Quality assurance manager

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:

• production management
• business studies
• human resources management
• business administration

You may need a degree that is specific to the industry you want to work in, like:

• science
• construction
• engineering
• pharmaceuticals

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeship may be relevant to this role:

• level 4 Quality practitioner

This apprenticeship typically takes 14 months to complete.

You could work in any kind of industry or sector that has quality control processes.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could work as a quality control assistant and move into quality assurance management by doing training on the job, for example through the Chartered Quality Institute .

DirectApplication

You could apply for jobs directly if you've got experience in quality control and management from other industries.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• concentration skills
• business management skills
• leadership skills
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• maths knowledge
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• administration skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• active listening skills
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Quality assurance managers make sure a company's products and services meet and maintain set standards.

You day to day tasks will vary depending on the sector you work in. You could:

• use quality assurance software to analyse and improve standards
• review policies and plan how to improve quality management systems
• inspect and test products and production processes
• measure performance and recommend improvements
• make sure policies and procedures meet national and international quality standards
• assess the effectiveness of changes to processes or production
• manage a team of quality control technicians
• train staff

Location : You could work in a factory, in an office or visit sites.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Uniform : You may need to wear smart business clothes.

Salary:

Starter : £23,000
Experienced : £55,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm on shifts

Career Path:

You could move into senior management or work as a freelance quality consultant.

Other options include careers in health and safety, project management and business analysis.