Quality Assurance Manager

QA/QC MANAGERWesteel Metal Industries I.L.L.C.

Location: Dammam, Saudi ArabiaIndustry: Structural Steel Fabrication / PEB / Industrial ProjectsPosition: QA/QC ManagerReporting To: General Manager / Operations ManagementPosition ObjectiveWesteel Metal Industries is seeking an experienced QA/QC Manager to lead the company's quality function across structural steel fabrication, welding, painting/coating, inspection, documentation, and project delivery.The successful candidate must have strong experience working on Saudi Aramco projects and a thorough understanding of Aramco quality requirements, inspection procedures, documentation standards, material traceability, welding controls, and vendor/manufacturer quality systems.The QA/QC Manager will be responsible for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving Westeel's Quality Management System while ensuring that all fabricated products and project deliverables comply with client specifications, approved drawings, applicable codes, and contractual requirements.Key ResponsibilitiesQuality Management SystemDevelop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve Westeel's Quality Management System.Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 requirements and applicable client-specific quality requirements.Establish and maintain project-specific Quality Plans, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), procedures, checklists, and inspection formats.Ensure quality requirements are integrated into engineering, procurement, fabrication, painting, delivery, and site activities.Conduct internal quality audits and ensure timely closure of findings.Monitor quality performance and report key trends to management.Saudi Aramco ComplianceEnsure Westeel's activities comply with applicable Saudi Aramco engineering standards, material specifications, inspection requirements, and project procedures.Review project requirements and identify all applicable Aramco quality obligations before commencement of work.Coordinate with Aramco inspectors, client representatives, third-party inspection agencies, and project quality teams.Prepare and manage inspection notifications and requests in accordance with project requirements.Ensure all required documentation is available and approved before inspections.Manage and close quality observations, NCRs, punch items, and corrective actions.Support vendor qualification, approval, audits, and client surveillance activities.Ensure readiness for Aramco audits and inspections at all times.Structural Steel Fabrication QualityOversee QA/QC activities related to structural steel and PEB fabrication.Ensure fabrication complies with approved shop drawings, project specifications, applicable codes, and client requirements.Control inspection activities for:Material receivingCuttingDrillingFit-upWeldingDimensional inspectionSurface preparationBlastingPainting and coatingGalvanizing where applicableFinal inspectionPacking and dispatchVerify dimensional tolerances and fabrication quality before release.Ensure non-conforming materials or fabricated items are properly identified, segregated, and controlled.Welding QualityEnsure welding activities are carried out in accordance with approved WPS and PQR requirements.Verify welder qualifications and continuity records.Maintain proper control of welding consumables, storage, baking, issuance, and traceability.Monitor fit-up, preheat, interpass temperature, welding parameters, and visual inspection.Coordinate required NDT activities including:VTMTPTUTRT where applicableEnsure NDT personnel and subcontractors hold appropriate qualifications and certifications.Investigate welding defects and ensure proper repair procedures are followed.Monitor repair rates and implement measures to reduce recurring defects.Material Control & TraceabilityEnsure full material traceability from receiving through fabrication and final delivery.Review Material Test Certificates and verify compliance with purchase orders, specifications, and project requirements.Ensure proper heat-number transfer and identification throughout fabrication.Verify materials before release to production.Coordinate PMI or additional material verification where required.Prevent use of unapproved or unidentified materials.Painting & Coating QualityEnsure surface preparation and coating activities comply with approved coating systems and specifications.Monitor:Surface cleanlinessSurface profileAmbient conditionsPaint mixingPot lifeWet film thicknessDry film thicknessRecoating intervalsFinal coating inspectionEnsure paint materials are approved, properly stored, and within shelf life.Maintain coating inspection and environmental records.Coordinate third-party coating inspection where required.Inspection & TestingDevelop and maintain Inspection and Test Plans for fabrication and project activities.Identify hold points, witness