Group Head Quality | Power Systems (Substations/Switchyards up to 765kV) & Utility-Scale Solar EPC (100 MW+)

Location: Mohali, Punjab

Department: Quality

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Director Projects

Job Summary:

The Group Head Quality will provide strategic leadership for the Corporate Quality function across the organization's Power Systems and Renewable Energy businesses. The incumbent will be responsible for establishing, implementing, and continuously improving the Quality Management System (QMS), Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), Governance, Compliance, and Process Control framework for Extra High Voltage (EHV) Substation and Switchyard projects up to 765kV and utility-scale ground-mounted Solar EPC projects (100 MW and above). The role is accountable for driving quality excellence across engineering, procurement, manufacturing, construction, testing, commissioning, and project handover while ensuring compliance with contractual requirements, statutory regulations, client specifications, and international quality standards. The position will also lead enterprise-wide initiatives in process standardization, operational excellence, risk management, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Quality Leadership:

- Define and execute the organization's Corporate Quality Strategy aligned with business objectives.

- Lead and govern Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Quality Systems, Governance, and Process Control across all business verticals.

- Develop a culture of quality, accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

- Establish corporate quality objectives, KPIs, and performance metrics.

- Advise senior management on quality risks, compliance issues, and improvement opportunities.

Quality Assurance (QA):

- Develop and maintain the Corporate Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 requirements.

- Establish and standardize Quality Plans, Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Method Statements, and Work Instructions.

- Ensure quality requirements are integrated into engineering, procurement, manufacturing, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover activities.

- Lead internal, external, customer, and certification audits.

- Monitor and drive timely closure of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Quality Control (QC):

- Oversee inspection and testing activities across all project phases.

- Review and approve quality documentation, inspection records, test certificates, material approvals, and quality dossiers.

- Ensure first-time-right execution by minimizing defects, non-conformities, and rework.

- Supervise Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), pre-commissioning, and commissioning quality activities.

- Ensure calibration and traceability of inspection and testing equipment.

Quality Systems:

- Develop and continuously improve integrated quality systems and corporate quality standards.

- Standardize quality documentation and reporting across projects and business units.

- Integrate quality processes with Environmental (ISO 14001) and Occupational Health & Safety (ISO 45001) management systems, where applicable.

- Drive digitalization of quality reporting, dashboards, and analytics.

Governance & Process Control:

- Establish governance frameworks to ensure adherence to organizational policies, contractual obligations, statutory requirements, and industry standards.

- Design and implement process controls across engineering, procurement, project execution, commissioning, and project closeout.

- Conduct governance reviews and process audits to ensure operational discipline.

- Identify quality and process risks, recommend mitigation plans, and monitor implementation.

- Promote process standardization and operational excellence across the organization.

Project Quality Management:

Power Systems (Substations & Switchyards up to 765kV):

- Lead quality management for AIS and GIS substations and switchyards up to 765kV.

- Ensure compliance during installation, testing, and commissioning of: Power Transformers, Circuit Breakers, Isolators, CTs, PTs, and CVTs, Busbars, Protection & Control Systems, SCADA & Automation Systems, Earthing Systems, Control & Power Cabling, Transmission Line Interfaces.

Utility-Scale Solar EPC (100 MW+):

- Lead quality management for: Civil Works and Foundations, Module Mounting Structures (MMS), Solar PV Modules, String and Central Inverters, HT/LT Systems, Power Transformers, Switchgear and RMUs, Pooling Substations, SCADA & Plant Monitoring Systems, Earthing & Lightning Protection Systems, Performance Testing and Final Plant Acceptance.

Vendor Quality Management:

- Develop and implement supplier qualification and vendor quality assurance programs.

- Conduct supplier audits, factory inspections, and manufacturing surveillance.

- Monitor vendor quality performance and ensure compliance with technical specifications and contractual quality requirements.

- Drive supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives.

Customer & Stakeholder Management:

- Represent the organization during customer audits, regulatory inspections, and quality reviews.

- Coordinate with clients, consultants, utilities, project management consultants (PMC), independent engineers, OEMs, and statutory authorities.

- Resolve critical quality issues while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.

Continuous Improvement:

- Drive Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and CAPA methodologies.

- Analyze quality KPIs, audit findings, and project performance trends.

- Reduce quality costs, defects, customer complaints, and rework through systematic improvement initiatives.

- Capture and implement lessons learned across all projects.

Core Skills:

- Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), Quality Management Systems (QMS), Governance & Compliance, Process Control & Standardization, Corporate Quality Management, EPC Project Quality, EHV Substations & Switchyards (Up to 765kV), Utility-Scale Solar EPC (100 MW+), Vendor Quality Management.

Technical Knowledge:

- Strong knowledge of: ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management System, IEC Standards, Indian Standards (IS), IEEE Standards, CBIP Guidelines, CEA Regulations, Grid Code Requirements, Utility and Client Technical Specifications, EPC Contract Quality Requirements.

Leadership Competencies:

- Strategic Leadership, Corporate Governance, Business Process Excellence, Change Management, Team Building & Mentoring, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Analytical & Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution, Customer Focus, Communication & Executive Presentation Skills.

Qualification:

- Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech./B.E.) in Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or an equivalent engineering discipline.

Preferred Certifications:

- ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor, Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt, Quality Management System (QMS) Certification, Internal/Lead Auditor Certification, Lean Management / Operational Excellence Certification (Preferred).

Experience:

- 20-25 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Quality Systems, Governance, and Process Excellence within the Power Transmission, Substation, Switchyard, Renewable Energy, or Infrastructure EPC sectors.

- Minimum 10 years in a senior corporate quality leadership role.

- Proven experience managing quality for: AIS/GIS Substations & Switchyards up to 765kV, Ground-Mounted Utility-Scale Solar EPC Projects (100 MW+).

- Demonstrated success in leading multi-project, multi-location quality organizations and driving enterprise-wide quality transformation.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

- Enterprise quality compliance, Audit compliance and certification success, Reduction in Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), Timely CAPA closure, First-pass inspection acceptance rate, Reduction in rework and quality-related costs, Vendor quality performance, Process compliance and governance score, Customer quality satisfaction, On-time quality documentation, Successful project commissioning and handover, Continuous improvement and organizational quality maturity.