Quality Assurance Manager
Job Description:Quality assurance managers make sure a company's products and services meet and maintain set standards.
Job Category:What you will do:
Quality managers work in most industries including fashion and textiles, construction, and the health sector. You may work for large companies, public sector organisations, or management consultancies.
Typically, you’ll be:
- using quality methods and software to analyse and improve quality or productivity
- reviewing existing policies and planning how to improve quality management systems (QMS)
- looking at any areas of weakness and recommending ways to improve
- inspecting and testing products and production processes
- measuring performance and making sure policies and procedures meet national and international quality standards
- training staff
- reviewing and assessing the effectiveness of change
- managing a team of quality control technicians
Skills:
You’ll need:
- business management skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
As well as:
- the ability to analyse quality or performance
- be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisational skills)
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
- concentration skills
- leadership skills
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions (adaptability)
Entry Requirements:
Becoming a Quality Assurance Manager generally doesn’t require specific GCSE subjects, but a strong foundation in certain subjects and skills can be beneficial for your education and career in quality assurance and management. Quality Assurance Managers are responsible for ensuring that products and processes meet high standards, and they often work in manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and other industries. Here are some GCSE subjects and skills that can be helpful:
- Mathematics: Strong mathematical skills are important for data analysis and statistical quality control methods.
- Science: A basic understanding of scientific principles and the scientific method can be helpful for understanding quality control processes and conducting experiments or tests.
- English Language: Effective communication skills are essential for creating quality assurance reports, documentation, and for collaborating with colleagues and superiors.
- Business Studies: Knowledge of business principles, including quality management concepts, can be valuable for understanding the business aspects of quality assurance.
- IT or Computer Science: Many quality assurance processes are now technology-driven, so familiarity with computer systems, data analysis tools, and quality management software can be advantageous.
- Statistics: If your school offers GCSE-level statistics, this can be be particularly valuable, as statistical analysis is a fundamental part of quality control.
- Design and Technology: Some aspects of quality assurance involve understanding manufacturing processes and materials, so a foundation in design and technology can be beneficial.
Post School
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:
- production management
- business studies
- human resources management
- business administration
You may need a degree that is specific to the industry you want to work in, like:
- science
- construction
- engineering
- pharmaceuticals
Apprenticeship
The following apprenticeship may be relevant to this role:
- A quality practitioner
This apprenticeship typically takes 14 months to complete.
You could work in any kind of industry or sector that has quality control processes.
Work
You could work as a quality control assistant and move into quality assurance management by doing training on the job.
Direct Application
You could apply for jobs directly if you’ve got experience in quality control and management from other industries.
Working Hours and Environment:
You’ll usually standard work office hours Monday to Friday for 37-39 hours a week. In manufacturing, you might work shifts covering 7 days a week. Fixed-term contracts are common for project work.
You’ll be based in an office, but in manufacturing, you might spend time checking work in a quality control lab or on a factory production line.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience, you could move into senior management or work as a freelance consultant.
Other options include careers in health and safety, project management and business analysis.