Quality Control Manager (Wind, Solar PV & BESS)

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and rigorous Quality Control Manager to own and lead the quality management system across our division's portfolio of utility-scale renewable energy construction projects, including Solar PV, Wind, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), substation, and grid connection infrastructure.

This is a divisional leadership role responsible for ensuring that construction works on every project are delivered in full compliance with approved engineering designs, project specifications, applicable standards (including SANS, IEC, NRS, and ISO 9001), and contractual and client requirements. The Quality Control Manager establishes the quality framework that site teams — including Site Agents and Site Engineers — execute on the ground, and independently verifies that it is being followed.

The role operates on a dual reporting line. On site, the Quality Control Manager reports to the Construction Manager for day-to-day operational coordination, integration with the construction programme, and site-level priorities. Functionally, the Quality Control Manager reports to the Quality Director at head office, who holds the line on quality standards, methods, and assurance. This functional line preserves the independence of the quality function: quality decisions, the authority to halt non-conforming work, and the authority to withhold quality acceptance ultimately rest with the quality reporting line and cannot be overridden by site schedule or commercial pressure.

The successful candidate will be a credible, firm, and collaborative quality professional who can balance both reporting relationships — working closely and constructively with the Construction Manager and site teams while upholding the standards and independence required by the Quality Director and the divisional quality framework.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management System and Governance

• Own, maintain, and continuously improve the divisional quality management system (QMS) in line with ISO 9001 principles and project requirements.
• Establish project-specific quality management plans for each Solar PV, Wind, BESS, substation, and grid connection project.
• Define quality objectives, key performance indicators, and reporting structures across the project portfolio.
• Ensure quality processes are consistently applied across all active sites, while allowing for project-specific requirements.
• Provide independent assurance to the Quality Director and divisional management on the quality status of each project.

Quality Planning and Inspection & Test Plans

• Develop, review, and approve Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) for civil, mechanical, and electrical works across all disciplines.
• Define hold points, witness points, and acceptance criteria, and ensure these are integrated into construction sequences.
• Review construction method statements, work instructions, and quality control procedures for adequacy before work commences.
• Ensure ITPs and quality plans are aligned with approved engineering drawings, specifications, and applicable standards (SANS, IEC, NRS, and relevant IEC standards for PV systems and grid-connected infrastructure).

Inspection, Testing and Surveillance

• Direct and oversee the site-based inspection and testing regime executed by Site Agents, Site Engineers, and quality inspectors.
• Conduct and coordinate independent quality surveillance, inspections, and audits across active work fronts.
• Verify that materials, workmanship, and installations conform to specification before, during, and after construction activities.
• Oversee quality control of key activities including WTG foundations, MV and HV cabling, transformers, inverters and power conversion systems, BESS installations, substations, and balance of plant works.
• Ensure measuring and test equipment is calibrated, controlled, and fit for purpose.

Non-Conformance and Continuous Improvement

• Own the non-conformance reporting (NCR) process: ensure NCRs are raised, recorded, investigated, dispositioned, and closed out in a timely manner.
• Lead root cause analysis and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Track quality trends across projects and drive lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Exercise the authority to stop non-conforming work and to withhold quality sign-off where standards are not met.

Supplier and Subcontractor Quality

• Assess and qualify subcontractors and suppliers from a quality capability perspective.
• Review and approve subcontractor and supplier quality plans and ITPs.
• Ensure that all subcontractors working on site conform to the project quality plans and Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), and verify their compliance through surveillance, inspection, and audit.
• Ensure that all suppliers meet the project quality plan and specification requirements, including certification, testing, and documentation obligations.
• Conduct supplier quality surveillance, source inspections, and factory acceptance test (FAT) oversight for key equipment where required.
• Ensure incoming materials and equipment are inspected and verified against specification and certification requirements on delivery to site.

Commissioning and Handover Quality

• Provide quality assurance over pre-commissioning, commissioning, energisation, and performance testing activities.
• Oversee punch list and snag list management through to close-out across all projects.
• Govern the preparation, review, and approval of handover dossiers, as-built records, test certificates, and completion documentation.
• Ensure quality acceptance and handover requirements are met prior to taking-over and final completion milestones.

