ISO 9001 Quality Management Representative Qualifications

[TPMB4]

Well I report to the plant manager yet I'm the management representative. Authority to do the role and make changes are key not heirarchy.

In my case the role would mean that if any changes I need to make but don't get help from my immediate supervisor when that help is needed would result in me going over his head to a director. We all know that Quality is more important than position in the company heirarchy here. The directors tell everyone that if something affecting quality is wrong they have the right to stop it. That includes stopping the job until the problem is fixed. Every new starter gets that message from the Directors through to shopfloor management they all stress it. It also happens.

I might be wrong about this of course as I am new to my role but it shouldn't be a non-conformity. In some ways in my company I have more than one line manager. I report to the plant manager and the directors as the situation requires. We have never had a NC due to this even with my predecessor who was in the same position.

 

[JaneB]

Thank you all for this discussion!

JaneB, you interpretation was very helpful and answered 1 of the 2 questions I have about MR requirements. My second concern is related to the following question: "Is the MR under the direct authority of the CEO?" I am appointed as a MR in our company which is ISO 9001 certified and based on the organizational structure I (ISO technical assistant) stand below the Quality Manager. Can this be found as a nonconformity during external audits? Thank you in advance!

I'm not sure where your question about the MR being 'under the direct authority of the CEO' comes from - those words aren't in the Standard and that isn't a formal requirement.
Nor would I get too literal about precisely who reports to who. What's much more important is: does the arrangement in your company work? Is there evidence that the system is implemented and being followed (or not)? If not, is there evidence that leads back to the position of the MR in the organisation, that shows they don't have the requisite authority (beyond just the responsiibility)?
If you report to the QM, and then (presumably) work through the QM if need be to ensure certain things happen, where is the problem? As the previous poster has said, authority to do the role and make changes are the important thing.

 

[Brijeta]

All happened with 5.5.2 "Top Management shall appoint a member of the organization's management..." and I remember once our consultant who has developed the system told me that I should be under direct CEO's command. (Anyway, I recalled I was appointed as MR with an internal order, signed by CEO, so obviously there is no problem. Also I was given authority to do audits, control findings close out, report to all Managers and request changes - which is the most important). Sometimes I find it difficult to "decipher" the requirements. (I started working with ISO standards last year). It's always of great value to listen to the experienced people.

 

[JaneB]

All happened with 5.5.2 "Top Management shall appoint a member of the organization's management..." and I remember once our consultant who has developed the system told me that I should be under direct CEO's command. (Anyway, I recalled I was appointed as MR with an internal order, signed by CEO, so obviously there is no problem. Also I was given authority to do audits, control findings close out, report to all Managers and request changes - which is the most important). Sometimes I find it difficult to "decipher" the requirements. (I started working with ISO standards last year). It's always of great value to listen to the experienced people.

You're welcome, Brijeta. I think we all learned by listening to /watching people with more experience, plus of course reading the Standard itself.

Consultants (and I is one ) can be wrong - the one you mention was, having made the classic mistake of making up their own interpretation of what the requirement said. Always a good idea to go back to the original and read it, asking yourself... hm, does it say 'must be under command of the CEO?' No, it doesn't. Good for you, though, asking for help, as the Standard has all the inherent problems of being something written by committee, and at times isn't crystal clear.