Manager, Manufacturing Quality Assurance

• Location: Kitchener, Waterloo
• Work arrangement: Hybrid
• Full-time permanent

Ready to build the future of robotics with us?

Avidbots is growing fast and we’re looking for a passionate Manager, Manufacturing Quality Assurance to join our team. If you’re driven by innovation, excited by cutting-edge technology, and thrive in a collaborative environment, we want to hear from you!

What you’ll do:

As a QA Manager at Avidbots, you'll lead the implementation and continuous improvement of our quality systems across both internal and external operations. Your strategic oversight will ensure regulatory compliance, drive supplier integration, and safeguard product quality from manufacturing through to final assembly. Embracing a collaborative quality culture, you'll foster a "3-legged stool" approach where Supply Chain (SC), Quality Assurance (QA), and Engineering share ownership and accountability for quality outcomes, while serving as an independent monitor and auditor to evaluate effectiveness, mitigate biases, and promote continuous improvement across all areas.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Quality Management System & Policies
   1. Develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance policies, procedures, and SOPs aligned with ISO 9001, 27001, and other industry standards.
   2. Oversee documentation control, data integrity, and compliance reporting through a robust QMS, collaborating with SC and Engineering to integrate quality standards into their respective processes.
   3. Act as an independent auditor to assess the effectiveness and non-bias of quality practices owned by each functional area, providing feedback to enhance overall system resilience.
2. Internal Audits, Inspections & Process Control
   1. Plan and conduct internal audits, inspections, and testing at all production stages, ensuring alignment with shared quality goals across SC, QA, and Engineering.
   2. Utilize statistical tools such as SPC, FMEA, PPAP, APQP, and root cause analysis (e.g., 8D) to monitor and improve processes, partnering with Engineering for design-for-quality inputs and SC for supply reliability.
   3. Monitor and audit process controls for effectiveness, identifying opportunities to balance the "3-legged stool" by addressing interdependencies and reducing silos.
3. Supplier Quality Management
   1. Qualify and audit subcontractors and component suppliers for quality capabilities, compliance, and performance, co-owning this with SC to ensure seamless integration.
   2. Establish and enforce incoming inspection protocols, supplier scorecards, and corrective action processes, while collaborating with Engineering to align supplier standards with product design requirements.
   3. Serve as an impartial overseer to evaluate supplier-owned quality practices, mitigating risks such as cultural or logistical biases in overseas operations.
4. Continuous Improvement & Corrective Action
   1. Lead CAPA initiatives, track NCRs, and drive supplier and internal improvement cycles, facilitating cross-functional teams from SC, QA, and Engineering to co-develop solutions.
   2. Partner with engineering, production, and supply chain teams to reduce waste and elevate quality standards, emphasizing shared accountability in a collaborative framework.
   3. Audit the effectiveness of improvement efforts across areas, ensuring non-biased implementation and fostering a culture where quality is embedded in every function.
5. Team Leadership & Training
   1. Manage, mentor, and coach the QA team—providing training on quality standards, inspection methods, and sub-assembly oversight.
   2. Foster a culture of accountability and continuous learning across internal and external teams, including joint training sessions with SC and Engineering to build mutual understanding and shared ownership.
   3. Monitor training programs for effectiveness and impartiality, auditing to confirm they support an unbiased, organization-wide quality mindset.
6. Audits & Regulatory Engagement
   1. Serve as the company’s representative in third-party audits (ISO, CSA, regulatory agencies), coordinating with SC and Engineering for comprehensive preparation.
   2. Coordinate audit readiness, follow-up, and resolution of findings with internal and supplier partners, leveraging the "3-legged stool" model to distribute responsibilities.
   3. Provide independent oversight during audits to ensure non-bias and validate the quality culture set by functional owners.
7. Reporting & Performance Metrics
   1. Track quality KPIs (defect rate, supplier non-conformances, CAPA closure, audit results) and report insights and risks to senior management, incorporating inputs from SC and Engineering for a holistic view.
   2. Use evidence-based decision-making to support improvements and strategic actions, while auditing metrics for accuracy and freedom from departmental biases.
   3. Develop dashboards that highlight interdependencies among SC, QA, and Engineering, promoting transparency in shared quality performance.
8. Risk and Supply Chain Management
   1. Identify and mitigate risks intrinsic to overseas supply chains—including communication, logistics, and compliance challenges—through collaborative risk assessments with SC and Engineering.
   2. Ensure resilience and responsiveness in quality processes across geographic boundaries, auditing for effectiveness and integrating feedback loops.
   3. Champion a balanced approach where QA monitors overall supply chain quality while empowering SC and Engineering to own their domain-specific risks.

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related technical discipline. A Master’s is advantageous.

• Minimum 5–10 years in manufacturing QA, including at least 2–5 years in quality leadership roles. Experience in outsourcing environments and cross-functional collaboration (e.g., with SC and Engineering) is strongly preferred.

• Quality certifications such as CQE, CMQ/OE, or Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt) preferred.
• Proficient in QMS tools, ERP/EQMS systems, statistical tools, audit processes, and frameworks for collaborative quality management.

• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration capabilities, with the ability to facilitate shared ownership while maintaining independent oversight.
• Analytical mindset with detail orientation, process-driven problem-solving, and a commitment to fostering an unbiased quality culture.

Ideal Candidates will have the following:

• Demonstrate strategic leadership in QA across both local and offshore operations, integrating a "3-legged stool" model of shared accountability among SC, QA, and Engineering.
• Excel in building effective supplier relationships in globally, with an emphasis on audit discipline, quality consistency, and collaborative process improvements.
• Lead process optimization through data-driven tools and QC frameworks, while monitoring for effectiveness and non-bias.
• Empower team members through training, feedback, and professional development—whether local or remote—while promoting a hybrid culture where quality is co-owned yet independently verified.

Why you'll love working here:

• Work with innovative robotics technology that’s shaping the future of autonomous cleaning
• Grow alongside a fast-expanding company with exciting career development opportunities
• Collaborate with a global team and be part of a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive workforce
• Access comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and wellness coverage
• Thrive in a collaborative environment where your ideas and contributions truly matter

About Avidbots:

Avidbots is a leader in autonomous cleaning solutions, transforming the way commercial and industrial spaces maintain cleanliness. Our robots, including Neo 2 and Kas, combine advanced navigation and data-driven insights to deliver efficient, sustainable cleaning across industries like retail, airports, and warehouses.

***Applicants must be currently authorized to work in Canada for any employer