Saqib Zia

PROFILE SUMMARY

· Employed as a Saudi Aramco-approved QA Manager with nearly 28 years of progressive leadership in quality assurance and control across oil & gas, petrochemical, and power sectors, overseeing full-cycle QA/QC execution from engineering design to commissioning for multi-billion-dollar EPC projects.

· Mastery in implementing ISO 9001:2015, SAEP standards, Schedule Q, and GI-2.710 while leading root-cause analysis, NCR closure, vendor audits, and third-party inspections to achieve zero-rework mechanical completion and RFI rejection rates below 1.5%.

· Excelled in building high-performance QA teams, conducting ISO lead audits, managing IAP/PIM processes, and delivering MQR, PMCC, and PRB documentation packages to secure client sign-off and Aramco approvals.

· Spearheaded digital QA transformation by integrating inspection databases, real-time NCR tracking, and predictive quality analytics to reduce inspection backlog by 40% and accelerate audit closure cycles.

· Directed multi-discipline shutdowns and turnarounds, ensuring LOTO compliance, nitrogen preservation, and hydro-testing integrity while mentoring national inspectors and achieving 100% Saudization in QC roles.

· Proficient in leveraging CSWIP 3.1, ASME IX, API, and ASTM codes alongside Lean Six Sigma to drive continuous improvement, cost optimization and risk-based quality decision-making across global EPC contractors.

DOMAIN EXPERTISE

· EPC Quality Leadership & Aramco Compliance: Recognized authority in establishing Schedule Q-compliant QA frameworks for Sadara, Wasit, Jizan IGCC, and Riyadh PP10 projects. Expert in orchestrating 15%/60% contractual audits, PMCC exception resolution, and SAPMT coordination to deliver mechanical completion ahead of baseline schedules.

· Vendor & Supply Chain Quality Assurance: Proven strategist in prequalifying Aramco RVL vendors, executing PIMs at international facilities, and enforcing NMR/TBE compliance to eliminate material rejections and secure TPI releases within 48 hours.

· Shutdown & Turnaround Quality Optimization: Specialized in pre-shutdown planning, preservation verification, and post-shutdown reinstatement using nitrogen purging and MIC prevention protocols, achieving zero corrosion incidents across 50+ major turnarounds.

· Digital QA Transformation & Predictive Analytics: Pioneer in deploying inspection management systems, real-time dashboards, and AI-driven nonconformity prediction models to reduce quality deviations by 35% and accelerate root-cause resolution from 14 to 3 days.

· Nationalization & Competency Development: Champion of Saudization initiatives, designing OJT curricula, competency matrices, and leadership pipelines that elevated local inspector certification rates from 60% to 98% while maintaining ISO 9001 surveillance audit excellence.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Functional Skills:

QA/QC Management | Schedule Q Compliance | SAEP-1151 / SAEP-1154 / SAEP-122 Implementation | GI-2.710 Mechanical Completion | PMCC / PRB / SAPMT Coordination | Nonconformance Report (NCR) Management | Root Cause Analysis (RCA) | Quality Control Documentation & Auditing | Process Improvement & Corrective Action Planning

Operational Skills:

Saudi Aramco Approved | ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor (IRCA Certified) | CSWIP 3.1 Welding Inspection (TWI) | B-Gas Painting Inspection | PMP (Project Management Professional) | Lean Six Sigma Champion | Quality Assurance Program Development | Compliance & Regulatory Alignment | Continuous Improvement & Performance Optimization

WORK VENTURE

 

 

Feb 2021 – Present: QA Manager at KBR-AYTB

· Quality Supervision & Compliance: Supervised all quality aspects and inspections across disciplines during shutdown phases; implemented Sadara Company requirements to ensure safe and high-quality execution; reviewed QAQC procedures for plant shutdown and maintenance activities.

· Meetings & Coordination: Participated in daily, weekly progress, and quality meetings; engaged in pre-shutdown, during, and post-shutdown activities; coordinated with auditors for 30%, 60%, and 90% engineering packages.

· Nonconformity Management: Analysed nonconformities with contractors and management, performed root cause analysis, and recommended short- or long-term corrective actions; initiated Quality Alerts, awareness sessions, toolbox talks, award recognition, and counselling to promote quality behaviour.

· Documentation & Reviews: Reviewed subcontractor project quality plans, project specifications, materials specifications, PFDs, ILDs, hydro testing diagrams, piping materials, valve selection, corrosion management, line designation tables, and NDE matrices; reviewed Schedule Q during project proposal stage on behalf of SA Inspection.

· Audits & Closure: Attended quality audits at 15% and 60% during engineering, procurement, and construction; followed up on audit reports for timely closure; reviewed material requisitions (NMR601/602/603), project quality plans per SAEP-1154, and project/record inspection books per SAEP-122.

