Quality Manager

Quality Manager

Job description

Quality managers aim to ensure that the product or service an organisation provides is fit for purpose, is consistent and meets both external and internal requirements. This includes legal compliance and customer expectations. A quality manager, sometimes called a quality assurance manager, coordinates the activities required to meet quality standards.

Quality managers also monitor and advise on the performance of the quality management system, produce data and report on performance, measuring against set standards.

They liaise with other managers and staff throughout the organisation to ensure that the quality system is functioning properly. Where appropriate, the quality manager advises on changes and their implementation and provides training, tools and techniques to enable others to achieve quality.

Typical work activities

Quality managers need to be adaptable in order to meet customer expectations and to ensure legal compliance. They employ a variety of measures and management systems, including the ISO 9000, total quality management (TQM), as well as the continuous improvement process.

The work of the quality manager will be affected by the nature of the employing organisation but is likely to include some or all of the following activities:

•   Devising and establishing a company's quality procedures, standards and specifications;

•   Reviewing customer requirements and ensuring that they are met;

•   Working with purchasing staff to establish quality requirements from external suppliers;

•   Setting standards for quality as well as health and safety;

•   Making sure that manufacturing or production processes meet international and national standards;

•   Defining quality procedures in conjunction with operating staff;

•   Setting up and maintaining controls and documentation procedures;

•   Monitoring performance by gathering relevant data and producing statistical reports