Project Quality Manager

Company Description

• Navantia UK is a UK incorporated company, subsidiary of Spanish Navantia, created to work with UK industrial partners in shipbuilding, defence and in offshore wind energy. With a history that goes back more than 300 hundred years, Navantia is a world reference in the design, building, integration and life cycle support of state-of-the-art war ships for the Spanish Navy and international customers and has extensive experience in ToT programmes.

Job Description

Job Description and Person Specification

Title

Project Quality Manager

Date Written/Revised

30/10/2026

Career Ladder

Managers (Functional and/or People Managers)

Career Level

M2

Department

Quality

Location

Arnish

Total No of Reports

8

Reporting To

Line Manager: Albert Allan, General Manager

Matrix Manager:

Job Purpose (high level overview)

The Project Quality Manager will be responsible for establishing, implementing, and leading the Quality Management System (QMS) for a heavy fabrication package for the nuclear industry at the Navantia UK Arnish Facility.

The role will ensure that all fabrication, welding, machining, inspection, testing, documentation, and supply chain activities are performed in compliance with contractual requirements, applicable codes and standards, nuclear quality requirements, and Navantia UK quality management procedures.

As a key member of the project leadership team, the Project Quality Manager will provide assurance that safety-critical components are manufactured to the highest standards of quality, traceability, and compliance, while supporting successful project delivery and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

1. Quality Leadership & Governance

• Lead the Project Quality function and provide strategic direction for all quality-related activities.
• Develop and implement the Project Quality Management Plan (PQMP).
• Promote a culture of quality excellence, continuous improvement, and right-first-time delivery.
• Act as the primary quality interface with client quality representatives and external assurance bodies.
• Ensure compliance with corporate quality policies, client requirements, and regulatory obligations.

2. Quality Management System (QMS)

• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve the project quality management system.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, project-specific quality requirements, and applicable nuclear quality standards.
• Develop and manage quality procedures, inspection and test plans (ITPs), quality control plans, and work instructions.
• Ensure quality requirements are clearly communicated and implemented across all project functions.
• Monitor the effectiveness of quality processes and drive corrective actions where required.

3. Nuclear Quality Assurance

• Ensure all project activities comply with the required nuclear quality assurance standards.
• Oversee implementation of quality arrangements necessary to support safety-significant and safety-related fabrication activities.
• Ensure full traceability of materials, fabrication records, inspections, testing, and documentation.
• Support compliance with nuclear records retention and lifetime quality record requirements.
• Ensure quality assurance activities are fully integrated into project execution and delivery plans.

4. Fabrication Quality Management

• Oversee quality control activities associated with steel fabrication, assembly, welding, machining, coatings, and finishing operations.
• Ensure fabrication activities comply with approved specifications, procedures, and quality standards.
• Monitor inspection and testing activities throughout the manufacturing process.
• Coordinate quality surveillance activities across workshops and subcontractor facilities.
• Support production teams in achieving quality performance objectives.

5. Inspection & Test Management

• Develop and approve Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs).
• Ensure inspection activities are carried out in accordance with client, code, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate third-party inspections, client witness points, and hold points.
• Ensure all required inspection records are maintained and reviewed.
• Monitor compliance with approved welding, NDT, dimensional control, and material verification requirements.

6. Non-Conformance & Corrective Action Management

• Lead the management of Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), concessions, deviations, and quality observations.
• Ensure root cause analysis investigations are conducted effectively.
• Monitor implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Identify recurring issues and implement improvement initiatives.
• Maintain quality metrics and trend analysis reports.

7. Supplier & Subcontractor Quality Assurance

• Participate in supplier qualification and approval activities.
• Conduct supplier audits and technical assessments.
• Ensure subcontractors comply with project quality and nuclear requirements.
• Monitor supplier quality performance and implement improvement actions where necessary.
• Support procurement teams in evaluating quality-related risks within the supply chain.

8. Audit & Assurance

• Develop and implement a project audit programme.
• Lead internal quality audits and support external audits.
• Coordinate client audits, regulatory inspections, and independent assurance reviews.
• Ensure audit findings are effectively addressed and closed out.
• Maintain audit records and quality performance reporting.

