What Does a Quality Control Specialist Do?

Quality control specialists are responsible for ensuring that the products and services produced by their company meet a certain standard of quality. They commonly work in manufacturing or industrial settings where there is an emphasis on consistency and precision.

Quality control specialists may be tasked with inspecting raw materials, finished goods, or production equipment to ensure they meet specific standards. They may also perform tests or experiments to determine how best to improve product quality in the future.

Quality Control Specialist Job Duties

Quality control specialists have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Ensuring that all products meet quality standards by testing them to identify defects or measuring them to ensure that they meet legal requirements
• Monitoring equipment performance to ensure that they continue to function correctly
• Assisting with product development by providing feedback on design features and usability
• Communicating with vendors about product specifications and delivery schedules
• Recommending changes in methods or materials to improve product quality or yield
• Reviewing records of incoming raw materials to ensure that they meet specifications for use in production
• Recording data about production processes for use in developing quality control standards for future production runs
• Conducting routine inspections of work areas for potential hazards such as chemical spills or improper electrical wiring
• Reporting any quality issues to supervisors for corrective action

Quality Control Specialist Salary & Outlook

Quality control specialists’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the company size and industry. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses.

• Median Annual Salary: $51,500 ($24.76/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $115,000 ($55.29/hour)

The employment of quality control specialists is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for quality control specialists will be driven by the need to ensure that products and services are safe, reliable, and of high quality. Quality control specialists will be needed to ensure that products and services meet the needs of customers and regulatory requirements.

Quality Control Specialist Job Requirements

A quality control specialist typically needs to have the following:

Education: Most quality control specialists have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in quality assurance, engineering or a related field. Relevant coursework includes quality assurance, statistics, engineering, mathematics, chemistry and biology.

Training & Experience: Quality control specialists receive on-the-job training to learn the specific processes and procedures of their role. This training may include shadowing current quality control specialists or performing duties under the supervision of a current quality control specialist until they are comfortable enough to complete tasks on their own.

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications are not usually a requirement as a quality control specialist, but they can make you a more competitive candidate when applying for jobs.

Quality Control Specialist Skills

Quality control specialists need the following skills in order to be successful:

Attention to detail: Quality control specialists must have excellent attention to detail to ensure they notice any errors or inconsistencies in a product. This can include checking the quality of the product’s design, the materials used and the final product. You may also need to check the quality of the production process to ensure the product was made correctly.

Communication skills: Quality control specialists communicate with many people in their jobs, including other quality control specialists, engineers, managers and clients. Effective communication skills, including written and verbal communication, can help you succeed in this role. You may also need to communicate complex information to clients and customers, so it’s important to be able to explain technical information in an easy-to-understand way.

Problem-solving skills: Quality control specialists use their problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues in production. They use their problem-solving skills to identify the source of a problem, develop a solution and implement the solution. Quality control specialists use their problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues in the quality of the product. They use their problem-solving skills to identify the source of the issue, develop a solution and implement the solution.

Knowledge of industry standards: Quality control specialists use industry standards to ensure the quality of a product or service meets the expectations of the company. They use their knowledge of industry standards to develop quality control plans and check the quality of a product or service. Quality control specialists also use their knowledge of industry standards to identify areas for improvement and develop solutions to improve the quality of a product or service.

Ability to work under pressure: Quality control specialists often work in fast-paced environments where they may be required to complete multiple tasks in a short period of time. Working under pressure can help you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively.

Quality Control Specialist Work Environment

Quality control specialists work in a variety of settings, including factories, offices, and laboratories. They typically work regular hours, although they may be required to work overtime to meet deadlines or to complete projects. Some quality control specialists may travel to different locations to conduct on-site inspections. The work can be stressful, as quality control specialists are often under pressure to find and correct errors. They must pay close attention to detail and be able to work independently.

Quality Control Specialist Trends

Here are three trends influencing how quality control specialists work. Quality control specialists will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Automation

The need for more automation is a trend that is quickly gaining traction in the manufacturing industry. This is because automation can help to streamline processes and reduce costs, which is especially important in today’s economy.

As businesses look for ways to become more efficient, they are increasingly turning to automation as a solution. This means that quality control specialists will need to be familiar with automated systems and how to use them effectively.

More Focus on Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is a key concept in the world of business today. As competition becomes fiercer, companies are looking for new and innovative ways to improve their products and services.

Quality control specialists can play a critical role in this process by helping to identify areas for improvement and developing solutions to address them. They can also work to ensure that all aspects of a product or service meet the highest standards.

Greater Attention to Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance is becoming an increasingly important issue for businesses across all industries. This is due to the fact that regulatory agencies are placing greater emphasis on ensuring that businesses are following the rules and meeting the requirements set out by law.

As a quality control specialist, you can play a crucial role in helping your company stay compliant with regulations. This may involve conducting audits, reviewing documents, and providing training to employees.

How to Become a Quality Control Specialist

A quality control specialist career can be a great way to start your career in the manufacturing industry. As a QC specialist, you’ll have the opportunity to work on a variety of products and processes, which will give you a well-rounded experience in the manufacturing field. You’ll also learn how to identify and correct problems that may arise during the manufacturing process, which is an important skill for any engineer or technician to have.

To become a quality control specialist, you’ll need to have a strong background in math and science. You should also be able to think critically and be able to problem solve when issues arise. Additionally, it’s important to be able to work independently and be able to meet deadlines.

Advancement Prospects

Quality control specialists typically start out in entry-level positions and advance to positions of greater responsibility over time. Some may advance to supervisory or managerial positions, or they may move into other occupations such as quality assurance or quality engineering.

With experience, quality control specialists may become certified in their occupation. Certification can demonstrate competence and may lead to career advancement. Some quality control specialists may also choose to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in quality control, engineering, or business administration to further their career.

Quality Control Specialist Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we are committed to providing our customers with products of the highest quality. To ensure that our products meet or exceed customer expectations, we are looking for a Quality Control Specialist to join our team. The Quality Control Specialist will be responsible for conducting inspections and tests on our products to ensure that they meet our quality standards. He or she will also be responsible for documenting and reporting any issues that are found. The ideal candidate will have experience working in quality control, as well as strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Inspect materials and products for defects or deviations from specifications
• Examine in-process production to ensure that procedures are being followed and that products meet specifications
• Investigate customer complaints regarding quality
• Recommend improvements in production methods, staffing, equipment, etc. to improve product quality
• Maintain detailed records of inspections and test results
• Prepare detailed reports on findings
• Train other QC personnel
• May develop and implement inspection criteria, sampling plans, and statistical techniques
• May specialize in areas such as incoming material, in-process production, final product, packaging, etc.
• May use automated systems to record data
• Perform calibration and maintenance checks on testing equipment
• Stay up-to-date on new industry standards and quality control best practices

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in quality control, engineering, or related field
• 5+ years experience in quality control or quality assurance
• Working knowledge of quality control tools and methodologies (e.g. Six Sigma)
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in quality control, engineering, or related field
• 7+ years experience in quality control or quality assurance
• Leadership experience
• Certification in quality control (e.g. ASQ CQE)
• Experience with statistical analysis software (e.g. Minitab)