IPEX is one of North America’s leading providers of advanced plastic piping systems. Our mission is to shape a better tomorrow by connecting people with water and energy.
We currently have an exciting opportunity as a Director, Codes, Standards & Regulatory Affairs. This role is based is a hybrid in office Oakville, Ontario and reports to the Vice President, Transformation Office.
Do not miss the opportunity to join a diverse group of people-centric professionals, thought leaders, and rapid thinkers—entrepreneurs in spirit and status quo‑fighters.
Job Summary:
The Director, Codes, Standards & Regulatory Affairs – North America is responsible for developing and leading IPEX’s strategy across building, plumbing/mechanical, municipal, electrical and other relevant codes, product standards and regulatory matters across Canada and the United States.
As IPEX’s senior representative in the codes and standards community, the Director will proactively shape the external technical and regulatory environment to protect the existing business, enable innovation and support future growth. The role will anticipate changes affecting IPEX products and markets, influence the development of codes and standards, and help establish pathways to market for new products, applications and technologies.
The Director will lead the North American Codes & Standards function, with two direct reports: Senior Manager, Codes & Standards – Canada and Senior Manager, Codes & Standards – United States.
Principal Responsibilities
- Develop and lead IPEX’s North American Codes, Standards & Regulatory strategy, establishing priorities based on business risk, growth opportunities, innovation priorities and emerging market needs.
- Represent and advocate for IPEX with key codes and standards organizations, regulators, industry associations, testing agencies and certification bodies.
- Lead IPEX positions on proposed code changes, standards revisions and regulatory matters that could affect market access, competitiveness or growth.
- Create and circulate reports about significant events from each Code or Standards Committee meeting to inform relevant parties at IPEX
- Collaborate with technical peers in Sales and Product Management and upper management when required to create strategies for upcoming Code committee activities and actions such as initiating or responding to Code Change Requests or proposed product standard revisions
- Monitor activities of plastic piping competitors and other non-plastic piping manufacturers in the Codes and Standards committees and ensure all actions are technically challenged where necessary in order to not permit any gain of unfair advantages nor to restrict sales growth of IPEX products
- Proactively monitor regulatory, competitive, material-substitution and technology developments and translate them into clear business risks, opportunities and recommended actions.
- Partner with Product Management, Innovation, Sales, Technical and Product Compliance to identify codes and standards requirements early and remove barriers to commercialization and adoption of new products and applications.
- Build and maintain influential relationships across the codes, standards and regulatory community, strengthening IPEX’s external credibility and ability to shape outcomes.
- Lead the North American Codes & Standards team, including the Senior Managers for Canada and the U.S., establishing clear country-level priorities while maintaining alignment to the overall North American strategy.
- Coordinate with Corporate Quality/Product Compliance and internal technical experts to ensure effective coverage of priority standards, committees and regulatory activities.
- Provide senior and executive leadership with clear, timely perspectives on significant codes and standards developments and their potential commercial impact.
- Build organizational capability and succession depth through coaching, development and transfer of technical knowledge and industry relationships.
- Act as a Code expert to assist colleagues at IPEX in Code interpretations
Measures of Success
- IPEX anticipates and influences significant codes and standards developments rather than reacting to them.
- Market access for existing products and applications is effectively protected.
- Codes, standards and regulatory requirements are addressed earlier in the innovation and commercialization process.
- Regulatory and technical barriers to priority growth opportunities are proactively addressed.
- IPEX strengthens its influence and credibility within key North American codes, standards and regulatory organizations.
- A strong, coordinated North American Codes & Standards capability is developed across the Canada and U.S. teams.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or another relevant technical discipline;
- Professional Engineer (P.Eng./PE) designation strongly preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in codes, standards, regulatory affairs, product compliance or related technical roles, preferably within piping, building products, construction or infrastructure.
- Significant experience participating in and influencing North American codes and standards organizations, committees or task groups.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical and regulatory matters into commercial and strategic implications.
- Experience leading technical professionals and working effectively across a matrixed organization.
- English required; French and/or Spanish considered an asset.
IPEX is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and, upon request, will work with qualified job applicants to provide suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability. Accommodation requests are available to candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process for IPEX jobs. To request an accommodation, please contact HR at [email protected].
