Programme Quality & Assurance Manager

East West Rail Company; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Employer pension up to 12%

36 days annual leave

Volunteering days

Family-friendly policies

Life assurance (4x)

Employee assistance programme

Perkbox access

Recognition programme

Learning & development

Job summary

East West Rail Company (EWR) is seeking a Programme Quality & Assurance Manager in Milton Keynes to embed quality across delivery, supplier performance and operational readiness. This hands-on leadership role focuses on ensuring right-first-time delivery, strong quality planning, records and controls, and continuous improvement across the programme lifecycle.

The role involves collaboration with engineering, delivery, commercial, risk, environment, health & safety, and governance teams to

Qualifications

• Experience implementing practical quality management arrangements.
• Knowledge of quality management principles and ISO 9001.
• Experience managing non-conformances, corrective actions and improvement plans.
• Experience working with suppliers and delivery partners to improve performance.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to use quality information and lessons learned to drive improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support programme teams and suppliers to understand and implement quality requirements.
• Develop and improve quality arrangements across programme delivery activities.
• Strengthen quality planning, quality records and delivery assurance evidence.
• Lead improvements in non-conformance, defect management and corrective action processes.
• Work with suppliers to improve quality performance and quality management arrangements.
• Facilitate supplier quality forums and quality improvement initiatives.
• Manage and improve lessons learned processes so learning is captured and applied.
• Monitor quality performance information to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Support readiness for audits, certification activity and programme reviews.
• Work collaboratively across engineering, delivery, commercial, risk, environment, health & safety and governance teams to embed quality throughout the lifecycle.

Skills

Quality management

Supplier quality

Quality assurance

Management systems

Continuous improvement

ISO 9001

Non-conformance & corrective action

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Job description

Programme Quality & Assurance Manager

Application Deadline: 11 September 2026

Department: Corporate Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

Reporting To: Head of Quality, Governance & Assurance

Description

Help build quality into every stage of delivery.

East West Rail is one of the UK's most important infrastructure programmes, creating better connections between Oxford and Cambridge while supporting economic growth, sustainability and social value across the region.

At East West Railway Company (EWR), quality is fundamental to how we deliver. We're looking for a Programme Quality & Assurance Manager to help embed quality across programme delivery, supplier performance and future operational readiness.

About the role

This is a hands‑on quality leadership role focused on helping EWR and its supply chain deliver right first time.

You'll work closely with programme teams, business functions and suppliers to establish effective quality arrangements, strengthen quality planning and ensure that evidence, records and controls are in place throughout the delivery lifecycle.

The role will be central to improving supplier quality performance, managing non‑conformance and corrective action processes, capturing lessons learned and driving continuous improvement across the programme.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting programme teams and suppliers to understand and implement quality requirements.
• Developing and improving quality arrangements across programme delivery activities.
• Strengthening quality planning, quality records and delivery assurance evidence.
• Leading improvements in non‑conformance, defect management and corrective action processes.
• Working with suppliers to improve quality performance and quality management arrangements.
• Facilitating supplier quality forums and quality improvement initiatives.
• Managing and improving lessons learned processes so that learning is captured and applied.
• Monitoring quality performance information to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Supporting readiness for audits, certification activity and programme reviews.
• Working collaboratively across engineering, delivery, commercial, risk, environment, health & safety and governance teams to ensure quality is embedded throughout the programme lifecycle.

What you’ll bring

We're interested in people with experience in quality management, supplier quality, quality assurance, management systems or continuous improvement.

You may currently work within infrastructure, construction, engineering, manufacturing, transport, utilities or another complex delivery environment.

We're particularly looking for individuals who can demonstrate:

• Experience implementing practical quality management arrangements.
• Knowledge of quality management principles and ISO 9001.
• Experience managing non‑conformances, corrective actions and improvement plans.
• Experience working with suppliers and delivery partners to improve performance.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• The ability to use quality information and lessons learned to drive improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Rail experience is welcome but not essential.

Why join us?

This role offers the opportunity to shape how quality is delivered across one of the UK's largest infrastructure programmes. You'll help establish the quality foundations needed to support successful delivery, handover and future operational readiness, while influencing how EWR and its supply chain work together to achieve better outcomes.

What we offer

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience
• Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future
• 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days
• 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community
• Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
• Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it
• Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits
• Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards
• Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We know that people can be put off applying if they do not meet every requirement in a job description. If this role interests you and you can bring relevant experience, transferable skills or a different perspective, we would encourage you to apply.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves, contribute and grow.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences.

and we are happy to discuss adjustments or flexible working arrangements that could support you through the recruitment process and in the role.