DESCRIPTION

As an experienced and proactive Quality Manager you will lead and manage quality assurance across our Utilities Infrastructure and Traffic Management/Highways, Agriculture and Fencing operations. You will be a key member of the HSEQ and business leadership team, responsible for ensuring that all works are delivered in full compliance with internal processes, client specifications, and national standards.
This role is critical in driving a quality-first culture across Group and contract operations, delivering right-first-time outcomes, and ensuring continual improvement. You will collaborate closely with contract teams, clients, and external auditors to maintain our reputation for excellence in quality performance.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

• Proven experience in a Quality Manager or Senior Quality role within highways, utili-ties, or construction environments.
• Level 4 Quality Assurance or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and experience with sector-specific standards such as NHSS 12, NHSS 18, ISO 44001.
• Strong understanding of client frameworks, statutory regulations, and performance metrics in the highways and utilities sector.
• Skilled in managing and conducting internal and external audits.
• Demonstrated ability to lead incident investigations and quality reviews.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication and report-writing skills.
• Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 9001).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and relevant data/reporting software.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with ISO standards and collaborative working standards.
• Experience working on National Highways or DNO contracts.
• Quality or engineering-related degree or professional qualification (e.g., CQI member-ship).

• Oversee and co-ordinate the development and management of the Quality Manage-ment System (QMS) to meet the requirements of ISO 9001 and relevant sector schemes including NHSS 12, NHSS 18 and ISO 44001.
• Ensure all projects comply with client-specific quality requirements and contractual ob-ligations.
• Establish and oversee robust quality control and assurance processes for works un-dertaken within the utilities and highways sectors.
• Lead regular internal audits and inspections across contracts to monitor adherence to standards and identify areas for improvement.
• Facilitate external audits and ensure readiness and compliance with certification bod-ies, regulators, and client quality audits.
• Oversee the coordination, monitoring and effective closeout of quality non conform-ances.
• Work collaboratively with operations and HSEQ teams to promote best practice, con-tinuous improvement, and lessons learned.
• Identify root causes of quality issues and non-conformances and oversee the devel-opment and implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Provide training, coaching and awareness to operational teams and subcontractors on quality standards and expectations.
• Maintain and analyse quality performance data to produce monthly reports, highlight trends, and recommend improvements to senior leadership and clients.
• Support pre-construction and delivery teams with the review and approval of quality plans, inspection and test plans (ITPs), and handover documentation.
• Ensure documentation and record-keeping processes support traceability, accountabil-ity and auditability across the project lifecycle.
• Represent the business in client meetings, quality forums, and industry working groups where required.