Quality manager : Job description

Quality managers aims to ensure that the product or service an organisation provides is fit for purpose and meets both external and internal requirements, including 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 QA 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

Since maintaining quality demands adaptation to customer expectations, quality managers employ a variety of measures to place quality at the heart of an organisation. These include management systems such as ISO 9000, management concepts such as total quality management, and methodologies such 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;
• preparing clear explanatory documents such as customers' charters.