What does a Quality Control Supervisor do?

A quality control (QC) supervisor is in charge of overseeing production and coordinating the activities of workers tasked with inspecting materials and ensuring that they meet the company’s quality standards. Foods, glassware, molded components, textiles, fabricated plastic products, electronics, pharmaceuticals, clothing, and motor vehicles are among the manufactured materials that supervised workers may be responsible for processing.

Drawing sketches to provide examples for product prototypes and standards needed, writing inspection procedures for new products requiring fabrication, measuring different devices needed to carry out these tasks, and pointing out areas requiring additional attention to workers are just a few of the responsibilities of a quality control supervisor. Following the completion of the sketch, it is typically distributed to various departments, including production control, engineering, and inspection work stations, along with production protocols.

Inspections are usually performed at all or nearly all stages of a product’s development. A quality control manager can do this by using gauges and shadow comparators, among other things. Once any defects in the product have been identified, he or she will inform the technician of the specific defects as well as the types of adjustments that may be required to correct them. After a new prototype is completed, it must be examined to ensure that it meets the company’s quality standards.

Customer service skills are frequently a significant part of the job. A quality control supervisor may be responsible for meeting customer needs, resolving complaints, and maintaining good customer relations. He or she may also have to work with subcontractors and suppliers, particularly if materials or parts arrive that do not meet company standards. To resolve a situation like this, he or she must be willing to explain why these parts were rejected as well as request replacements.

A high school diploma is usually required to work as a quality control supervisor. Other qualifications may differ depending on the company and the product being inspected. In general, good math and communication skills are required. Extensive knowledge of assembly, machine operation, and other industry-specific procedures is usually required, as is training in the use of tools such as computers, meters, and gauges. A quality control supervisor should be well-versed in a company’s various production needs, safety requirements, and processes, as well as the products under inspection.