Quality Manager - Utilities
3 days ago
Manchester
Quality Manager – Utilities & Infrastructure\n\nJob Summary\n\nResponsible for promoting, leading, and embedding quality best practice across utility and infrastructure projects, ensuring delivery is right first time and meets client, regulatory, and business requirements.\n\nLead quality assurance activities across a portfolio of projects, supporting operational teams in the effective implementation of quality standards, inspection processes, testing requirements, evidence capture, compliance, and continual improvement initiatives.\n\nThis is a site-facing role focused on quality management throughout the project lifecycle, including excavation, service protection, installation, inspection, testing, commissioning, reinstatement, defect management, and project handover. The role operates primarily within ISO 9001 quality management principles while maintaining awareness of environmental, health and safety, client, and industry-specific requirements.\n\nPrincipal Responsibilities\n\nHealth & Safety\n\nPromote safe working practices and quality-driven safety awareness across all activities.\n\nAdhere to health, safety, and environmental procedures during site visits, audits, and project support activities.\n\nLead by example in promoting safe behaviours and compliance standards.\n\nSupport project teams in identifying quality issues that could create operational, safety, or service risks.\n\nEnsure quality assurance activities contribute to the safe and effective delivery of projects.\n\nClient & Stakeholder Management\n\nBuild and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, suppliers, and project teams.\n\nAct as a senior point of contact for project quality matters.\n\nProvide guidance on quality standards, specifications, contractual requirements, and compliance obligations.\n\nSupport project teams in the preparation and management of inspection records, test documentation, commissioning records, completion packs, and handover documentation.\n\nEnsure project documentation is complete, compliant, and delivered in accordance with client requirements.\n\nSupport the resolution of quality concerns and client issues.\n\nLeadership & Team Development\n\nProvide leadership, coaching, and support to project teams on quality-related matters.\n\nPromote consistency in the application of quality standards and procedures across projects.\n\nSupport the development of quality personnel and those involved in quality assurance activities.\n\nEncourage proactive reporting of defects, non-conformances, quality concerns, and opportunities for improvement.\n\nWork collaboratively with operational, engineering, commercial, procurement, and support teams to resolve quality issues efficiently.\n\nQuality Assurance & Compliance\n\nChampion a culture of quality excellence and right-first-time delivery.\n\nLead investigations into defects, non-conformances, and quality concerns.\n\nConduct root cause analysis and support the implementation of corrective and preventative actions.\n\nMonitor quality performance indicators and identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.\n\nMaintain confidentiality when handling sensitive commercial, client, or employee information.\n\nPrepare quality reports and provide regular updates to senior management.\n\nOperational Excellence\n\nPlan and undertake project audits, inspections, and quality reviews.\n\nAssess compliance with project specifications, quality plans, industry standards, and management system requirements.\n\nReview project documentation, including quality plans, inspection and test plans, commissioning records, as-built information, handover packs, and supplier submissions.\n\nIdentify process weaknesses and opportunities for improvement through audits and project engagement.\n\nSupport continual improvement initiatives aimed at strengthening quality culture, delivery standards, and project outcomes.\n\nContinuous Improvement & Sustainability\n\nSupport the ongoing development and effectiveness of management systems.\n\nContribute to continual improvement programmes through the identification and implementation of best practices.\n\nAssist with quality input into tender submissions and pre-construction activities where required.\n\nSupport internal, external, client, and certification audits.\n\nPromote long-term improvements in quality performance and assurance capability.\n\nSupport environmental and sustainability objectives where they interface with project quality, material traceability, waste management, and project handover requirements.\n\nPerson Specification\n\nQualifications & Experience\n\nHNC, Level 4 qualification, Degree, or equivalent experience in Quality Management, Civil Engineering, Construction, Utilities, or a related discipline.\n\nISO 9001 Internal Auditor qualification.\n\nLead Auditor qualification desirable.\n\nProfessional quality management membership or chartered status desirable.\n\nCSCS Card or equivalent site access qualification.\n\nStrong Microsoft Office and digital reporting skills.\n\nExperience within utilities, infrastructure, civil engineering, or regulated construction environments.\n\nProven experience leading or coordinating quality assurance activities across multiple live projects.\n\nExperience supporting excavation, installation, testing, commissioning, reinstatement, defect management, and project handover activities.\n\nExperience developing, reviewing, and assuring quality plans, inspection records, test documentation, completion packs, and handover evidence.\n\nSkills & Knowledge\n\nStrong understanding of ISO 9001 quality management systems.\n\nAwareness of environmental and occupational health & safety management systems.\n\nKnowledge of utilities, infrastructure, or civil engineering project delivery.\n\nUnderstanding of quality risks associated with excavation, buried services, service protection, testing, commissioning, reinstatement, and asset handover.\n\nAbility to interpret specifications and translate requirements into effective site controls.\n\nKnowledge of street works, utility accreditations, and industry standards desirable.\n\nExperience conducting audits and producing detailed reports.\n\nAbility to analyse quality data, identify trends, and implement improvements.\n\nStrong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.\n\nExperience delivering training sessions, briefings, and toolbox talks.\n\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills.\n\nStrong analytical and problem-solving abilities.\n\nAbility to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards.\n\nPersonal Attributes\n\nStrong commitment to health, safety, environmental, and quality excellence.\n\nPositive, proactive, and solution-focused approach.\n\nPractical and site-oriented mindset.\n\nStrong team player with the ability to lead and influence others.\n\nHonest, reliable, and professional.\n\nDiplomatic and effective when dealing with stakeholders at all levels.\n\nCommitted to continuous improvement and business success.\n\nAdaptable and responsive to changing priorities.\n\nAmbitious and motivated to develop professionally