Head Of Quality - OCS

Matchtech are working with a key client to support the recruitment of a Head of Quality - OCS to work on key rail projects. 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 the client 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 client 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 elevate appropriately to senior management.

Develop, implement, and maintain the OCS Quality Plan in accordance with:

• ISO 10005
• WI 600

Ensure the Quality Plan covers design, installation, inspection, testing, commissioning, and handover.

Submit the Quality Plan and revisions for client acceptance within contractual timescales.

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.

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 client standards, interoperability requirements, railway norms, and contractual obligations.

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.

Ensure all quality-related deliverables are incorporated within Information Delivery Plans (IDPs).

Maintain accurate records of accepted, approved, and informational submissions.

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.

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).

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),…