· PMCC Support: Supported SAPMT in scheduling partial mechanical completion systems and package boundaries per GI-2.710; reviewed PMCC exception items (critical/non-critical); conducted weekly coordination and construction meetings.

· Reporting: Reviewed two-week look-ahead schedules and monthly quality management reports addressing engineering, procurement, and construction progress; conducted frequent site and laydown area visits to verify preservation actions.

 

 

Jan 2019 – Dec 2020: QA Manager at KBR-AMCDE Saudi Arabia

· Inspection Supervision & Coverage: Supervised inspections across disciplines in project phases; ensured trained, certified personnel provided adequate inspection coverage based on site loads; monitored contractor/subcontractor quality records to prevent backlogs.

· Nonconformity & Quality Promotion: Analyzed nonconformities, performed root cause analysis, and recommended corrective actions; conducted site/laydown visits for preservation verification; initiated Quality Alerts, awareness sessions, toolbox talks, awards, and counseling.

· Documentation Reviews: Reviewed Schedule Q during proposal stage; coordinated with auditors for engineering packages; reviewed project specifications, materials, PFDs, ILDs, hydro testing diagrams, piping/valve specs, corrosion programs, line tables, and NDE matrices.

· Audits & Meetings: Attended audits at 15% and 60%; participated in management review meetings; followed up on audit closures; reviewed material requisitions, project quality plans per SAEP-1154, and record books per SAEP-122.

· PMCC & Scheduling: Supported SAPMT on PMCC packages/boundaries per GI-2.710; reviewed exception items; held weekly coordination/construction meetings; reviewed look-ahead schedules and monthly reports.

· Additional Reviews: Reviewed special process submittals, organization charts per Schedule Q; attended kickoff meetings; performed/witnessed material/equipment inspections at facilities and site; monitored contractor quality systems per Schedule Q Attachment I.

· Assessments & Acceptance: Conducted focus assessments on work elements; participated in mechanical acceptance per GI-2.710; tracked quality records; assisted in reviewing drawings, specifications, quality plans, and procedures.

 

Jul 2016 – Dec 2018: QA Manager at CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY (JIZAN EPC-6)

· QA/QC Setup & Planning: Established project quality team, organization, and quality plan; developed quality manual with practices, resources, and activity sequences; set audit schedules for company/projects including client requirements.

· Bidding & Vendor Management: Supported bidding/prequalification; evaluated vendors via experience, visits, and document reviews; ensured procurement from Aramco-approved RVL; reviewed purchase requisitions, TBEs, NMRs, ITPs per SA Form 175 and SAEP-1151.

· Inspection Coordination: Convened pre-inspection meetings; approved ITPs/procedures; arranged TPI/PIM for local/overseas; managed vendor inspections across offices; issued IAPs for levels 2/3/4.

· Audits & Reporting: Provided audit schedules at 15% and 60% per Schedule Q; submitted reports and closed nonconformities; maintained NCR summaries and ensured closeouts; prepared/submitted MQR, two-week look-ahead, weekly inspection/fabrication reports, and IDRs.

· Management & Compliance: Conducted management review meetings and revised QAP; led tenders and resourcing; maintained ISO 9001; planned resources, training, and motivation; obtained Aramco inspector approvals.

· QHSE & Assurance: Established QHSE integration in work planning; oversaw comprehensive QA program; tracked/trended performance objectives and competency requirements.

Previous Work Experience

· Jul’15 – Jun’16: QA Manager at HAMTE Group, Saudi Arabia

· Dec’14 – Jun’15: QA/QC Manager at TCC Arabia, Saudi Arabia

· Dec’13 – Dec’14: QA/QC Manager at Al Sinsina Corner Contracting Company for Manifa Causeway Oil Well Project Facility, Saudi Arabia

· Jan’12 – Dec’13: QA/QC Manager at TCC Contracting Company for Wasit Gas Program (Khursaniyah), Saudi Arabia

· Mar’10 – Dec’11: QA/QC Manager at SEPCOIII Contracting Company, Saudi Arabia

· May’06 – Feb’10: QA/QC Manager at Arabian Bemco Contracting Company for Riyadh Power Plant (PP10), Saudi Arabia

· Mar’01 – Feb’06: Senior QA/QC Mechanical Inspector at T&I PSU (Testing & Inspection Support Project Services Unit), Yanbu Refinery – Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia

(1) CQM

(2) PMP

(3) ISO9001/2015 QMS Lead Auditor

(4)ISO 140001 Lead Auditor Environmental Safety

(5) CSWIP3.1

(6) BGAS Level2