| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Quality |
| Level | Manager |
| Reports to | General Manager Quality or Head of Quality |
| Direct reports | Quality Engineer, ISO Coordinator, Process Quality Engineer |
| Experience | 8 to 12 years in quality assurance, with systems and audit experience |
Quality Assurance Manager job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Quality Assurance Manager
Department: Quality
Reports to: General Manager Quality or Head of Quality
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Quality Assurance Manager builds and runs the systems that prevent defects. They own process controls, documentation, control plans, corrective and preventive action, supplier approval and customer quality requirements. Unlike quality control, which inspects the product, QA makes sure the process is capable and standardised so quality is built in. In an Indian plant the QA manager drives audits, non-conformance management and continuous improvement, keeps the quality management system alive, and works with production, design and supply chain so defects are prevented rather than caught at the end.
Key responsibilities
- Own the quality management system, procedures and documentation and keep them current and followed.
- Build control plans, process controls and quality standards so quality is built into the process.
- Run the corrective and preventive action process and drive issues to real closure.
- Manage non-conformance, deviation and change control with clear records.
- Lead internal audits and host customer and certification audits.
- Approve suppliers with the supplier quality team and set incoming quality requirements.
- Translate customer specific requirements into internal controls and checks.
- Drive process capability studies and improvement to reduce variation.
- Analyse quality data and complaints for systemic issues and lead improvement projects.
- Train teams on quality systems, tools and their role in preventing defects.
Requirements
- B.E. or B.Tech in an engineering discipline
- Lead auditor or Six Sigma certification
- Knowledge of the relevant quality standard for the industry
- 8 to 12 years in quality assurance, with systems and audit experience
KRAs and KPIs for a Quality Assurance Manager
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| System health | Quality management system audits cleared with no major non-conformity |
| CAPA effectiveness | Corrective actions closed on time and verified effective, repeat issues reduced |
| Process capability | Key process capability indices meet the agreed target |
| Supplier approval | Suppliers approved with quality requirements before regular supply |
| Customer requirements | Customer specific requirements built into controls with no missed clause |
| Improvement | Planned quality improvement projects delivered with measurable defect reduction |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Quality management system (QMS), SPC and capability software, APQP and PPAP tools, Audit management tools, MS Excel.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: General Manager Quality, Head of Quality, Quality Manager
Interview questions for a Quality Assurance Manager
- How do you make sure a corrective action prevents the defect rather than just logging it?
- How do you translate a customer specific requirement into shop-floor controls?
- Walk me through a process capability study you have run.
- How do you keep the quality management system alive rather than a document set?
- How do you approve a new supplier for a critical part?
- How do you prioritise improvement projects with limited resources?
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What does a quality assurance manager do?
A quality assurance manager builds and runs the systems that prevent defects. They own the quality management system, control plans, corrective and preventive action, supplier approval and customer requirements. They lead audits, manage non-conformance and change control, drive process capability and improvement, and make sure quality is built into the process rather than caught at the end.
What is the difference between quality assurance and quality control?
Quality assurance prevents defects by building capable, standardised processes, systems and documentation. Quality control catches defects by inspecting and testing the product. QA is proactive and process-focused, while QC is reactive and product-focused. A QA manager owns systems and prevention, while a QC manager owns inspection and release.
What qualifications does a QA manager need?
A B.E. or B.Tech in engineering is the usual base, with a lead auditor or Six Sigma certification and knowledge of the industry's quality standard. Employers expect several years in quality assurance, with hands-on experience in the quality management system, audits, corrective action and process capability, plus the ability to work across production and design.