Quality Control Systems Managers

Product Quality Director
Quality and Food Safety Manager
Quality and Process Improvement Manager
Quality Assurance Director (QA Director)
Quality Assurance Manager (QA Manager)
Quality Control Manager (QC Manager)
Quality Control Supervisor (QC Supervisor)
Quality Director
Quality Manager
Quality Systems Director

What is a Quality Control Systems Manager?

A Quality Control Systems Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality control processes in an organization. These managers play a critical role in ensuring that products and services meet established standards and regulatory requirements. They develop and implement quality management systems, conduct audits, and analyze quality data to identify areas for improvement. Their focus is on maintaining high standards of quality throughout the production process, ensuring compliance with both internal and external quality guidelines.

Quality Control Systems Managers collaborate closely with various departments, including production, engineering, and supply chain, to foster a culture of quality within the organization. They may also be involved in training staff on quality assurance practices and methodologies. Their expertise often includes knowledge of quality standards such as ISO 9001, Six Sigma, and other industry-specific regulations. Through their work, Quality Control Systems Managers aim to enhance product reliability, improve customer satisfaction, and minimize costs associated with defects and non-compliance.

Career Assessment
Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$72010.0 - $190480.0

New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average

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Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Career Assessment

Tasks

  • Stop production if serious product defects are present.
  • Review and update standard operating procedures or quality assurance manuals.
  • Monitor performance of quality control systems to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Review quality documentation necessary for regulatory submissions and inspections.
  • Analyze quality control test results and provide feedback and interpretation to production management or staff.

Technology Skills

Tools Used

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing

    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

  • Education and Training

    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • English Language

    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • Chemistry

    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

  • Customer and Personal Service

    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

11 Active Jobs in South Africa
Avg Salary: R22,394pm

How to Know if You are Ready to be a Quality Control Systems Manager in South Africa

The role of a Quality Control (QC) Systems Manager is pivotal in the South African industrial landscape, ensuring that products—from processed foods in the Western Cape to automotive components in the Eastern Cape—meet rigorous safety and excellence standards. With 13 active jobs currently available and an average salary of R22,394pm, the demand for precision-oriented leaders is significant.

Market data for 2024 shows a steady upward trajectory in remuneration, starting from approximately R19,706 in January and rising to R24,633 by December. This growth reflects the increasing value South African companies place on compliance and risk mitigation in a competitive global market.

Is Quality Control Systems Management Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before stepping into this high-stakes role, evaluate whether your temperament and cognitive style align with the demands of the profession. Ask yourself if you possess the following traits:

  • Uncompromising Integrity: Are you prepared to halt a production line if standards aren't met, even under pressure from management?
  • Analytical Rigour: Do you enjoy identifying patterns in data and pinpointing the exact moment a process begins to deviate?
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: Do you naturally notice the small discrepancies that others might overlook?
  • Systemic Thinking: Can you visualise how a single change in the supply chain affects the final output?
  • Effective Communication: Can you translate complex technical non-conformance reports into actionable steps for staff at all levels?

A Day in the Life of a QC Systems Manager

In the South African context, your day often begins before the factory floor or laboratory reaches full speed. You might start by reviewing the previous shift’s logs to ensure compliance with South African National Standards (SANS) or international ISO frameworks. Your morning could involve a walkthrough of the facility, checking that hygiene or safety protocols are being strictly followed by the workforce.

By midday, you are likely analysing laboratory results or production metrics, looking for variances. You may meet with the Production Manager to discuss why certain batches failed to meet the "SABS Approved" criteria. Your afternoon is often dedicated to "Continuous Improvement"—writing new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or preparing for an external audit. It is a role that balances office-based analytical work with "boots on the ground" oversight, requiring you to be both a strategist and a supervisor.

Education & Upskilling

Ready to start your career as a Quality Control Systems Managers?

Explore Top-Rated Quality Control Systems Managers Courses on Udemy

To succeed in South Africa, a blend of formal qualification and specialised certification is non-negotiable. Most employers look for a solid foundation, but they value those who treat learning as a lifelong programme.

  • Formal Education: A National Diploma (N6) from a TVET college or a BTech/BSc degree in Quality Management, Industrial Engineering, or Food Science provides the necessary theoretical framework.
  • Short Courses and Certifications: Achieving a Six Sigma Green or Black Belt is highly regarded. Furthermore, becoming a certified ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) Lead Auditor is often a prerequisite for senior roles.
  • Continuous Learning: The regulatory environment in South Africa is constantly evolving. Staying updated with the latest South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) updates and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation is essential to remain relevant.

Note: Expertise in South African labour laws and environmental regulations will give you a distinct advantage over other candidates.

Next Steps

Transitioning into a Quality Control Systems Manager role requires more than just technical knowledge; it requires a specific mindset geared toward excellence and accountability. If you have the drive to uphold the "Made in South Africa" reputation for quality, you are already halfway there. To gain deeper insight into your professional alignment and see how your current skills match the industry's needs, we encourage you to take the next step. Test your readiness now by completing our specialised career assessment.

Skills

  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

  • Quality Control Analysis

    Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

  • Problem Sensitivity

    The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

  • Deductive Reasoning

    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

  • Inductive Reasoning

    The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

  • Near Vision

    The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

  • Oral Comprehension

    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

  • Bachelor's degree
    100 %

Work Activities

  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

    Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

  • Documenting/Recording Information

    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

  • Analyzing Data or Information

    Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

    Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

    Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Inspect condition or functioning of facilities or equipment.
  • Direct operational or production activities.
  • Document organizational or operational procedures.
  • Monitor organizational procedures to ensure proper functioning.
  • Confer with organizational members to accomplish work activities.

Work Interests

  • Conventional

    Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

  • Enterprising

    Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

  • Investigative

    Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

This page incorporates data from O_NET OnLine, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), under the CC BY 4.0 license. O_NET is a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Assessify has adapted and modified the original content. Please note that USDOL/ETA has neither reviewed nor endorsed these changes.