Louise Jones, Senior Quality Engineer
Job title: Senior Quality Engineer
Employer: Balfour Beatty Management – Kings Cross Redevelopment Project
Qualifications:
- BA (Hons) Literature and History
- Internal QMS Auditor Certificate, IRCA Certified Training Course
- ISO 9000:2000 Series Auditor/Lead Auditor, IRCA Certified Training Course
- Managing Safely in Construction IOSH
- Introduction to Management
- Environmental Management Systems Auditor/Lead Auditor Conversion Training Course
- Four modules of the CQI Diploma in Quality Management and Assurance
Institutions:
- Chartered Quality Institute, MCQI CQP
Career path:
- Trainee Quality Engineer, Balfour Beatty
- Quality Engineer, Balfour Beatty
- Senior Quality Engineer, Balfour Beatty
What does your current role involve?
Working on huge, high profile, construction projects. We can’t afford mistakes that would compromise safety or the delivery of those projects so we use a number of quality management systems to ensure everything works smoothly. Day to day, I manage business management systems and conduct staff briefings on quality, ensuring ISO standards are being met. I also advise management on quality issues and perform internal and external audits.
What’s great about being a quality professional?
The challenge. No two days are the same in quality. I love auditing - it’s like detective work. I enjoy meeting people, knowing about different aspects of the job and inputting preventative measures. Although quality is programme driven, things can always change so it is very exciting.
How did you get into quality?
About eight years ago I was temping as a secretary. When I arrived at Kings Cross they obviously liked me because I was asked to stay on and train in quality. From there I became trainee quality engineer, quality engineer and now finally senior quality engineer. I worked really hard to get to where I am today, and didn’t have a social life for many years.
Any tips for pursuing a quality career?
You need to believe in it. I believe ISO adds value to an organisation. The best thing to do is to get auditing. There is no point being in quality unless you have an auditing qualification. If there is currently no funding for auditing training, just go and observe. During the auditing process you get to see people working within the discipline and people are the chief resource in quality. Otherwise you can find yourself living too much in the theory of quality.