What does a Quality Control do?
As the name entails, the job of a quality control inspector is to inspect, maintain, and improve the quality and standard of products. They are responsible for ensuring the company's reputation is not damaged due to defective products or inferior manufacturing processes. This can be done by detecting and resolving the problem early on, and returning the product for repair. A quality control inspector should also notify the supervisors immediately when issues arise and coordinate with them to address the problem.
Quality control responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real quality control resumes:
- Develop procedures for testing equipment for safety and compliance to achieve FDA regulations for safety and manufacturing.
- Develop and enhance environmental monitoring and testing procedures to insure ~~~~~~~~~compliance through risk assessment utilizing HAACP, USP and EP guidance.
- Perform quality control check for all video and audio DVD data streams.
- Used extensive use of SQL queries for back end testing using API and XML.
- Perform procedural calibrations and maintenance on instruments such as Olympus AU5400, ELISA, and GC-MS.
- Embed AFD (active format descriptor), AMOL, close captions, subtitles, watermarking, etc.
- Design SharePoint master page and page layouts, serving as company's main SharePoint support for all technical complications.
- Assure that all production personnel follow all safety rules and ISO requirements, and keep their work areas clean and organize.
- Develop and write testing specifications for raw materials, in-process and finish products for cGMP facility according to USP testing methods.
- Operate plastic extrusion molding machines.
- Implement ISO standards regarding quality control procedures.
- Prepare PowerPoint and excel presentations for meetings.
- Develop SQL statements to identify and resolve encumbrance variances.
- Lead investigator for deviations, OOS investigations and invalid assay assessments
- Direct quality inspectors in standard company procedures of tool calibration requirements.
Quality control skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Quality Controls are proficient in Quality Checks, Product Quality, and Safety Standards. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Quality Controls that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Quality Checks, 22%
Utilized complex computer applications and maintained efficient inventory systems to quality check and ship mortgage documents; edited closing documents for accuracy
- Product Quality, 13%
Maintain product quality by analyzing manufacturing and engineering requirements and devising testing methods and procedures.
- Safety Standards, 7%
Adhere to radioactive material safety standards to meet federal compliance regulations.
- Laboratory Equipment, 6%
Maintain all laboratory equipment, keeping track of all certification paperwork on lab scales and other equipment that requires annual re-certification.
- Quality Standards, 4%
Filled orders, monitored quality standards, delivered products, interacted with customers directly
- R, 3%
Assisted with R and D projects, developed jig process, troubleshooting.
Common skills that a quality control uses to do their job include "quality checks," "product quality," and "safety standards." You can find details on the most important quality control responsibilities below.
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a quality control to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what quality controls do because "industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills to work well other managers and with staff." Additionally, a quality control resume shows how quality controls use interpersonal skills: "stimulated higher quality standards through analyzing / auditing employees' processes and using interpersonal communication. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform quality control duties is leadership skills. Quality controls responsibilities require that "to keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct employees." Quality controls also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assist leadership with developing process improvement plans to ensure high levels of quality and performance. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of quality controls is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday quality control duties, as "production managers must identify and address problems that arise." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "analyzed, investigated and resolved inventory discrepancies through inspection, coding, customer orders and daily cycle count. "
The three companies that hire the most quality controls are:
- UUFP Industries12 quality controls jobs
- RRandstad North America, Inc.11 quality controls jobs
- TTotal Staffing Solutions11 quality controls jobs
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Compare different quality controls
Quality control vs. Quality assurance technician
Quality assurance is an essential part of a company that offers products and services. It is critical that the company's output remains consistent and up to par with community standards. It is the assistant quality assurance manager's role to inspect, monitor, and evaluate the quality of every product. The goal is to establish customer satisfaction and trust. The assistant quality assurance manager works with the head manager and helps generate reports of daily activities for executive evaluations.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between quality controls and quality assurance technician. For instance, quality control responsibilities require skills such as "product quality," "safety standards," "laboratory equipment," and "assembly line." Whereas a quality assurance technician is skilled in "food safety," "lab equipment," "quality products," and "math." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Quality assurance technicians really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $46,500. Comparatively, quality controls tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $36,096.The education levels that quality assurance technicians earn slightly differ from quality controls. In particular, quality assurance technicians are 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a quality control. Additionally, they're 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quality control vs. Quality assurance inspector
Quality Assurance Auditors are employees who ensure the adherence of other employees to company processes and guidelines. They are expected to be experts on quality assurance processes and procedures. They also have in-depth knowledge of the expected outcomes of such processes to ensure that the company only provides quality products and services. Quality assurance auditors are also familiar with regulatory laws and policies of governing bodies that oversee companies in their particular industry. They ensure that their companies are compliant and may conduct random quality checks every now and then.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, quality control responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "quality checks," "laboratory equipment," "troubleshoot," and "rf." Meanwhile, a quality assurance inspector has duties that require skills in areas such as "calipers," "micrometers," "basic math," and "inspection procedures." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Quality assurance inspectors earn a higher average salary than quality controls. But quality assurance inspectors earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $48,138. Additionally, quality controls earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $36,096 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Quality assurance inspectors tend to reach similar levels of education than quality controls. In fact, they're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Quality Controls in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Betsy Smith
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College
Quality control vs. Quality assurance associate
A quality assurance associate's role is to oversee the production operations in a manufacturing plant or a similar setting, ensuring quality standards throughout the entire process. Most of the time, a quality assurance associate must perform workforce assessments, provide training to new employees, produce or approve documentation and progress reports, and collaborate with colleagues to ensure that everything is running smoothly and complies with the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, there are instances when one must address issues and concerns, providing them with the necessary corrective measures.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, quality controls are more likely to have skills like "quality checks," "safety standards," "laboratory equipment," and "troubleshoot." But a quality assurance associate is more likely to have skills like "excellent interpersonal," "customer service," "visualization," and "quality system."
Quality assurance associates earn the highest salary when working in the pharmaceutical industry, where they receive an average salary of $62,720. Comparatively, quality controls have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $36,096.When it comes to education, quality assurance associates tend to earn higher degree levels compared to quality controls. In fact, they're 8.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Quality control vs. Quality assurance coordinator
As the quality assurance (QA) coordinator, it is your responsibility to ensure that a company's quality assurance standards and procedures are met. You will perform various QA-related tasks, which include tracking and reporting all activities, procedures, and processes, developing auditing tools to improve the internal auditing process, and conducting regular reviews and inspections to ensure employee adherence to safety and quality standards. You are also expected to assist with the creation of company procedures, policies, and processes, and conduct quality training sessions.
Types of quality control
Updated January 8, 2025
