If you are applying for the post of a quality manager, you should understand that it is not an easy task. First, you should try to figure out your interest. Different industries have different requirements for a quality manager. For example, the job profile of a quality manager in a company manufacturing air conditioners would be significantly different from a company that is engaged building construction despite the fact that both companies require stringent quality control measures at each stage of production.
The purpose of a quality manager is to ensure that the services of an organization takes in various aspects of the business like conforming to legal schedules and meets the requirements of customers. Also known as the quality assurance manager, the role of the person in question is to coordinate the activities that are required to cater to the standards of quality.
The primary responsibility of quality manager is to ensure product compliance with industry standards to further ensure that they meet the customer demands regarding the product or services. Thus, he is required to coordinate with various departments in the company and inspect the quality of the products which could be software, food items, garments, electronics, machinery, etc. Quality checks are achieved by physical and computer-generated verification. There are the set indicators or parameters mentioned, according to which the quality manager is required to evaluate the service and prepare report based on performance. Additionally, the quality manager ensures effective communication between the management and the staff, or advises on changes required, providing tools and training for achievement of quality.
A person applying for the post of Quality Manager should have a bachelor's degree, preferably in science. Other subjects of specialization may incorporate physics, mathematics or applied science, business management, textile or polymer technology, among others. Moreover, you need to have the specific certificate or license as required by the industry in which you are applying. Relevant diplomas are also valuable in the field. Although a post grad degree is not mandatory, having one will significantly improve your chances of bagging the job. Additionally, it will give you sound knowledge in quality management in a particular sector. In addition to the academic qualifications and the experience in the relevant field, the person applying for the post of Quality Manager should have sound knowledge of ISO 9001 or ISO 9000 standards.
The Quality Manager should be conversant with use of several aspects to perform his duty effectively. He should be skilled in systems auditing and performance based auditing. Other than that, the Quality Manager is required to be communicative, persuasive, and influential, have good interpersonal abilities, and must be able to solve issues readily. They also need to be organizational, with proficiency with numbers and numerical data. Teamwork should be compliant with appreciating various disciplines and work cultures.
Apart from this, a quality manager should have administrative skills and be meticulous by nature. He should be hard working, as he will need to strictly adhere to the procedures and policies of the company. Computer literacy is a must as it is required at various stages in quality check.
Most of the companies require an experience of at least 3 years from the candidates. The experience should be at the supervisory level or in the management cadre, in a similar industry.
The job of a quality manager requires experience. Hence, they are well paid. The average salary of a quality manager would be around $72,000. However, this varies according to experience and industry. The job of a quality manager is stressful, requiring maintenance of stringent controls. Travel and absences from home are added features.
With more stress on quality products and services owing to immense competition, the jobs of quality managers are on rise. If you are employed in a large organization, look forward to spreading your finesse to various departments; for small businesses, you can rapidly expand your scope by specializing in a particular aspect of the mechanism.
