What Does a Quality Controller Do?

Quality controllers 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 they monitor production processes, check for defects, and ensure that all standards are being met.

Quality control is an important part of any business because it helps ensure that consumers get what they pay for. Quality controllers help companies maintain this reputation by making sure that their products and services are consistently high-quality.

Quality Controller Job Duties

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

• Participating in meetings with other members of the team to discuss issues or problems with products or processes
• Monitoring production lines for defects in materials or workmanship
• Ensuring that all products meet manufacturing standards and specifications by conducting tests on samples taken from each batch of goods produced
• Conducting tests on materials to ensure they meet safety standards for use in products
• Inspecting incoming raw materials to ensure that they meet quality standards
• Working with engineers and designers to ensure that designs can be manufactured efficiently and cost effectively
• Performing checks on products at various stages of the manufacturing process to ensure compliance with standards and regulations
• Testing the functionality of products to ensure they meet requirements for safety and durability
• Ensuring that all legal requirements are met by conducting inspections of facilities and equipment

Quality Controller Salary & Outlook

Quality controllers’ 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: $45,500 ($21.88/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $85,000 ($40.87/hour)

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

Demand for quality control will continue to increase as companies seek to improve their products and services and reduce costs. Quality control allows companies to maintain high standards while reducing costs.

Related: Quality Controller Interview Questions and Answers

Quality Controller Job Requirements

There are a number of qualifications required to obtain a position as a quality controller. They include:

Education: Most quality controllers have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers prefer to hire quality controllers who have a bachelor’s degree in quality assurance, engineering or another closely related field. These programs teach students the fundamentals of quality control and the principles of quality assurance.

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

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications can offer validation of a professional’s qualifications and increase their value to potential employers. Quality controllers should seek certifications to gain more practical knowledge of their responsibilities and further their career advancement opportunities.

Quality Controller Skills

Quality controllers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Technical skills: Quality control involves the use of technical equipment and software to measure the quality of a product. Having a basic understanding of the equipment and software you use in your job can help you perform your duties more effectively. You can learn about the equipment and software you use at work by asking your colleagues or by taking a short training course.

Communication skills: Quality control involves communicating with other team members and managers. You may need to communicate the results of your inspections, the status of projects and other information. Effective communication skills can help you convey your ideas clearly and answer questions. You can also use communication skills to build relationships with others.

Leadership skills: Quality control is a team-oriented job, so leadership skills are important for quality controllers. You may be responsible for assigning tasks, delegating responsibilities and providing guidance to your team. Leadership skills can help you motivate your team, encourage collaboration and inspire your team to perform their best.

Problem-solving skills: Quality control involves identifying and resolving issues with a product. You may be responsible for identifying the source of a problem, developing a solution and implementing the solution to ensure the product meets quality standards. Quality controllers also use problem-solving skills to identify and address issues that may arise during production.

Attention to detail: Attention to detail is the ability to notice small changes and make corrections accordingly. Quality control involves inspecting products and processes to ensure they meet standards. This requires close observation and the ability to identify any issues. You can use attention to detail to identify potential problems and make changes to improve processes.

Quality Controller Work Environment

Quality controllers typically work in manufacturing or production environments. They may be exposed to noise, dust, and other airborne particles, as well as to potential injuries from machinery. Quality controllers typically work a standard 40-hour week, but they may be required to work overtime, weekends, and holidays to meet production deadlines. The work can be stressful, and quality controllers must be able to pay close attention to detail and work well under pressure.

Quality Controller Trends

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

Quality Control Will Become More Automated

As automation becomes more prevalent in industry, the role of the quality controller will change. In the future, quality control will become more automated, which means that quality controllers will need to be able to work with robots and other automated systems.

This trend will require quality controllers to be comfortable with new technologies and to be able to work quickly and efficiently. They will also need to be able to troubleshoot problems with these systems and be able to identify potential issues before they become a problem for the company.

More Focus on Preventative Measures

Quality controllers are increasingly being asked to focus on preventative measures rather than just corrective ones. This is due to the fact that businesses are realizing that it is cheaper and easier to prevent defects from happening than it is to fix them after the fact.

As a quality controller, you can capitalize on this trend by developing skills in areas such as process improvement and product design. By doing so, you will be able to help businesses create products that are not only high-quality but also meet the needs of their customers.

Greater Attention to Supply Chain Risk Management

As businesses become more globalized, the risk of supply chain disruptions has increased. This is because there are now more points where things can go wrong, such as ports or airports where shipments can get stuck.

To mitigate this risk, businesses are turning to quality controllers to ensure that their products are safe and reliable. Quality controllers can do this by conducting inspections and audits of suppliers and factories, as well as by developing quality standards for products.

How to Become a Quality Controller

A quality control career can be a great way to start your professional life. It’s a field with many opportunities for growth, and it can lead to a number of different paths. You could move into management, become a quality engineer, or even go into research.

No matter what direction you choose, it’s important to have a strong foundation in the basics of quality control. This includes understanding the principles of quality, how to conduct inspections, and how to use statistical methods to analyze data. You should also be familiar with the various tools used in quality control, such as checklists, flowcharts, and test plans.

Advancement Prospects

Quality controllers who demonstrate superior skills and knowledge may advance to lead quality control positions. In some organizations, lead quality controllers oversee a team of quality controllers. With experience, quality controllers may advance to management positions such as quality assurance manager or quality manager.

Some quality controllers may move into other occupations that require attention to detail and strong analytical skills, such as cost estimator, insurance underwriter, or actuary. Others may become technical writers or editors, or move into sales or marketing. Some quality controllers may start their own consulting businesses.

Quality Controller Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services. To help us maintain this standard, we are looking for an experienced Quality Controller to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for inspecting incoming raw materials, finished products, and packaging to ensure they meet our quality standards. You will also be responsible for conducting quality audits, investigating customer complaints, and maintaining accurate records. To be successful in this role, you must have previous experience working in a quality control role, as well as strong attention to detail and excellent problem-solving skills.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Inspect all incoming raw materials for conformance to specifications
• Inspect in-process production to ensure that it meets quality standards
• Perform final inspections of finished products
• Maintain records of inspection results
• Investigate customer complaints and non-conformance issues
• Recommend corrective actions to address identified problems
• Assist in the development and implementation of quality control procedures
• Monitor compliance with quality control standards
• Train other personnel in quality control procedures
• Identify opportunities for improvement in the quality control process
• Participate in audits conducted by external agencies
• Prepare reports on quality control activities

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 systems (ISO 9001, etc.)
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and with a team

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 in a quality control setting
• Experience developing and implementing quality control procedures
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis software (Minitab, SPSS, etc.)