Lead QA Auditor

slihrms; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

slihrms is seeking a Lead QA Auditor to lead quality audit activities across projects, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001, contractual requirements, regulatory standards, and industry best practices. The role provides independent assurance that QA systems are effectively implemented by site supervision consultants and contractors while driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities include developing audit programs, conducting system/process/compliance audits, monitoring findings and trends,

Qualifications

• Experience in quality auditing and construction quality management.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in quality assurance and auditing.
• Minimum 8 years of experience conducting quality audits on large-scale construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage project-wide quality audit activities.
• Verify compliance with ISO 9001 standards and project requirements.
• Review quality documents, inspections, tests, and records for compliance.
• Lead investigations of major quality concerns and track corrective actions.
• Coordinate with Client representatives, engineers, and contractors during audits.
• Prepare audit reports and maintain audit registers and action logs.

Skills

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor

Quality management

Auditing

Root cause analysis

Audit planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Quality Management, or related

Master's Degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or Construction Management is preferred

Job description

Job Description

Overview

The Lead QA Auditor is responsible for leading and managing all quality audit activities across the project to ensure compliance with contractual requirements, project quality objectives, regulatory standards, and industry best practices. The role will provide independent assurance that quality management systems are effectively implemented by the Site Supervision Consultant and Contractors, while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement throughout project execution.

Your role

Quality Audit Management

• Develop and maintain project-wide audit programs, schedules, and audit plans based on project risks and priorities.
• Conduct system, process, surveillance, and compliance audits in accordance with approved quality management procedures.
• Verify implementation of quality plans, inspection and test plans, method statements, and project quality requirements.
• Ensure objective evaluation of quality management processes and performance across all project stakeholders.
• Monitor audit findings and assess trends to identify recurring issues and areas requiring improvement.

Compliance and Assurance

• Verify compliance with ISO 9001 standards, project quality requirements, and applicable construction regulations.
• Assess contractor adherence to approved construction procedures, specifications, and quality management systems.
• Review quality documentation, records, approvals, inspection reports, and testing data for compliance verification.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented effectively and within agreed timelines.
• Provide independent assurance reports on the overall effectiveness of project quality controls.

Audit Findings and Corrective Actions

• Lead investigations related to major quality concerns, recurring deficiencies, and systemic non-conformances.
• Review root cause analyses and verify the adequacy of corrective and preventive action plans.
• Monitor closure of audit findings and ensure evidence of implementation is properly documented.
• Escalate significant quality risks and unresolved issues to project management when required.
• Track lessons learned and recommend process improvements to enhance project quality performance.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with Client representatives, Resident Engineers, project managers, contractors, and quality teams during audit activities.
• Facilitate audit opening meetings, closing meetings, and management review sessions.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to QA Engineers and auditors on auditing best practices and compliance requirements.
• Support external audits conducted by clients, regulatory agencies, and certification bodies.
• Maintain professional relationships with stakeholders while preserving audit independence and objectivity.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare detailed audit reports highlighting findings, observations, risks, and recommendations.
• Maintain audit registers, compliance tracking logs, corrective action records, and quality performance data.
• Develop periodic quality assurance summaries and executive reports for senior management review.
• Monitor quality performance indicators and communicate emerging trends affecting project quality.
• Ensure all audit documentation is accurately maintained and properly controlled within project systems.

About you

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Quality Management, or a related discipline.
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or Construction Management is preferred.
• Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor qualification is mandatory.
• Professional certifications in quality management, auditing, or project management are highly desirable.
• Membership in a recognized engineering or quality management professional organization is preferred.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in quality assurance, quality auditing, and construction quality management.
• Minimum 8 years of experience conducting quality audits on large-scale construction or infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience within site supervision consultancy, engineering consultancy, or project management consultancy environments.
• Demonstrated experience on large-scale buildings, convention centers, hospitality developments, hotels, resorts, and mixed-use projects.
• Prior GCC experience, particularly within Saudi Arabia, is highly preferred.

Technical Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and auditing methodologies.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, quality control systems, testing procedures, and inspection requirements.
• Expertise in audit planning, compliance verification, root cause analysis, and corrective action management.
• Familiarity with international construction standards, Saudi regulations, and best industry practices.
• Proficiency in quality management software, audit tracking systems, document management platforms, and Microsoft Office