The job profile of a Quality Manager is checkered and entails a lot of responsibilities. The person basically has to inspect and check the finished goods that depart from the factory. But apart from final inspection, the person has to do a lot of other things also. His/her responsibilities include checking each and every aspect of plant manufacturing. Thus, the work starts right from the purchase of raw materials. It continues during the processing of raw materials and ends with the finished product. The job is to inspect and check the quality of materials and retain the specified standards both as per the industry and the requirements of the job. It is also his responsibility to set standards and stick to them. Continuous improvement is yet another objective of a Quality Manager. He/she plays a crucial role in implementing the latest production techniques and management tools like Six Sigma and learning to improve and standardize the entire manufacturing process. He/she has to implement and maintain international certifications like ISO and regularly check if the goods manufactured adhere to a specified standard and also check whether other amenities are also up to the mark. He/she identifies the areas where improvement is required and documents them. His/her continual effort is put in to improve the existing quality system. He/she also assesses the effectiveness of the changes made. But the primary function of any Quality Manager is to test, inspect, and sample the goods manufactured in a manufacturing plant.
Since a Quality Manager is a position that is basically found in manufacturing companies and other production units, the qualifications required are mainly technical. An undergraduate degree in engineering would be the ideal degree that a company employing personnel in such a position would look forward to. Apart from that, a degree in statistics is also desirable. One may even acquire a degree in production and join a manufacturing company as a Quality Manager.
Since this position demands that the incumbent be proficient in a lot of aspects, the range of skill sets is also large. Apart from having sound knowledge in the concerned technical aspects, one should also have a statistical bent of mind so as to do the sampling efficiently. Fast learning and easy adaptability are also prerequisites to this job. One has to be diligent and should keep oneself continually updated about the latest techniques and other quality standards. He/she should have good analytical skills so that he/she is able to find out the sources of problems and eradicate them. One should be an excellent communicator and be good at negotiating.
Training in this field is best acquired on the job since the real time exposure adds invaluable experience. There are quite a few organizations that offer certificates and one may opt for one of those certifications. The American Society of Quality is one such institution that offers such courses. But one can not do without being involved in a manufacturing firm and get relevant exposure to the actual situation.
Manufacturing companies mostly promote their production managers to this post. Though prior experience is not mandatory, yet it is always an added advantage in one's resume. Any experience or training in the field of production enables you to settle in a new job in no time without any hassle.
The job of a Quality Manager is a highly specialized one and thus the career prospects are also really bright. One may be promoted to the ranks of Production Manager and subsequently General Manger and may even become the Director in the course of time. The position is not at all a stagnating one and promises to be a great career option.
The salary of such a specialized job is not meager. The median salary of a typical Quality Manager is around $71,000 annually. The range is also quite huge. Basically the salary is commensurate to the sector, experience, academic qualifications, and expertise.
The job of a Quality Manager is not limited to just inspecting, sampling, or testing finished products but is much more than that. It is the Quality Manager who works diligently and perhaps more than any one else in the entire organization to improve the quality of the goods manufactured. Nowadays, the position has become popular in the services sector as well. All Call Centers have such positions to check the quality of assistance provided by their customer care executives. Last but not the least it is the Quality Manager who helps the organization attain its goals related to quality both on a short term as well as long term basis.
