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.