulatory requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain a site-wide continuous improvement roadmap, prioritizing projects against business objectives, performance gaps, risks, and available resources.
• Lead Lean and Six Sigma projects from opportunity identification through implementation and benefit verification, with clear ownership and measurable outcomes.
• Define project charters covering the problem, scope, baseline performance, objectives, responsibilities, schedule, resources, risks, and success criteria.
• Conduct regular Gemba walks and engage employees and process owners to identify waste, bottlenecks, recurring issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Facilitate value stream mapping, Kaizen events, 5S, standard work, visual management, line balancing, and setup-time reduction to improve process flow and efficiency.
• Apply A3, DMAIC, 5-Why, fishbone analysis, Pareto analysis, and 8D methods to address systemic causes of nonconformances, scrap, rework, downtime, and process variation.
• Work with Engineering and Operations to improve manufacturing methods, tooling, layouts, material flow, equipment utilization, and workplace organization.
• Lead improvement initiatives supporting new-product introduction, capacity planning, process transfers, and production ramp-up.
• Support supplier performance improvements with Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Engineering, and Operations.
• Identify and implement workflow automation and digital improvements that reduce manual effort and improve the use of ERP, QMS, and manufacturing data.

Performance measurement and sustainment

• Develop and maintain a continuous improvement dashboard covering productivity, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), first-pass yield, cycle time, throughput, downtime, scrap, rework, cost of poor quality, on-time delivery, Kaizen activities, and verified savings.
• Analyze performance trends, process variation, and capacity constraints to select improvement priorities.
• Validate operational and financial benefits with Finance and process owners using baseline and post-implementation data.
• Work with Quality and process owners to strengthen corrective actions and incorporate approved improvements into process flows, PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, inspection methods, and standard work.
• Establish sustainment plans, layered process audits, and follow-up reviews to confirm effectiveness and prevent regression.
• Train and coach employees, supervisors, engineers, and process owners in Lean, structured problem-solving, and continuous improvement methods; encourage employee participation and support adoption of changes.
• Ensure process changes follow applicable change-control, configuration-control, and customer-approval requirements and preserve product safety, quality, traceability, and regulatory compliance.
• Report project progress, results, risks, resource needs, and barriers to leadership. Complete other assigned projects and responsibilities.

EXPECTATIONS

• Establish measurable annual improvement targets aligned with business priorities and deliver projects within approved scope, schedule, and budget.
• Demonstrate sustained reductions in nonconformances, scrap, rework, operating costs, and cost of poor quality, supported by verified results.
• Improve productivity, process efficiency, equipment utilization, lead time, and delivery performance against agreed baselines.
• Advance digital transformation through practical improvements to workflows, data quality, reporting, and system use.
• Work with process owners to keep QMS documentation aligned with approved operating practices and retain objective evidence for internal, customer, and regulatory audits.
• Maintain an active shop-floor presence, collaborate across departments, and verify that improvements remain effective through scheduled reviews.
• Communicate progress promptly and elevate resource constraints, delayed actions, and risks that could affect delivery or sustainment.
• Be punctual and prepared for work. Plan vacation, personal time, and absences in accordance with company policy and operational needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Materials, or Systems Engineering; Operations Management; or a related discipline.
• Project Management Professional certification, equivalent project-management training, and ASQ certifications such as CQE, CMQ/OE, or CQA are assets.

Experience and knowledge

• Minimum five years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, quality, operations, or operational excellence, including at least three years leading Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement projects.
• Demonstrated improvements in productivity, quality, cost, lead time, and delivery, with experience monitoring KPIs and validating project benefits.
• Knowledge of machining and special processes, and experience auditing processes or quality management systems.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 or AS9100 requirements. Knowledge of CSA N286, CSA N299, or other applicable nuclear quality requirements is an asset.
• Experience in aerospace, nuclear, defence, automotive, medical-device, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing outcomes without direct reporting authority.

Skills

• Lean and Six Sigma methods, including value stream mapping, Kaizen, 5S, standard work, visual management, single-minute exchange of die (SMED), total productive maintenance (TPM), line balancing, and waste reduction.
• Structured problem-solving using A3, DMAIC, 5-Why, fishbone analysis, Pareto analysis, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), and 8D.
• Statistical process control, process capability analysis, hypothesis testing, design of experiments, and measurement system analysis.
• Process-flow development, process FMEA (PFMEA), control plans, risk mitigation, capacity and constraint analysis, and cost-of-quality analysis.
• Project management, change management, benefit verification, facilitation, training, coaching, and presentations.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills. Experience with Power BI, Tableau, Minitab, or similar tools is preferred; experience with ERP, QMS, or manufacturing-data systems is an asset.

Abilities

• Translate operational data into clear priorities and practical actions that address systemic causes.
• Lead and influence teams at all organizational levels, challenge existing practices constructively, and support employees through change.
• Manage competing projects and priorities while balancing improvement goals with product quality, customer requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Communicate clearly, build productive relationships with employees, leadership, customers, and suppliers, and work effectively in office and shop-floor environments.
• Demonstrate sound analytical judgment, attention to detail, accountability, and consistent follow-through.