Quality Manager in Manchester

As our Quality Manager - Utilities you will be responsible for promoting, leading and embedding good quality practice throughout the Utilities business and ensuring that our projects deliver right first time. The Quality Manager will lead quality assurance activity across an allocated portfolio of utilities projects, support the business to ensure that the company HSQE Management Systems remain effective in practice, and provide clear leadership on quality standards, quality compliance, evidence capture and continual improvement. The role is site-facing and operational, with responsibility for supporting project teams in the effective implementation of quality requirements across utilities works, including excavation, service protection, installation, inspection, testing, commissioning, reinstatement, defect management and handover documentation. The role will work primarily within ISO 9001, while maintaining working awareness of ISO 14001, ISO 45001, utilities client specifications, accreditation requirements and relevant sector requirements where they interface with project delivery.

Principal accountabilities

• SAFETY
  • Promote good safety awareness and best practice in all work activities.
  • Follow health and safety procedures and meet Bethell expectations for safety standards at all times.
  • Observe site safety rules and adhere to them during all site visits, audits and support activities.
  • Ensure PPE is maintained and used appropriately.
  • Lead by example in promoting safe behaviours during all utilities quality activities.
  • Support project teams in identifying quality issues that may also create safety or service-risk concerns.
• CUSTOMER
  • Maintain strong working relationships with clients and the supply chain, acting as a senior quality point of contact for project-related quality matters across the Utilities business.
  • Advise project teams on relevant quality standards, client requirements, framework obligations and contractual expectations.
  • Provide assurance and guidance in relation to project quality documentation, inspection requirements, test records, commissioning records, completion packs and handover deliverables.
  • Support compliance with utilities client requirements, including asset records, as-built information, inspection evidence, test certificates, material approvals, calibration records and photographic evidence.
  • Escalate significant client-facing quality concerns where necessary and support their effective resolution.
• PEOPLE
  • Lead and support project teams on quality matters and help them discharge their responsibilities effectively.
  • Provide visible quality leadership across utilities projects, coaching, advising and guiding project teams in the practical implementation of quality requirements on site.
  • Support and develop Quality Advisors and other personnel involved in quality assurance activity within the Utilities business.
  • Encourage effective upward communication to support the reporting of defective work, nonconformances, quality concerns, process gaps and recurring delivery issues.
  • Work collaboratively with operational teams, engineers, supervisors, works managers, commercial teams, HSQE, procurement, plant and wider support functions to resolve quality issues quickly and effectively.
• INTEGRITY
  • Be a strong role model for Quality and actively promote high standards and right first time delivery across the Utilities business.
  • Ensure nonconformances, observations, defects and opportunities for improvement are identified, recorded and processed in accordance with company processes.
  • Lead robust root cause analysis and support effective implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
  • Monitor and report on recurring quality issues, delivery trends and quality KPIs to the Quality & Compliance Manager.
  • Exercise appropriate discretion in relation to confidential, sensitive, commercial, employee or client information.
• EXCELLENCE
  • Lead by example and promote best practice across all allocated utilities projects.
  • Act as an advocate for Quality and support project teams in continuous improvement to achieve high standards for our clients.
  • Plan, carry out and oversee project and system audit activity within the Utilities business to assess compliance with company standards, client requirements, project specifications and ISO 9001 requirements.
  • Identify delivery issues, weak processes and incomplete controls through support visits, audit activity and project engagement.
• SUSTAINABLE
  • Support the ongoing maintenance and effectiveness of the business management system by feeding back issues, trends and improvement opportunities identified through utilities project activity and audits.
  • Assist with producing responses to tender submissions where utilities or quality input is required.
  • Lead internal audits within the Utilities business and support readiness for client, certification and external assurance activity.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified to a minimum of Level 4 / HNC level in Quality, Civil Engineering, Construction, Utilities or a quality-related subject, or able to demonstrate equivalent practical experience.
• ISO 9001 Internal Auditor qualification is essential.
• Lead Auditor qualification is desirable.
• Practitioner or Chartered Member of CQI is desirable.
• CSCS Card.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 and Teams.
• Demonstrable experience within a civil engineering, infrastructure, utilities or regulated construction environment.
• Experience developing, reviewing or assuring Quality Plans, ITPs, inspection records, test records, completion packs and handover evidence.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 is essential, with awareness of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 requirements.
• Knowledge of utilities quality risks, including buried services, permits to dig, service protection, excavation controls, reinstatement, testing, commissioning, material compliance and handover evidence.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships at all levels within the business.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Personal Qualities

• Positive commitment to health and safety, quality and environmental practices.
• Good communication skills.
• A team player who can integrate well with project teams while providing clear leadership and direction.
• Committed to business success and continual improvement.

Location: Manchester