Quality Control Systems Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.
Tasks Include:
- Direct product testing activities throughout production cycles.
- Monitor performance of quality control systems to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
- Oversee workers including supervisors, inspectors, or laboratory workers engaged in testing activities.
- Analyze quality control test results and provide feedback and interpretation to production management or staff.
- Communicate quality control information to all relevant organizational departments, outside vendors, or contractors.
- Confer with marketing and sales departments to define client requirements and expectations.
- Create and implement inspection and testing criteria or procedures.
- Direct the tracking of defects, test results, or other regularly reported quality control data.
- Document testing procedures, methodologies, or criteria.
- Identify critical points in the manufacturing process and specify sampling procedures to be used at these points.
- Identify quality problems or areas for improvement and recommend solutions.
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: - 5.5%
National: + 9.1%
Education
No Data
Job Zone:
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Average Earnings:
National
$95,660.00
State
$99,180.00
Regional
Quality Control Systems Managers
Description
| Career Cluster: | Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
|
Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Quality Control Systems Managers
Tasks
Tasks Include:
- Direct product testing activities throughout production cycles.
- Monitor performance of quality control systems to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
- Oversee workers including supervisors, inspectors, or laboratory workers engaged in testing activities.
- Analyze quality control test results and provide feedback and interpretation to production management or staff.
- Communicate quality control information to all relevant organizational departments, outside vendors, or contractors.
- Confer with marketing and sales departments to define client requirements and expectations.
- Create and implement inspection and testing criteria or procedures.
- Direct the tracking of defects, test results, or other regularly reported quality control data.
- Document testing procedures, methodologies, or criteria.
- Identify critical points in the manufacturing process and specify sampling procedures to be used at these points.
- Identify quality problems or areas for improvement and recommend solutions.
- Instruct staff in quality control and analytical procedures.
- Instruct vendors or contractors on quality guidelines, testing procedures, or ways to eliminate deficiencies.
- Monitor development of new products to help identify possible problems for mass production.
- Participate in the development of product specifications.
- Produce reports regarding nonconformance of products or processes, daily production quality, root cause analyses, or quality trends.
- Review and update standard operating procedures or quality assurance manuals.
- Review quality documentation necessary for regulatory submissions and inspections.
- Verify that raw materials, purchased parts or components, in-process samples, and finished products meet established testing and inspection standards.
- Audit and inspect subcontractor facilities including external laboratories.
- Collect and analyze production samples to evaluate quality.
- Coordinate the selection and implementation of quality control equipment such as inspection gauges.
- Evaluate new testing and sampling methodologies or technologies to determine usefulness.
- Generate and maintain quality control operating budgets.
- Review and approve quality plans submitted by contractors.
- Review statistical studies, technological advances, or regulatory standards and trends to stay abreast of issues in the field of quality control.
- Stop production if serious product defects are present.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Quality Control Systems Managers
Special Requirements
Because of the diversity of manufacturing operations and job requirements, there is no standard preparation for this occupation. Most employers prefer to hire workers with a college degree. Experience in some part of production operations is also usually is required also.
Education and training:
Many industrial production managers have a college degree in business administration, management, industrial technology, or industrial engineering. However, although employers may prefer candidates with a business or engineering background, some companies will hire well-rounded graduates from other fields who are willing to spend time in a production-related job, because experience in some aspect of production operations is needed before one advances to upper management positions.
Some industrial production managers enter the occupation after working their way up through the ranks, starting as production workers and then advancing to supervisory positions before being selected for management. These workers already have an intimate knowledge of the production process and the firm's organization. To increase one’s chances of promotion, workers can expand their skills by obtaining a college degree, demonstrating leadership qualities, or taking company-sponsored courses to learn the additional skills needed in management positions.
As production operations become more sophisticated, an increasing number of employers are looking for candidates with graduate degrees in industrial management or business administration, particularly for positions at larger plants where managers have more oversight responsibilities. Combined with an undergraduate degree in engineering, either of these graduate degrees is considered particularly good preparation. Managers who do not have graduate degrees often take courses in decision sciences, which provide them with techniques and statistical formulas that can be used to maximize efficiency and improve quality.
Those who enter the field directly from college or graduate school often are unfamiliar with the firm's production process. As a result, they may spend their first few months in the company's training program. These programs familiarize trainees with the production process, company policies, and the requirements of the job. In larger companies, they also may include assignments to other departments, such as purchasing and accounting. A number of companies hire college graduates as first-line supervisors and promote them to management positions later.
Other qualifications:
Today, companies are placing greater importance on a candidate's interpersonal skills. Because the job requires the ability to compromise, persuade, and negotiate, successful production managers must be well rounded and have excellent communication skills. Strong computer skills also are essential.
Industrial production managers must continually keep informed of new production technologies and management practices. Many belong to professional organizations and attend trade shows or industry conferences where new equipment is displayed and new production methods and technologies discussed.
