Head of Quality, Safety & Maintenance (QSM)

SUMMARY:
Head of Quality, Safety & Maintenance (QSM) - Durban

POSITION INFO:

Head of Quality, Safety & Maintenance (QSM)

Role Overview

Our client, a respected engineering and manufacturing business, is seeking an experienced and hands-on Head of Quality, Safety & Maintenance (QSM) to take full accountability for these critical business functions.

This is a senior, factory-based role suited to a dynamic individual who thrives in a fast-paced operational environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for professionalising systems, ensuring compliance, driving operational excellence, and reducing day-to-day reliance on directors through strong leadership and ownership.

The environment is entrepreneurial rather than corporate, requiring someone adaptable, practical, and willing to get involved at all levels.

Role Focus Breakdown

• Quality Management – 60%
  Primary responsibility of the role, with emphasis on quality systems, inspections, compliance, and engineering standards.
• Maintenance Management – 25%
  Overseeing the maintenance department, coordinating resources, ensuring preventative maintenance plans are executed, and maintaining accurate records.
• Safety / SHEQ Compliance – 15%
  Ensuring health and safety compliance, statutory checks, audits, and maintaining a safe working environment.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management

• Lead and improve the company Quality Management System (QMS)
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards and customer quality requirements
• Develop quality control plans, inspection reports, and supporting documentation
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across production and projects
• Maintain welding quality standards and general engineering compliance requirements
• Conduct internal audits and prepare for external audits

Maintenance Management

• Manage the maintenance function and maintenance personnel
• Ensure preventative and reactive maintenance schedules are completed
• Monitor equipment reliability and minimise downtime
• Maintain maintenance records, statutory registers, and documentation
• Coordinate contractors and internal technical teams where required

Safety Management

• Oversee SHEQ compliance in line with South African legislation
• Ensure statutory inspections are completed (lifting equipment, fire systems, etc.)
• Conduct risk assessments, safety audits, and incident investigations
• Maintain safety files, procedures, and training records
• Promote a strong safety culture throughout the business

Leadership & Ownership

• Take full accountability for the QSM department
• Operate independently with minimal supervision
• Provide management reporting to directors
• Build discipline, accountability, and systems across departments
• Support company growth in a changing and expanding environment

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Engineering, Quality Management, Safety Management, or related field
• ISO / Quality Systems certification advantageous

Experience

• 5–10+ years’ experience in engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial environments
• Strong background in Quality Management
• Experience overseeing maintenance teams or maintenance systems
• Exposure to health & safety compliance within industrial environments
• Previous experience in a senior supervisory or management role

Technical Competencies

• ISO systems and quality assurance knowledge
• Welding quality standards and engineering inspection processes
• Maintenance planning systems
• SHEQ compliance and statutory requirements
• Strong documentation and reporting skills

Personal Attributes

• Hands-on and practical
• Strong work ethic
• High attention to detail
• Systems-driven thinker
• Flexible and adaptable
• Confident leader
• Able to work in a dynamic, non-corporate environment
• Willing to get involved operationally where needed