points, review points, and surveillance requirements.Coordinate inspection schedules with production and project teams.Ensure inspections are completed without unnecessarily delaying production.Maintain proper inspection records and release documentation.Ensure no fabricated item is dispatched without required quality clearance.NCR & Corrective Action ManagementRaise and manage Non-Conformance Reports where quality requirements are not achieved.Conduct root-cause analysis for recurring quality issues.Develop corrective and preventive actions with relevant departments.Track NCRs through final closure.Analyze NCR trends and identify systemic problems.Reduce rework, rejection, repair, and customer complaints.Quality DocumentationEnsure complete and accurate preparation of project quality dossiers and Manufacturing Record Books.Maintain proper control of:Material certificatesWPS/PQR recordsWelder qualificationsNDT reportsDimensional inspection reportsPainting reportsCalibration certificatesInspection requestsNCRsRelease notesFinal inspection recordsEnsure documentation is compiled progressively throughout the project rather than at project completion.Coordinate final dossier submission and client approval.Calibration & Equipment ControlEnsure all measuring and inspection equipment is properly identified and calibrated.Maintain a calibration register and prevent use of expired equipment.Coordinate third-party calibration where necessary.Ensure inspection tools are suitable for their intended application.Supplier & Subcontractor QualityEvaluate suppliers and subcontractors from a quality perspective.Review supplier quality documentation before material approval.Conduct supplier audits and inspections where necessary.Ensure subcontracted fabrication, galvanizing, painting, machining, and NDT activities comply with project requirements.Monitor supplier NCRs and quality performance.Team ManagementManage QA/QC Engineers, Inspectors, Welding Inspectors, Coating Inspectors, document controllers, and other quality personnel as applicable.Assign clear responsibilities and inspection coverage.Train production personnel on quality requirements and recurring issues.Develop competency within the quality department.Ensure QA/QC personnel maintain independence and professional authority over quality acceptance decisions.Key Performance IndicatorsThe QA/QC Manager's performance will be measured against areas including:NCR frequency and closure timeWelding repair rateRework and rejection percentageCustomer complaintsInspection acceptance rateAramco/client inspection performanceAudit findings and closureMaterial traceability complianceQuality dossier submission performanceCalibration complianceOn-time inspection completionCost of poor qualitySupplier quality performanceMandatory Qualifications & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Welding Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.Minimum 9 years of QA/QC experience in structural steel fabrication, industrial fabrication, oil & gas, EPC, or related industries.Demonstrable experience working on Saudi Aramco projects is mandatory.Strong knowledge of Saudi Aramco quality requirements and inspection processes.Strong experience in structural steel fabrication and welding inspection.Experience managing factory-based QA/QC operations.Strong understanding of material traceability and manufacturing documentation.Experience dealing directly with client inspectors and third-party inspection agencies.Strong knowledge of NCR management, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and quality audits.Excellent English communication and reporting skills.Technical KnowledgeStrong working knowledge of applicable standards and codes is required, including as relevant:Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards and SpecificationsASMEAWS D1.1ASTMAISCSSPC / AMPP coating requirementsISO 9001ISO 3834 principlesApplicable NDT standardsProject-specific client specificationsPreferred CertificationsCandidates holding one or more of the following will be strongly preferred:AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)CSWIP 3.1 or 3.2ASNT Level II / Level IIINACE / AMPP Coating InspectorISO 9001 Lead AuditorSaudi Aramco-approved inspector experienceAramco vendor/manufacturer quality experienceCandidate ProfileWesteel requires a strong factory-based QA/QC leader who understands fabrication in practice, not only quality documentation.The successful candidate must be capable of identifying issues directly on the shop floor, challenging unacceptable workmanship, coordinating effectively with production, and ensuring that commercial or production pressure never results in non-compliant products being released.The role requires someone who can build a quality culture across the organization while maintaining a practical balance between strict compliance, production efficiency, and project delivery.