Quality assurance managers are responsible for ensuring a product's quality is up to standard and safe for consumers. They are involved in every phase from development to production to packaging. Standards are set by federal and state law, as well as by their companies. When products lack the desired quality, the quality assurance manager must make the decisions necessary to increase the quality of the product. This may even include halting production until the issue is resolved.
Quality assurance managers preside over a team that includes quality assurance engineers, machine operators, packagers, and other employees involved in producing an item. They usually report to the general manager of a manufacturing plant, their typical work environment. Tools used on the job include typical office supplies, as well as safety equipment when necessary. They typically work during regular business hours, although their hours may vary depending on when a company is in production. Some companies continuously produce items, so sometimes they may work overnight or during the weekend; however, this is rare.
Requirements for this job vary from company to company. Companies typically desire a bachelor's or even master's degree in engineering or business management, sometimes specializing in the produced product. They must also have prior management experience, usually in production.
Quality Assurance Manager Tasks
- Develop and maintain quality assurance standards and processes.
- Manage quality improvement activities.
- Create common business specific quality measurements and track improvement against these metrics.