Quality Manager Job Qualifications

[SSwanson]

I would like to have the opinions of all of you working in Quality Assurance and Quality Management.

I think many of you will agree that there is a difference between Quality Assurance and Quality Management though many human resource managers, and members of non-ISO certified companies do not understand the difference between the two activities. I also know that it is possible and may be desirable to combine the two activities into one job position, especially in a production environment.

What I wan to ask is this:

Do you think that an engineering degree... and or production experience in industry is a mandatory pre-requisite for consideration as a candidate for selection as the new Quality Manager to fill a vacancy within a company?

The reason for the question is that I would like to return to the US and continue to work in Quality Management. However, most job announcements require engineering degrees and all the quality training "ABC"s such as Six Sigma, etc. There are also many job announcements that call the position "Quality Manager" and then go on to describe the responsibilities of a Quality Assurance Manager in a production area.

I know that it might be very desirable to have a Quality Manager that is also responsible for Quality Assurance...

But my question is:

Can an experienced Quality Manager without an engineering degree be effective - The theory being that the Quality Manager is responsible for the Quality program and production experts are responsible for production quality?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Wes Bucey]

Quite frankly, I think you should ignore job titles and focus on job functions in your search. As you have seen, there is little uniformity in what different organizations mean by the term "Quality Manager."

In some organizations, QM is little more than a glorified inspector who has the added burden of being the fall guy who has to keep the paperwork straight.

In others, QM is nearly a Board of Directors level position, carrying at least as much "weight" as a Division VP.

We have some excellent threads in the Cove about the more efficient ways to go about a job change or search.

I suggest you read through these two threads for a start and either add to those threads with questions or start a new thread.
Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting
Resume and cover letter - How good are yours?

We here in the Cove are always pulling for one of our members to be successful - it makes the sun shine a little brighter on all of us.

 

[Wes Bucey]

It occurs to me to add (in a separate post) that quite often the necessity for formal training and certification (engineer, PhD, ASQ-CQE) is dictated by the nature of the industry and regulations which may apply to that industry.

In my experience, most of the top Quality Managers of my acquaintance could easily be a Plant Manager at most industrial sites, regardless if they are licensed or graduate engineers. However, a lot of engineers of my acquaintance, including aerospace, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineers do not have the organization and people skills to successfully tackle a plant manager's position, even though they possess all the technical qualifications.

Several Six Sigma Black Belts of my acquaintance have successfully moved to entirely different industries. One from railroads to pharmaceuaticals; one from chemical plants to banking. The key is to truly assess the skills and experience you possess and deetermine how they might apply in the new industry or even to just another company in the same industry. Then make that point plain to the target company where you want to work!

 

[SSwanson]

Thank you for the links, advice and encouragement.

It's tough trying to get a job from 6,000 miles away.

Too often companies don't really know what they want and have an external head hunter write the job descriptions. Other times, it seems that they mix and match job descriptions, though they might be correct that an engineer is required.

Looking at the boards and the job announcements, I see many, many job announcements requiring the world with respect to education, quality training and experience.

It makes me wonder if there really are such qualified candidates out there looking for jobs.

Edited here:

Thanks for moving this to the right forum. I didn't know this forum existed. Wow!! Lots of information to go through.

 

[Jim Wynne]

For what it's worth, and in addition to Wes's good advice, I've been a quality manager in several different industries and I barely got out of high school alive. No college degree. I have also been hired after responding to ads that specified a degree as a requirement. Pay no attention. If a job interests you, apply for it and emphasize your skills and experience. My philosophy has always been that I wouldn't want to work for a company that puts up thoughtless barriers like that anyway. Good luck.

 

[Statistical Steven]

In general, QM (QC and QA personnel) come from the production side these days. With the popularity of six sigma, there is less emphasis on systems thinking in the Quality Management function. Just installed six sigma.

I have a Master Degress in Statistics and CQE and I can no longer work as a Quality Manager or professional. I never worked in production, and that is what people want.

 

[Helmut Jilling]

It occurs to me to add (in a separate post) that quite often the necessity for formal training and certification (engineer, PhD, ASQ-CQE) is dictated by the nature of the industry and regulations which may apply to that industry.

In my experience, most of the top Quality Managers of my acquaintance could easily be a Plant Manager at most industrial sites, regardless if they are licensed or graduate engineers. However, a lot of engineers of my acquaintance, including aerospace, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineers do not have the organization and people skills to successfully tackle a plant manager's position, even though they possess all the technical qualifications.

Several Six Sigma Black Belts of my acquaintance have successfully moved to entirely different industries. One from railroads to pharmaceuaticals; one from chemical plants to banking. The key is to truly assess the skills and experience you possess and deetermine how they might apply in the new industry or even to just another company in the same industry. Then make that point plain to the target company where you want to work!

Well stated, Wes. I fully concur.

 

[Helmut Jilling]

I would like to have the opinions of all of you working in Quality Assurance and Quality Management.

I think many of you will agree that there is a difference between Quality Assurance and Quality Management though many human resource managers, and members of non-ISO certified companies do not understand the difference between the two activities. I also know that it is possible and may be desirable to combine the two activities into one job position, especially in a production environment.

What I wan to ask is this:

Do you think that an engineering degree... and or production experience in industry is a mandatory pre-requisite for consideration as a candidate for selection as the new Quality Manager to fill a vacancy within a company?

The reason for the question is that I would like to return to the US and continue to work in Quality Management. However, most job announcements require engineering degrees and all the quality training "ABC"s such as Six Sigma, etc. There are also many job announcements that call the position "Quality Manager" and then go on to describe the responsibilities of a Quality Assurance Manager in a production area.

I know that it might be very desirable to have a Quality Manager that is also responsible for Quality Assurance...

But my question is:

Can an experienced Quality Manager without an engineering degree be effective - The theory being that the Quality Manager is responsible for the Quality program and production experts are responsible for production quality?

Thanks for your input.

Every company I audit seems to have a different flavor for this. Some have degrees, some don't. Some degrees are in Engineering, some aren't...etc. Do what you do best, and if you are good at it, there is someone out there who is looking for you. If you're currently employed, keep it until you find that better place. I meet many Quality Managers...some of them are really good.

 

[Jim Howe]

MGR qualifications

I have personally found that decision making ability is by far the best skill to possess. This skill comes only from experience (at least in my case) and perhaps a bit of cockiness! What ever else the mgr. might be he/she is expected to react and solve problems of every dimension coming at the company from many directions. To make correct decisions you must have sufficient knowledge in many area's including engineering. An old boss of mine once said "Jimmy, I expect you to make decisions. I will never question the decisions you make although from time to time we may sit down and talk about them." My decision making ability started in the US Navy and I have been learning ever since. Good luck!

 

[ddunn]

I worked for one Quality Manager whose only degree was in criminology.
This degree doesn’t seem associated with Quality Management….. then again maybe it is??