Head of Quality
2 days ago
City of London
Matchtech are working with a key client to support the recruitment of a Head of Quality – OCS to work on the HS2 project. This role is a permanent position working on a hybrid basis in London 2-3 days per week. Head of Quality OCS Key Responsibilities Quality Management System (QMS) • Ensure the Contractor’s QMS is certified to ISO 9001 and compliant with ISO/TS 22163 (IRIS), valid for the OCS scope and accepted by the Project Manager prior to commencement of works., • Maintain QMS compliance throughout the project lifecycle, including certificate renewals, surveillance audits, and scope extensions where required., • Ensure the scope of certification fully covers all OCS activities and locations., • Make QMS documentation, registers, certification records, and assurance evidence available to HS2 upon request., • Ensure laboratory testing and calibration activities are undertaken by appropriately accredited bodies (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025) where required. Quality Objectives & Risk-Based Governance • Establish and monitor risk-based quality objectives aligned to contract requirements, programme KPIs, and HS2 performance targets., • Embed “right first time” principles and continual improvement across all OCS activities., • Apply measurement system analysis (MSA) techniques to improve reliability of inspection and testing data., • Identify systemic quality risks and escalate appropriately to senior management. Quality Planning • Develop, implement, and maintain the OCS Quality Plan in accordance with:, • ISO 10005, • WI 600, • HS2 Quality Plan Requirements for Providers, • Ensure the Quality Plan covers design, installation, inspection, testing, commissioning, and handover., • Submit the Quality Plan and revisions for HS2 acceptance within contractual timescales., • Ensure quality deliverables are embedded within the Accepted Programme. Independent Quality Leadership • Act independently from delivery functions with authority to challenge activities and halt works where quality or compliance is compromised., • Provide professional and technical challenge to design, construction, and testing teams to prevent defects and nonconformities., • Promote a strong quality culture across OCS engineering, construction, and supply chain partners., • Ensure the quality function maintains an independent reporting line to director level. Design Quality Assurance (OCS) • Define, implement, and evidence robust design assurance processes for OCS works., • Oversee self-certification, design verification, technical assurance, and system certification records., • Ensure compliance with HS2 standards, interoperability requirements, railway norms, and contractual obligations., • Monitor configuration control and design change governance processes. Inspection, Testing & Commissioning • Ensure Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), surveillance plans, forms, and templates are developed and accepted prior to works commencing., • Verify witness and hold points are included within the Accepted Programme., • Ensure compliance with WI 0700 and applicable OCS testing standards., • Oversee quality assurance of commissioning and handover documentation. Information & Document Management • Ensure all quality-related deliverables are incorporated within Information Delivery Plans (IDPs)., • Monitor submissions via HS2 EDMS, ensuring correct numbering, status codes, and acceptance routes., • Maintain accurate records of accepted, approved, and informational submissions., • Ensure compliance with HS2 document management and numbering procedures. Supply Chain & Subcontractor Quality • Ensure OCS subcontractors and suppliers possess appropriate certification, competence, systems, and resources., • Plan and conduct audits of subcontractors in accordance with ISO 19011., • Maintain a rolling audit schedule covering previous and forthcoming six-month periods., • Support HS2 participation in subcontractor audits where required., • Ensure personnel certification and system certification registers are maintained and submitted as required. Plant, Materials & Traceability • Develop and maintain the Material Certification and Traceability Plan in accordance with EN 10204., • Ensure OCS materials (e.g., conductors, cantilevers, insulators, fixings) are fully traceable throughout the lifecycle., • Ensure inspection documentation is verified, approved, and traceable to installed assets., • Segregate, quarantine, and report suspect, defective, or counterfeit materials immediately to HS2. Special Processes • Identify OCS-related special processes (e.g., welding, crimping, NDT)., • Ensure special processes are managed in accordance with ISO/TS 22163 and relevant industry standards., • Verify personnel and processes are appropriately certified (e.g., ISO 3834, ISO 9712)., • Ensure competent authority approval for special processes and subcontractor submissions. Audits & Assurance • Establish and maintain a rolling quality audit schedule aligned to contract scope and risk profile., • Ensure audits are conducted by competent, IRCA-qualified auditors in accordance with ISO 19011., • Submit audit schedules and reports to HS2 in accordance with contractual requirements., • Facilitate HS2, regulatory, and third-party audits, ensuring timely closure of findings. Nonconformance, Defects & Corrective Action • Implement and manage the defect and nonconformance control process in accordance with:, • WI 600, • ISO 9001, • HS2 Non-Conformance and Corrective Action Requirements, • Lead structured root cause analysis and ensure effective corrective and preventive actions., • Monitor nonconformance trends and escalate systemic issues to senior management., • Submit Quality Performance Improvement Plans (QPIPs) where required. Quality Performance, Maturity & Continuous Improvement • Develop and implement quality improvement and lessons learned initiatives., • Conduct ISO 9004 maturity self-assessments targeting minimum Level 4 across all key elements., • Prepare and implement improvement plans where maturity gaps are identified., • Track improvement performance and report progress to management review. Business Critical Models (BCM) • Maintain an up-to-date register of Business Critical Models relevant to OCS works., • Ensure appropriate assurance, validation, and governance controls are applied., • Submit and maintain the BCM register in accordance with HS2 requirements. Reporting & Management Review • Prepare and submit monthly quality reports in accordance with HS2 reporting requirements., • Present quality performance, trends, risks, KPIs, and improvement actions at management review meetings., • Ensure quality data is accurate, transparent, and available for monitoring and measurement upon request. Competence & Experience (Essential) • Demonstrable experience leading quality management within rail systems, preferably Overhead Catenary Systems (OCS) or electrification programmes., • Proven experience operating as an independent quality authority on major infrastructure or high-speed rail projects., • Strong working knowledge and practical implementation experience of:, • ISO 9001, • ISO/TS 22163 (IRIS), • ISO 10005 (Quality Plans), • ISO 10006 (Quality in Projects), • ISO 9004 (Organisational Maturity), • ISO 19011 (Auditing Management Systems), • Experience establishing and maintaining certified QMS arrangements on complex, multi-disciplinary projects., • Experience managing quality across the full lifecycle: design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning and handover., • Competent quality auditor (IRCA or equivalent), with experience leading internal and external audits., • Demonstrable experience managing nonconformity processes, root cause analysis, corrective actions and systemic improvement programmes., • Experience overseeing material certification, traceability (EN 10204), and special process control (e.g. ISO 3834, ISO 9712)., • Experience working within regulated railway environments and engaging with assurance bodies and regulators., • Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, challenge delivery functions constructively, and operate at director level. Qualifications & Professional Membership • Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related technical discipline., • Member of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) or equivalent recognised professional body (e.g., Chartered Engineer status desirable)., • Certified Lead Auditor (IRCA or equivalent recognised body)., • Formal training in root cause analysis and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean) desirable., • Rail, electrification, or electrical systems qualifications desirable.
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