Operational Excellence Manager

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (DHC) is a storied name in the aerospace industry, recognized worldwide for its pioneering contributions to aviation and its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability. Headquartered in Calgary, AB, DHC currently has approximately 1,400 employees across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, as well as in markets and distribution hubs world-wide.

Established in 1928, De Havilland Canada has a rich history marked by the development of some of the most iconic and versatile aircraft ever built. These aircraft have served a variety of roles—from bush flying to commercial aviation—and are celebrated for their rugged durability, operational versatility, and excellence in performance.

Over the decades, De Havilland Canada has evolved to meet the changing needs of the aviation industry. Today, we are more than just an aircraft manufacturer; we are a comprehensive aerospace company with capabilities that span design, production, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Our operations are supported by a team of skilled engineers, technicians, and industry professionals who are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of craftsmanship and innovation.

Position Profile

We are currently recruiting an Operations Excellence Manager to join our team in Calgary, AB.

The Operations Excellence Manager carries the responsibility of identifying, escalating, and mitigating risks related to our compliance and Training program. This is achieved through education, partnerships, monitoring, successful audit, customers audits, client audits, government and regulatory audits, and third-party registration audits to the various standards to which organization is certified. Their role also includes championing and promoting our culture of regulatory compliance to the Federal, Provincial, and local regulations regarding the Dangerous goods, environment, health & safety.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordination of Training activities. Coordinate and support De Havilland Compliance, Products with quality matters (Aerospace)
• Subject matter expertise for Compliance, Quality, Safety Health, Environment, and Security matters.
• Performance of self-audits for compliance.
• The hosting of audits by Customers, third parties or Government agencies Implementation coordination and responsibility for new/revised standards and procedures. Communication and re-communication within the branch(es) /location(s) of relevant subject matter related to compliance
• Interpret and communicate regulations, policies, and procedures related to aerospace industry.
• Maintain current knowledge base of existing and emerging regulations, standards, guidance, and best practices and assess impact to company activities
• Assist with the aerospace license process, including completing and submitting applications to new and current jurisdictions
• Experience related to regulations in transportations of dangerous good by air
• Experience related to the Federal, Provincial and local regulations regarding the Dangerous goods, environment, health & safety
• Recommend changes to procedures in response to changes in regulations or standards
• Develop policies and tools to regulatory compliance and provide feedback to third parties
• Provide accurate technical review of data or reports
• Serve as liaison between internal and external customers, regulators, and advisors, to clarify and resolve issues
• Assist with maintaining internal records, databases, and filing systems
• Assist with and/or manage projects as needed
• Assign, co-ordinate and review projects and programs.
• Manage training and development strategies
  
  
  

Specific Tasks

• Drives compliance improvement through the monitoring and testing of compliance programs, controls, and systems by conducting De Havilland and Canada compliance assessments across the Company. Aligns with other assurance providers (Internal Audit, Ethics, Global /Corporate Investigations, 3P Service Providers, etc.) to ensure alignment and coverage of assurance services across the business.
• Leverages facility visits and multiple data sources to identify and escalate compliance program gaps and opportunities to mitigate risk.
• Drives compliance and safety across the business areas, collaborating with subject matter experts and operations stakeholders. Educates facilities and field associates within the business on new and existing compliance obligations, provides potential solutions for identified compliance issues, and guides various local unit location leadership in the development and execution of action plans.
• Delivers compliance training and awareness at Regional and Market level pertaining to topics such as (i) Health & Safety/Fire Code; (ii) Environmental; (iii) Health & Wellness; (iv) product/services compliance including Product Safety, Consumer Protection, and Licenses and Permits; (v) Privacy/Employment; (vi) Anti-Money Laundering.
• Creates executive level reporting tied to the outcome of monitoring and testing activities performed including the oversight of remediation plans
• Prepares and delivers Regional operational compliance reports and insights. Champions tone at the top and a culture of compliance through communication, recognition, training, and awareness.
• Partners with leadership and stakeholders to support compliance initiatives, regulatory contact resolution, hyper-care efforts, and emergency response
• Designs, develops, implements, and oversees compliance programs such as Right Start, Ethics and Compliance Champion, and Integrity Ambassador.
  
  
  

Education & Experience

Professional experience required:

• Previous experience conducting regulatory compliance and interpreting regulations pertaining to aerospace.
• Preferred minimum 3 year in a similar position
  
  
  

Knowledge required:

• AS/EN9100 certification is required. Prior experience in Aerospace Warehousing is preferred.
• Good parts serialization with traceability type certification.
• Familiarity with AS/ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001 standards preferred.
• Proficient MS Office (Word / Excel / PowerPoint / Outlook)
• Knowledge of QSHE Tools’ preferred
  
  
  

Education required:

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree required, with a preference for Engineering
• CIFFA Certification in IATA regulations
• Certification in Dangerous Good
• 10 years’ experience in regulatory or Client compliance.
• Previous experience conducting regulatory compliance and interpreting regulations pertaining to aerospace.
• 10 + years’ experience in training in regulatory compliance.
  
  
  

Skills

• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to effectively handle multiple, simultaneous tasks.
• Demonstrates strong networking and interpersonal skills and professionalism to deal with all levels of personnel
• Demonstrates ability developing and using relationships to facilitate accomplishment of goals
• Must have good problem-solving skills and be able to quickly identify, define and resolve problems
• Very organized / Methodical; Able to give directives, set goals and ensure execution
• Critical / Analytic / Objective
• Self-starter / Pro active
• Approachable, Ability to work effectively in a high-pressure environment
  
  
  

At De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC), we are committed to protecting our people, customers, shareholders and the public through Health & Safety Excellence. As such, it is expected that all employees maintain strict adherence to Health & Safety Policies and to perform key physical tasks of the position described in the job description and interview process. This may include but is not limited to the ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions including temperature extremes, confined spaces, working at heights and with or around chemicals. Employees are expected to adhere to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when at work which must include but is not limited to the ability to maintain a positive fit test when mask use is required.

At De Havilland Canada, we aim to be inclusive and diverse and provide equal opportunity for employment. All qualified applicants, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability, are encouraged to apply. De Havilland will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise your Talent Acquisition representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Any offer of employment is conditional on the completion of positive and satisfactory background checks, which may include, proof that you are legally entitled to work in Canada, professional references, verification of employment history, verification of educational background and criminal background checks.