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Quality assurance manager

Alternative titles for this job include Quality manager, quality control manager, quality inspector

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

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£55,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a quality assurance manager

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

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

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

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

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.

Direct Application

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

More Information

Career tips

An understanding of British quality standards and working methods will be useful when applying for jobs in quality control.

Knowledge of business improvement methods like lean management and Six Sigma will also be helpful.

Further information

You can find out more about working in quality management through the Chartered Quality Institute.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

You could work in a factory, in an office or visit sites.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear smart business clothes.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Quality Engineer Apprentice

  • Wage: £21,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Eastfield, Scarborough

Higher Level Quality Assurance Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £18,809.00 Annually
  • Location: Devonport, Plymouth

Courses In England

L4 AWARD IN THE INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE OF ASSESSMENT

  • Provider: HAVERING LONDON BOROUGH COUNCIL
  • Start date: 26 April 2024
  • Location: Rainham

Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice - Level 4

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 07 May 2024
  • Location: Blackpool

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