9. Documentation & Handover

• Ensure accurate maintenance of quality documentation, records, and certification packages.
• Support compilation and review of Lifetime Quality Records (LQRs) and Manufacturing Record Books (MRBs).
• Verify completeness and compliance of quality dossiers prior to client submission.
• Support project handover and final acceptance activities.
• Ensure documentation meets traceability and regulatory requirements.

10. Quality Performance Reporting

• Develop and maintain quality key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Provide regular quality performance reports to project management and senior leadership.
• Analyse quality trends and identify risks and improvement opportunities.
• Participate in project review meetings and management reporting cycles.
• Support business performance reporting and lessons learned activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Key Skills:

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in quality software tools and MS Office Suite.
• Strong understanding of welding, materials, and NDT techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.

Performance Indicators

• Audit scores and NCR trends.
• On-time delivery of fabrication milestones without quality issues.
• Client satisfaction ratings.
• Employee competency development within QA/QC team.

To guide, mentor and develop a team. A strong awareness of employment legislation and best practice regarding, but not limited to: processes, wellbeing, and equal opportunities.

Desirable

• Previous experience in the nuclear sector, including new-build projects or nuclear manufacturing environments.
• Experience with safety-classified steel structures and nuclear-grade documentation requirements.
• Familiarity with Lifetime Quality Records (LQRs), Manufacturing Record Books (MRBs), and nuclear traceability systems.

Working Environment

Standard Office and Fabrication Yard Environment. May be required to travel and/or have overnight trips. Hours worked may exceed regular schedule.

Physical Effort

Duties may involve: Yard walkarounds, Inspection (possibly at height), sitting, standing, keyboarding with frequent flexible breaks.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. Job descriptions should be regularly reviewed to ensure they are an accurate representation of the post.

Generic Level Descriptions

Level Overview

Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Provides project/process expertise and/or manages the coordination of the activities of a section or department through subordinate supervisors/team leads and/or professional staff. Receives assignments in the form of objectives and determines how to use resources to meet schedules and goals in own area. Provides guidance to subordinates within the latitude of established company policies. Recommends changes to policies and establishes procedures that affect immediate organization(s).

Complexity, Expertise & Problem Solving

Works on issues of diverse scope where analysis of situation or data requires evaluation of a variety of factors, including an understanding of current business trends. Follows processes and operational policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.

Resolves problems through immediate actions or short-term planning and sets priorities to ensure tasks completion.

Applies extensive knowledge of technical concepts and theories used by supervisors/team leads and/or professional staff. May be acquiring knowledge of other related disciplines/areas and growing business knowledge. Interprets business issues and adapts work priorities in own area. Understands ways in which the section, department and/or project/processes relate to and impact as a whole. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of operations and strategies. Seeks information regarding trends affecting section or department and industry.

Decision Making & Autonomy

Decisions or failure to achieve results will add to costs and may impact the short-term goals of the organization..

Communication/ Negotiation/ Influencing/ Key Contacts

Interacts with staff and functional peer groups. Interaction normally requires the ability to gain cooperation of others, conducting presentations concerning specific projects or schedules.

Frequently interacts with subordinate supervisors, customers, partners, and/or functional peer group managers, normally involving matters between functional areas, other company divisions or units, or customers and the company. Often must lead a cooperative effort among members of a project team.

Supervision/ Leadership

Manages, perhaps through subordinate supervisors, team leads and/or professional staff, the coordination of the activities of a section or department with responsibility for results, including costs, methods and staffing. May be asked to be involved in union negotiations and/or grievance resolution.

Receives direction on quarterly/annual priorities.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Metallurgical, or Welding Engineering (or equivalent).
• Minimum 10–15 years of experience in QA/QC within fabrication yards (offshore structures, modules, pressure vessels, piping, etc.).
• Minimum 3–5 years in a managerial role.
• Certified in ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor, CSWIP 3.1/3.2 or AWS-CWI, and NDT Level II/III (preferred).
• Strong knowledge of fabrication codes and standards (ASME, API, AWS, DNV, ISO).
• Experience interfacing with major EPC or oil & gas clients.

Additional Information

Please note as part of the onboarding process all candidates will need to complete BPSS security clearance

We are an Open Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.

Please note as part of the onboarding process all candidates will need to complete BPSS security clearance

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.