Construction Quality Manager

kbr; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) seeks a Construction Quality Manager to oversee QA/QC across a major pharmaceutical capital project in the Richmond, VA area. You will coordinate EPCM contractors, suppliers, and inspectors to ensure GMP, regulatory, and project specs are met from construction through startup.

You will lead quality governance, review ITPs, manage deviations and CAPAs, and drive continuous improvement while partnering with CQV, commissioning, validation, and compliance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of quality management experience on major capital projects.
• 10+ years in pharmaceutical, biotech, or GMP-regulated industries.
• Experience leading teams across design, construction, CQV, startup and handover.
• Strong GMP knowledge and regulatory readiness for inspections.

Responsibilities

• Develop and govern the Project Quality Management Plan (QMP) and KPIs.
• Oversee design quality reviews, ITPs, and contractor QA/QC programs.
• Manage surveillance of construction activities across disciplines.
• Lead audit programs and track corrective actions to closure.
• Coordinate with CQV, commissioning, validation, and compliance teams.

Skills

Quality leadership

GMP knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Contractor oversight

CQV coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

ASQ CMQ/OE or CQE

PE or PMP or equivalent certification

Job description

Construction Quality Manager

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.

KBR is seeking an experienced Construction Quality Manager to oversee construction quality performance for a major pharmaceutical manufacturing project. This role will have the oversight of EPCM contractors, construction contractors, suppliers, and inspectors to ensure all construction activities meet project specifications, GMP requirements, industry standards, and regulatory expectations. The successful candidate will play a key leadership role in delivering a world-class facility through construction, commissioning, qualification, and startup.

Functional job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Quality Leadership & Governance

• Develop and implement the Project Quality Management Plan (QMP).
• Establish project-wide quality objectives, KPIs, quality reporting systems, and governance processes.
• Lead project quality reviews, audits, management assessments, and compliance evaluations.
• Provide independent assurance regarding effectiveness of contractor and project quality management systems.
• Guide project leadership on quality risks, compliance concerns, and required corrective actions.
• Promote a quality-focused culture emphasizing right-first-time execution and continuous improvement.

Engineering & Design Quality Oversight

• Oversee design quality review processes and contractor quality programs.
• Ensure management of design changes, deviations, and quality impacts.
• Confirm quality requirements are incorporated into all project execution procedures and standards.

Construction Quality Oversight

• Manage owner-side construction quality surveillance and inspection programs.
• Monitor contractor QA/QC performance across civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, automation, utilities, and process installation activities.
• Review and approve Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), turnover strategies, punch list management processes, and inspection procedures.
• Ensure construction activities comply with approved specifications, codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead quality investigations associated with nonconforming work.

Supplier & Equipment Quality Management

• Oversee supplier quality programs for major process equipment, utilities, automation systems, cleanroom systems, and critical GMP infrastructure.
• Support supplier qualification, audits, surveillance activities, and factory acceptance testing.
• Review supplier quality performance metrics and corrective action programs.
• Ensure documentation and quality records support qualification and validation activities.

CQV & GMP Compliance

• Coordinate closely with Commissioning, Qualification, Validation, and Compliance teams.
• Ensure construction and engineering activities support successful CQV execution.
• Verify quality documentation supports GMP regulatory inspections and licensure requirements.
• Support readiness for FDA, EMA, MHRA, and other applicable regulatory agency inspections.
• Ensure proper management of deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and quality records.

Audit & Compliance Management

• Develop and execute project quality audit programs
• Lead internal quality audits and support external regulatory assessments.
• Track audit findings and corrective actions through closure.
• Monitor contractor compliance with contractual quality obligations.
• Maintain project quality dashboards and executive reporting.

Team Leadership

Coordinate quality activities among EPCM firms, contractors, suppliers, and CQV partners. Foster collaboration across Quality, Construction, Engineering, Procurement, and Operations teams.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quality Management, Life Sciences, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of quality management experience supporting major capital projects.
• Minimum 10 years of experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, sterile manufacturing, vaccine, biologics, API, or other GMP-regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience supporting projects exceeding $500 million TIC.
• Experience managing quality programs during design, construction, CQV, startup, and handover phases.
• Extensive knowledge of GMP requirements and pharmaceutical facility delivery processes.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary quality organizations and contractor teams.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CMQ/OE), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), or equivalent certification.
• Professional Engineer (PE), PMP, or comparable certification.
• Experience on greenfield pharmaceutical manufacturing