Quality Manager

The Quality Assurance Manager provides leadership and direction of the quality function in order to influence and assist the Service Center Manager with the implementation of the GATX Maintenance Group Strategic Initiatives.  The focus will be to manage the quality management system and its components to ensure compliance to regulatory and GATX requirements.  This position will also be responsible for the leadership of quality personnel including the Quality Assurance Supervisor, Quality Control Leads, and outbound Inspectors.

Acts as a technical liaison for investigating and resolving car issues, customer complaints, and audit findings.

This position will focus on extensive research and analysis of quality and maintenance related issues.  It is an independent, cross-functional, key position that contributes significant knowledge and influence to the GATX Maintenance Group in order to achieve our defined initiatives.  The Manager of Quality Assurance is also a key member of the Senior Leadership Team at the Red Deer facility.

1. Lead, manage, and train the development and maintenance of the quality system and all of its processes to ensure that the cars produced satisfy all given customer, regulatory, and Company requirements. Provide clear, proactive leadership to Quality Assurance Supervisor, Quality Control Leads and other direct reports that aim to create and foster timely, positive change within the Repair Center. Develop, articulate and install clear performance goals and measures, and provide timely feedback to direct reports. Work with direct reports to ensure their growth and development, including ensuring that they have the requisite skills to achieve company goals. Develop and foster a respectful and inclusive work environment.
2. Analyze and communicate customer rejects and inspection defects to all appropriate supervisors.  Coordinate and provide support to supervisors to establish and implement reduction plans based upon analysis to satisfy Maintenance Group’s Initiatives.
3. Oversee the audit process in the facility, including AAR audits, internal audits, and process audits, in order to continuously improve all aspects of the quality process.
4. Control and communicate documents pertinent to the quality system, to all affected personnel including: Quality Procedures, Fleet Maintenance Instructions, Engineering Notices, Improvement Orders, AAR Circular Letters, and Qualification records.
5. Participate on cross-functional teams to evaluate, define, and improve our processes to ensure alignment and achievement of GATX initiatives.
6. Serve as the technical liaison for researching, analyzing, and communicating on quality related issues to regulatory bodies and GATX Rail North America functions.

Education and/or Experience Required (including certifications):

• Bachelor’s degree with concentration in Engineering, Operations or related field, or Associate’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in related industry, including quality experience (TQM, ISO 9000, M1003, SPC, Preventative Maintenance programs, etc.)
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Must have successfully completed (or be able to complete in first year) one of the following: AAR Auditor Qualified Advanced Class, Excel Auditor-Internal Auditing for ISO 9001 or, ASQ Certified Auditor.
• Knowledge and experience in applying structured problem solving practices such as Kepner Tregoe/5-WHY’s and quality improvement initiatives such as Lean or Six Sigma; formal training relevant certification desired.

Key Competencies (non-technical behavioral skills, i.e. presentation, negotiation, customer service skills), in priority order.:

• Develop and foster a respectful and inclusive work environment
• Develop and mentor others
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at various levels of the organization, both verbal and written.
• Planning and Organizing
• Technical/Professional Knowledge
• Decision Making
• Computer Skill (Proficiency with MS Office Suite is required)
• Training and Leadership Ability
• Project Management

Other (i.e., physical requirements, travel, etc. that is not covered above):

• Physical ability to inspect a railcar.
• Limited travel (~10%) to GATX US and Canadian locations.