Senior QA/QC Manager

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior QA/QC Manager to lead and oversee all Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) functions for a major EPC/Construction project. As the highest authority on quality within the project, you will be responsible for establishing, implementing, and continuously enhancing the Project Quality Management System (QMS) from project mobilization through to commissioning and final handover. This critical role demands a proactive leader who can drive a culture of excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement while ensuring alignment with project specifications, contractual obligations, and international standards.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior QA/QC Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality project by overseeing the following core responsibilities:

• Quality Leadership:
  • Lead and manage the Project Quality Management System (QMS) throughout the entire project lifecycle.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain the Project Quality Plan (PQP), Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs), Quality Control Procedures, and project-specific quality objectives.
  • Establish project quality Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), quality reporting dashboards, and robust document control processes to ensure transparency and accountability.
  • Foster a proactive quality culture focused on prevention, regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and client satisfaction.
• Engineering & Procurement Oversight:
  • Review engineering deliverables and technical submittals to ensure strict adherence to project specifications, contractual requirements, applicable codes, and international standards.
  • Evaluate and approve supplier quality plans, inspection procedures, and quality requirements within procurement packages to mitigate risks.
  • Lead qualification audits and surveillance activities for suppliers, vendors, fabricators, and laboratories to ensure compliance with approved standards.
  • Ensure materials meet approved specifications through rigorous inspections, testing requirements, and Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT).
• Construction & Site Quality Management:
  • Direct all Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities during construction and installation phases.
  • Oversee inspections, testing, laboratory operations, material approvals, third-party inspections, and quality surveillance to maintain high standards.
  • Conduct weekly quality coordination meetings with project stakeholders, including management, consultants, clients, subcontractors, and discipline leads, to align on quality objectives.
  • Manage Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to ensure timely resolution and prevent recurrence.
  • Exercise authority to halt non-conforming work when quality or safety is compromised and authorize work resumption only after critical inspection hold points are successfully completed.
• Commissioning & Project Handover:
  • Verify construction completion prior to commissioning to ensure all quality criteria are met.
  • Lead punch list management and quality close-out activities to ensure all deficiencies are addressed.
  • Oversee the preparation of a comprehensive turnover package, including as-built drawings, inspection and test records, material certificates, calibration certificates, O&M manuals, warranties, and regulatory approvals.
  • Coordinate client inspections and secure final acceptance to facilitate a successful project handover.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Monitor quality performance through KPIs, trend analysis, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) reporting to identify areas for improvement.
  • Lead internal quality audits and support external audits to ensure ongoing compliance and identify opportunities for enhancement.
  • Conduct Root Cause Analysis using methodologies such as 5 Whys, Fishbone (Ishikawa), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Statistical Process Control (SPC) to address systemic issues.
  • Develop and deliver quality training programs, mentoring initiatives, and lessons learned workshops to strengthen organizational capability and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

To excel in this role, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 20 years of post-graduate experience in construction, infrastructure, or EPC projects.
• At least 5 years of experience in a senior Quality Management leadership role on large-scale projects valued at USD 100 million or more.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing Project Quality Plans, Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs), Quality Management Systems, and project turnover documentation.
• Extensive experience in managing supplier quality, quality audits, inspections, testing, commissioning, and project handover.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, international construction standards, and local regulatory requirements in Saudi Arabia.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and drive quality initiatives across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in quality management software and tools, as well as a deep understanding of quality methodologies and best practices.