Head of Quality

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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,…