Overview

A quality assurance manager is a leadership management role responsible for the policy, strategy and testing methodology to meet regulatory authority compliance.

What responsibilities will I have?

• Must be knowledgable of all state and federal regulations for the product being produced
• Responsible for the quality control aspects of raw materials and finished products
• Assist in setting quality standards and ensure that production is maintained at such standards
• Develop, implement and maintain the organization’s quality management systems and ensure continuing compliance to relevant quality standards
• Ensure weekly swabs/samples are taken and sent for testing. Takes action for any swabs / samples that come back with non-compliance levels
• Maintain the corporate quality manual and quality records
• Review and report the principle causes of quality loss and non-conformance
• Ensure all check sheets are correctly completed and all non-compliance found have had the correct action taken and signed off
• Arrange, coordinate and participate in external quality audits
• Supervise quality control aspects of raw materials and finished products
• Implement and maintain the quality management systems and ensure continuing compliance to relevant quality standards are implemented and maintained
• Review and report the principle causes of quality loss and non-conformance
• Arrange, coordinate and participate in external quality audits

What education and training is required?

A bachelor’s degree in agricultural business, food science, animal science, poultry science or other related field is required.

To pursue a career as a quality assurance manager:

The following high school courses are recommended:  agricultural education, mathematics, biology, chemistry, business courses and computer courses

Where can I work?

Quality assurance manager are employed by a variety of agricultural companies who produce a product that must pass set standards before purchase.  This can include agricultural construction, animal production, animal health, seed/chemical production and food production companies.

Future Job Market / Outlook

The future outlook for a quality assurance manager will be great over the next five years.

Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations

• Society of Quality Assurance
• Quality Assurance Association
• International Association for Food Protection
• Produce Marketing Association