Catherine's STORY

What do you do and where do you do it?

I work at National Gas as a Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer, conducting autonomous review and verification of our vendors to demonstrate their capabilities and competency. My specific product group includes Main Works Contractors and their suppliers who provide a broad range of services including civils, welding / fabrication, scaffolding, consultancy, cladding, demolition etc.

As a Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer, I manage the process of taking suppliers / contractors through our qualification process which includes liaising with our Procurement and Engineering departments to ensure compliance to our requirements from financial / legal, quality assurance and technical perspectives.

To commence the vendor qualification process, our suppliers / contractors are required to complete a form that includes descriptive details of their quality management systems, health and safety, non-conformance reporting, resource management etc. The main purpose of this self-assessment is for the vendor to not only demonstrate they document a QMS but are able to articulate its application and provide assurance of implementation within their processes. I conduct a desktop review prior to undertaking an in-depth, on-site audit of the vendors’ QMS and processes to review, verify and confirm their written responses.

My role is remote (home based) with national and international travel required to our suppliers to undertake audits and assessments as part of our qualification process.

Why is your role important? Why is it important to the company/ the people of the UK/ the UK economy?

The National Gas Transmission System (NTS) is considered a critical part of the UK’s national infrastructure. It plays a key role in maintaining energy security for Great Britain by transporting gas from entry points to power stations, industrial plants, storage facilities, and local Gas Distribution Networks.

As a Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer my role provides a layer of assurance through prequalification of our supply chain prior to deployment of the vendors product or service on to the NTS.

With our process focusing on a vendor’s quality management systems and technical capability, National Gas can have greater confidence that the products being installed on our National Transmission System and the services supporting the operation and maintenance of our assets are provided by competent suppliers and contractors. This ensures the safety of our assets and guarantees that gas flows safely to all communities. Additionally, our process demonstrates due diligence and retains documented evidence of compliance, as required by various regulatory legislation.

Which parts of the job do you enjoy most / find most rewarding?

I enjoy learning from our suppliers and contractors and the innovative methods they use to implement their Quality Management System. I also feel great satisfaction when I have contributed to the development of a supplier or contractor that is beginning their journey of implementing their Quality Management Systems to deliver to NG. My role not only ensures high standards but also fosters growth and improvement within the industry.

What path did you use to get to the position you hold today?

I have a BSc (Hons) in International Business which provided a strong foundation in global trade, business strategies, and market dynamics, and contributed to securing a role in NG Procurement. Transitioning to a Supplier Quality Assurance role felt like a natural progression, allowing me to leverage my procurement experience while focusing on maintaining and improving quality standards.

What did you do before?

My career really started when I joined National Grid as a contractor in Procurement. Once becoming a permanent member of the Procurement team, I developed my skills for 6 years before I began collaborating with the Supplier Quality Assurance team for some of the tenders I was conducting within the Gas side of the business, (prior to separation of National Gas from National Grid). This piqued my interest in the activities of the SQA team and was pleased when the Team invited me to apply for a position within Supplier QA. I was successful and moved across to the Team to develop my skills as a Supplier Quality Assurance professional and have never looked back.

What attracted you to join the energy and utilities sector?

All utilities sector companies are essential for the functioning of the economy. Being part of National Gas, I know the importance of the work we do and the service we provide to the UK. It is an evolving sector and offers a degree of job security.

Why is your current position better/ more satisfying?

The hands-on aspect of my role is great, getting to see firsthand how suppliers and contractors implement their quality management systems. 

Knowing my contributions have a significant impact on the safety and reliability of the National Transmission System, makes the role feel worthwhile and is incredibly fulfilling.

What do you think of the career prospects? Have you had much training and development?

For my role as Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer, I have developed new auditing skills and successfully achieved the ISO 9001 Internal Auditor, ISO 9001 Lead Auditor and Quality in Construction certifications. These have all deepened my understanding of QA and why each requirement is essential for vendor compliance and competency and for the safety and reliability of the National Transmission System.

What does an average day consist of?

An average day could consist of reviewing the written submissions from our suppliers and contractors, liaising with Procurement and Engineering teams to progress qualifications and following up on any open actions with our suppliers and contractors to close any gaps in their compliance to our requirements.

When desk-top reviews are complete, my day consists of travelling to our suppliers and contractors facilities, wherever they are located, to undertake on-site audits.

Would you recommend your job to a friend and why?

Yes, it is a good role for developing yourself from a professional and personal perspective and learning best practice from a broad array of Team members, other NG Departments, suppliers and contractors.