Associate Director - Quality Management System Services

Please note this role will work in a hybrid environment. The successful candidate must be located near a Canadian Blood Services site and will be working a mixture of on-site and off-site work based on the parameters for our operations to meet the needs of our donors, our staff and our communities. Currently, employees are expected to have an in-person presence for at least 40% of their work time. This requirement may vary depending upon circumstances.

Job category: Quality and regulatory affairs
Job posting ID: 6961

​Employment status: Regular full-time
 

Classification: PTS/MGT/IT B
Salary/Rate of pay: $127,250 to $143,538

Application deadline: 2025-03-17 
Application requirements:

• Your up-to-date resume.
• We recommend you save a copy of the job posting for reference throughout the recruitment process.

Do you currently work for Canadian Blood Services? All employees must apply via the internal career page.

 Together, we can make all the difference in the lives of others.

Be part of a dynamic, collaborative and caring organization committed to saving and improving lives. Thousands of patients depend on us every day for reliable access to safe blood, plasma, stem cells and organs and tissues. 

If you are looking for a rewarding experience with a values and mission-driven team, join Canada’s Lifeline and make a meaningful difference.

We acknowledge that the work of Canadian Blood Services spans many Territories and Treaty areas across the country, and we are grateful for the Traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who have guided us in this important work. We recognize the land and waters that have inspired our work and offer gratitude to those Indigenous peoples on whose territory we work, live and play.

About The Role

Canadian Blood Services is looking for a Regular Full-time Director Associate - Quality Management System Services to join our dynamic Quality and Regulatory Affairs Team. The work of Associate Director, Quality Management Processes is integral to Canadian Blood Services’ role as Canada’s Biological Lifeline. 
 

As a member of Canadian Blood Services, furthers the Mission, Vision, Values and objectives of Canadian Blood Services in the delivery of products, processes and services that meet or exceed customers’ expectations in accordance with Canadian Blood Services’ Management System. 

Serving as a strong leader and a trusted advisor to the Director, Quality Management System, the quality and regulatory affairs senior management team, and other key internal and external stakeholders, the Associate Director plays a critical role in ensuring the achievement of continuous improvement by directing the deployment of the corrective and preventive action (CAPA) program across the organization, leading the operational excellence program across the division, and providing leadership oversight of the quality and regulatory affairs division’s portfolio of continuous improvement initiatives and projects. 

You will develop and maintain strong, positive and effective day-to-day working relationships with members of the all organizational divisional management teams both in the head office and all regions.

This role reports into the Director of Quality Management System. 

Formula for success

• Using your strong business management skills, drive strategic business objectives by leading operational excellence and change initiatives. You manage project portfolios, address obstacles, and ensure resource alignment, all while maintaining strict adherence to quality and safety standards. This role requires your active involvement in collaborative planning, proactive problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring the division's goals are met efficiently and effectively.
• Leveraging your expertise in operational excellence, spearhead the division's operational excellence program, driving its deployment and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. They educate and coach senior management, act as a change agent, and support the development of improvement plans. Responsibilities include gathering performance metrics, escalating issues, and collaborating with the supply chain team to refine program strategies and tools.
• Utilizing your knowledge of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) approach, lead the organization's corrective and preventive action (CAPA) program, driving continuous improvement across all divisions. As a leader, you direct the CAPA team, collaborate with business leaders to ensure timely action, and monitor program performance, providing recommendations to executive management, all while educating management teams on improvement strategies, and work to refine the CAPA process for optimal efficiency.
• Drawing on your team leadership skills, build and manage effective teams, setting objectives, monitoring performance, and providing feedback and training. Ensuring client focus and exemplary customer service is paramount, alongside efficient resource allocation and continuous improvement of departmental procedures. This role requires you to balance new initiatives with existing staffing levels while upholding corporate values.
• You emphasise cross-divisional collaboration, building strong stakeholder relationships to understand needs, gather feedback, and align work with business objectives. By fostering cooperative partnerships and facilitating knowledge sharing, you ensure that required activities are effectively supported across the organization.

Desired education and skills

• Post-secondary level education in industrial engineering or a closely related field is required. 
• Lean and/or Six Sigma Black belt certification or equivalent experience. 
• Ten (10) years of experience within a manufacturing or pharmaceutical environment with at least five (5) years of Continuous Improvement /Engineering experience. 
• Proven experience implementing process improvements on the shop floor, combined with the ability to explain it in simple terms to frontline staff. Experience with waste reduction, standardized work, one-piece flow, just in time production, and 5s. 
• Strong financial and business acumen skills. 
• Excellent leadership skills and business advisory skills are required. 
• Ability to analyse complex problems, interpret business needs, and develop integrated, innovative solutions. 
• Demonstrated time management skills with the ability to manage tight timelines and meet deadlines. 
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking skills and innovation in problem solving and decision

What we offer you

• 4 weeks’ vacation
• Annual performance award up to 10%
• Comprehensive group health, dental and vision benefits for you and your family
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Employee discounts, wellness program, professional resource

 
What you can expect

• This role will work in a hybrid environment with requirements to be onsite at a Canadian Blood Services location at least 40% of the time/days of the week.
• Travel requirement – occasional travel across CBS sites, 3-5 trips a year will be required.

Diversity and inclusion play a vital role in ensuring health equity for patients across Canada. We are committed to reflecting Canada’s population in our organization and fostering an environment where all employees can be their authentic selves, with equal opportunities to succeed and contribute.  

If this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply by providing your up-to-date resume. This could be your first step towards a meaningful and inspiring career. Come to work each day knowing that you save lives. 

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those considered for an interview or those invited to participate in an assessment will be contacted. Emails are sent directly from our system, to ensure you receive them please add donotreply@blood.ca and system@successfactors.com to your safe senders list. 

Applicants who require accommodation should discuss their needs with us.

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