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Quality Manager(specialism of Manager)

Do you want to become a Quality Manager(specialism of Manager)? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

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Quality managers are responsible for ensuring that organisations meet recognised standards regarding the quality of their products or services.

The precise nature of their work varies, according to the size of the company and the industry, although quality managers are likely to be involved in some or all of the following activities:

• reviewing current work practices to identify areas in which quality or productivity could be improved
• developing, implementing and maintaining a quality management system, typically using ISO 9001 certification as the internationally recognised standard
• planning and conducting internal audits and co-ordinating external quality audits
• co-ordinating systems to monitor client satisfaction levels
• communicating the objectives of quality programmes to staff and training them in methods and procedures
• introducing initiatives such as TQM (Total Quality Management) to help change attitudes and behaviour in order to improve quality or productivity
• promoting a philosophy of continuous improvement.

Quality managers may manage a team of people and have additional managerial responsibilities. Increasingly, quality managers are becoming involved in new product or service development, risk management and corporate social responsibility.

The hours of work vary according to the industry. For example, quality managers working for engineering companies may sometimes work shift patterns to follow working practices. Others work normal office hours. If working for national or international organisations, they may be required to travel between different offices.

Salaries for quality managers vary considerably according to the size of organisation, industry and location. They may earn from £25,000 in local government to around £50,000 if they are employed in the oil and natural gas industry.

Quality managers should:

• be good communicators with people at all levels of the organisation
• be persuasive and influential
• adopt a methodical approach, paying attention to detail
• possess analytical and problem-solving skills
• be familiar with a range of quality standards and models
• understand the importance of an organisation's customers, human resources and culture in securing its future success.

Quality managers work for a wide range of organisations from small businesses to large corporations. The Institute of Quality Assurance (IQA) estimates that there are approximately 25,000 quality managers in the UK.

There is no set route to becoming a quality manager, although many have previous management experience. For more general information about becoming a manager, see Manager.

The IQA accredits two main qualifications for quality professionals:

• Certificate in Quality Assurance - Level 3
• Diploma in Quality - Level 4.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) offers the Diploma in Quality Management (Level 4). These courses can be studied on a part-time basis. There are no set entry requirements.

The IQA provides professional recognition for quality professionals through its corporate membership.

There may be opportunities for experienced quality managers to progress to a senior management or director level position. They can also work as consultants either on a self-employed basis or with a company specialising in consultancy.

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