Certification and advancement:
Some industrial production managers earn certifications that show their competency in various quality and management systems. Although certification is not required for industrial production manager jobs, it may improve job prospects.
One credential, Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), is offered by APICS, the Association for Operations Management, and requires passing a series of exams that cover
supply chain management, resource planning, scheduling, production operations, and strategic planning. Those certified must complete a set number of professional development activities every 3 years to maintain their certification.
The American Society for Quality offers the Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) credential. This certification is open to managers who pass an exam and who have at least 10 years of experience or education, 5 of which must be in a decision-making position. It is intended for managers who lead process improvement initiatives. To maintain certification, workers must complete a set number of professional development units every 3 years.
For more information on skills and abilities required please see: CAREER GUIDE FOR INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER
There are other certifications that may help one to succeed in this career. For a list of other certifications, please see: iseek Careers Certifications
Required Fees:
American Society for Quality:
|
Exam fee (members)
|
$300.00
|
|
Exam fee (non-members)
|
$450.00
|
|
Exam retake fee
|
$265.00
|
Association for Operations Management:
|
CPIM exams (members)
|
$120.00 each
|
|
CPIM exams (non-members)
|
$155.00 each
|
|
Certification maintenance (members)
|
$75.00
|
|
Certification maintenance (non-members)
|
$150.00
|
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.
Quality Control Systems Managers
Work Values
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 72.17 | Support | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
| 66.67 | Achievement | Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
| 66.67 | Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
| 61.17 | Recognition | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. |
| 58.33 | Working Conditions | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
| 50.00 | Relationships | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Quality Control Systems Managers
Earnings Benefits
| Region | Entry Level | Average | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $53,130.00 | $96,370.00 | $148,670.00 |
| Virginia | $55,850.00 | $99,180.00 | $148,660.00 |
| Region | Entry Level | Average | Experienced |
| Bay Consortium | $57,960.53 | $91,173.61 | $138,707.14 |
| Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $58,137.55 | $109,166.98 | No Data |
| Central VA/Region2000 | $62,241.39 | $94,766.62 | $136,896.47 |
| Crater Area | $63,295.42 | $106,182.92 | $167,774.90 |
| Greater Peninsula | $65,753.48 | $107,278.42 | $150,002.05 |
| Hampton Roads | $54,071.14 | $88,825.82 | $135,844.46 |
| New River/Mt. Rogers | $52,101.66 | $90,873.18 | $139,360.60 |
| Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington | $64,548.73 | $103,967.64 | $145,706.02 |
| Piedmont Workforce | $61,979.40 | $93,315.05 | $148,934.87 |
| Shenandoah Valley | $46,275.16 | $84,691.63 | $135,390.28 |
| South Central | $50,830.15 | $116,470.34 | No Data |
| Southwestern Virginia | $49,856.03 | $81,428.38 | $106,178.87 |
| West Piedmont | $44,748.74 | $82,998.30 | $133,820.36 |
| Western Virginia | $55,593.52 | $92,870.98 | $137,307.16 |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.
Quality Control Systems Managers
Employment Projections
| National | 2010 | 2020 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 150,300 | 164,000 | + 9.1% |
| State | 2008 | 2018 | % Change |
| Virginia | 2,350 | 2,220 | - 5.5% |
| Region | 2008 | 2018 | % Change |
| Bay Consortium | 77 | 76 | - 1.3% |
| Capital Region Workforce Partnership | 337 | 308 | - 8.6% |
| Central VA/Region2000 | 118 | 107 | - 9.3% |
| Crater Area | 82 | 74 | - 9.8% |
| Greater Peninsula | 164 | 148 | - 9.8% |
| Hampton Roads | 258 | 246 | - 4.7% |
| New River/Mt. Rogers | 233 | 215 | - 7.7% |
| Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington | 270 | 272 | + 0.7% |
| Piedmont Workforce | 75 | 71 | - 5.3% |
| Shenandoah Valley | 362 | 336 | - 7.2% |
| South Central | 62 | 57 | - 8.1% |
| Southwestern Virginia | 48 | 47 | - 2.1% |
| West Piedmont | 101 | 96 | - 5.0% |
| Western Virginia | 194 | 176 | - 9.3% |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Workforce Connection.
Quality Control Systems Managers
View Videos
The following videos are available for this occupation:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (4.20 Mb)
- Industrial Production Managers (2.99 Mb)
Macromedia Flash is required for viewing the videos. If you do not have the Flash plugin, it is freely available for download.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.
Quality Control Systems Managers
Military Training
The following military job classifications are available for this occupation:
- Aviation Maintenance and Allied
- Ordnance
- Procurement and Production
- Ship Construction and Maintenance
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center.
Quality Control Systems Managers
Titles
- Quality Assurance Coordinator
- Quality Control Director
- Quality Control Manager
- Quality Control Microbiology Supervisor
- Quality Control Supervisor
- Quality Control Systems Manager
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Quality Control Systems Managers
Related Schools
- Argosy University-Washington D.C.
- Averett University
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