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 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 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 IRIS)
* ISO Quality Plans)
* ISO Quality in Projects)
* ISO 9004 (Organisational Maturity)
* ISO 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.