Senior Specialist Quality Assurance and Excellence

Role Overview

The Senior Specialist in Quality Assurance & Excellence plays a pivotal role in developing, managing, and continuously improving the Quality Assurance framework, including the Integrated Management System (IMS) across Noatum Ports. This function ensures the design, implementation, and upkeep of IMS aligned with international benchmarks such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 55001. The position emphasizes business process standardization, implementation governance, and excellence in performance by managing IMS documentation, internal audits, corrective actions, and KPI monitoring. Support is also provided for regulatory compliance, operational discipline, and continuous improvement within the headquarters and terminal operations.

Core Responsibilities

• Create, review, and distribute IMS documentation at both headquarters and terminal levels.
• Assist in harmonizing and enhancing business processes and procedures, ensuring organizational alignment and compliance with established frameworks.
• Contribute to the development and upkeep of QA and IMS frameworks.
• Collaborate with different departments to detail process workflows and establish control points.
• Help coordinate the Internal Quality Audit and Gap Analysis programs, assuring uniform audit procedures across all operational functions.
• Monitor audit results and follow-up corrective measures to ensure their timely resolution.
• Participate in preparing for external audits, certification processes, and regulatory inspections.
• Promote a culture centered on continuous improvement, risk consciousness, and operational discipline.
• Develop and track KPIs related to quality and process performance, such as IMS impact on overall performance, audit closure rates, and the extent of process standardization across organizational units and terminals.
• Engage with QHSE functions at terminal locations to boost knowledge and appreciation of QA and Excellence principles.
• Facilitate awareness and training sessions covering IMS familiarization, ISO management systems, problem-solving techniques, lean management, and continuous improvement approaches.
• Provide guidance on QA and Excellence governance to relevant teams and leadership.
• Ensure QA systems align with both executive management directives and Port Authority standards.
• Detect emerging risks and suggest enhancements to strengthen the IMS across all levels.
• Support governance setup and accountability for new port or terminal launches, including due diligence, IMS gap assessments, procedural alignment, and audit activities.
• Assist in preparing submissions for local, regional, and international awards related to excellence.
• Help ready the headquarters and terminals for maturity assessments within the AD Ports Group framework.

Qualifications and Expertise

• A bachelor’s degree in Quality Management, Engineering Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or an allied discipline.
• Professional training in Quality Assurance, Quality Systems, or Excellence Models is essential; certifications are advantageous, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and EFQM Assessor accreditation.
• Additional certifications in Six Sigma or Lean Management are preferred; PMP is also a plus.
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken; Arabic language skills are an asset.
• Between 10 and 15 years of overall professional experience, with at least 7 years dedicated to quality management, continuous improvement, and excellence frameworks.
• Previous work in sectors such as ports, logistics, infrastructure, government, or regulated industrial settings is required.
• Demonstrated expertise in IMS conception, ISO implementation, document control, internal auditing, training in QA & Excellence, process standardization, corrective action oversight, KPI management, project management principles, and exposure to new or greenfield operations.