Quality Documentation and Records

• Establish and maintain quality document control across the portfolio, including inspection records, test reports, certificates, and quality dossiers.
• Use and, where required, configure digital quality record and document management systems to capture, control, and report quality data across projects.
• Ensure full traceability of quality records from material receipt through to project handover.
• Maintain audit-ready quality documentation for client, owner's engineer, and lender's technical advisor review.

Audits, Compliance and Stakeholder Interface

• Plan and conduct internal quality audits across projects and the supply chain.
• Host and support external, client, and third-party quality audits and inspections.
• Act as the divisional quality interface with clients, owner's engineers, independent engineers, and certification bodies.
• Ensure compliance with all contractual quality obligations and applicable regulatory and standards requirements.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop site quality managers, QA/QC engineers, inspectors, and document controllers across the portfolio.
• Provide quality guidance, training, and coaching to Site Agents, Site Engineers, and broader site teams.
• Promote a culture in which quality is owned by everyone on site, not only by the quality team.
• Support resource planning to ensure each project is adequately staffed with competent quality personnel.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or National Diploma in Electrical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Quality Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of construction or EPC project experience within renewable energy, power, transmission, substation, industrial, mining, or major infrastructure environments.
• Minimum 5 years in a quality management or QA/QC leadership role with accountability for a quality management system.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and managing quality systems on utility-scale Solar PV, Wind, BESS, substation, transmission, or comparable infrastructure projects.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems and their practical application on construction sites.
• Sound understanding of construction quality processes across civil, mechanical, and electrical disciplines.
• Working knowledge of applicable standards, including SANS, IEC, and NRS, and of testing, inspection, and commissioning requirements.
• Experience managing NCRs, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, and continuous improvement.
• Experience within EPC, design-build, or contractor-led project delivery environments.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel extensively and spend significant time on project sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification.
• Membership of or certification with the South African Quality Institute (SAQI) or an equivalent professional quality body.
• Registration with ECSA (Professional or Candidate Engineer, Technologist, or Technician) or with SACPCMP will be advantageous.
• Training in quality tools and methodologies such as Six Sigma, root cause analysis, or statistical process control.
• Welding and non-destructive testing inspection qualifications (e.g. CSWIP, ISO 3834, AWS, or ASME-related), advantageous for balance of plant steelwork and structures.
• Familiarity with relevant IEC standards for PV systems (e.g. commissioning and inspection of grid-connected PV) and for grid-connected infrastructure.
• Experience working for a major EPC contractor, renewable energy contractor, or balance of plant contractor.
• Project management or construction management training.

Technical Competencies

• Quality management systems (ISO 9001) and their site-level implementation.
• Development and management of Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), hold points, and acceptance criteria.
• Non-conformance management, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action.
• Internal and external quality auditing.
• Quality control of MV and HV electrical systems, substations, and grid connection infrastructure.
• Quality control of civil and structural works, including WTG foundations and balance of plant.
• Quality assurance over commissioning, energisation, and performance testing.
• Supplier and subcontractor quality management, including FAT oversight.
• Quality document control, traceability, and handover dossier preparation, including the use and configuration of digital quality record and document management systems.
• Quality reporting, KPIs, and trend analysis.

Preferred Attributes

• Uncompromising integrity and the personal authority to uphold standards under schedule and commercial pressure.
• Independence of judgement balanced with strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, able to influence at site level and report credibly to senior management and clients.
• Highly organised, systematic, and detail-oriented, with strong documentation discipline.
• Practical, hands-on approach to quality on active construction sites.
• Strong leadership and people development capability.
• Ability to work effectively in remote and challenging construction environments.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence, and a passion for renewable energy infrastructure delivery.

• Competitive market-related remuneration package.
• Performance-based incentive scheme.
• Medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Site accommodation provided during project rotations.
• Site-based role, typically working full time on site with monthly R&R.
• Opportunity to shape and lead the quality function across a portfolio of landmark renewable energy projects across South Africa.
• Exposure to utility-scale Solar PV, Wind, BESS, substation, and transmission infrastructure projects.
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities.
• Dynamic and collaborative project delivery environment.

Interested candidates should submit a detailed CV together with a cover letter outlining their relevant quality management experience, the projects on which they have established or led quality systems, and their professional achievements.

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Subject Line: Candidate for Quality Control Manager

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