How to become A Quality Assurance Specialist

Every time we use a product/service that brings us immense satisfaction, we owe it to a dedicated Quality Assurance Specialist who strives to be incredibly thorough in ensuring the manufacturing process meets optimal quality standards.

• Quality Assurance Manager
• Quality Assurance Officer
• QA Specialist
• QA Manager
• QA Officer

What do Quality Assurance Specialists do?

A Quality Assurance Specialist would typically need to:

• Plan, coordinate, and supervise the inspection and testing of products to ensure adherence to organisational and industry QA standards
• Design and implement QA policies and procedures that comply with state-mandated laws and safety regulations
• Utilise QA software and other techniques to make sure the products satisfy consumer expectations
• Conduct an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the workflow and production processes to guarantee consistency and reliability
• Ascertain that the production process complies with legal requirements as well as health and safety laws; find opportunities for improvement
• Collaborate with colleagues in developing new and improved tests and techniques for regular product analysis
• Carry out routine inspections, quality audits, compliance testing, and quality checks on both existing and new products/services
• Report any malfunctions or anomalies to the production executive to facilitate prompt action; present the gathered data and suggest suitable remedies
• Discuss current or potential issues with more experienced colleagues and come up with viable solutions
• Interact with external QA teams during on-site inspections in a professional and efficient manner
• Create accurate audit reports; keep records and backups of relevant quality operations, statistical reviews, and quality reports to enable a proactive system
• Build sustainable procedures to inspect and report quality-related issues on a regular basis
• Manage, mentor, motivate, and assist subordinates, as required; create training materials and operating manuals that help with the process

Your work environment will vary depending on your industry; it could be at an office, a laboratory, a warehouse, or manufacturing plants and production sites. 

When working in a manufacturing plant, Quality Assurance Specialists must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety goggles, hard hats, high visibility vests, and boots.

Typically, you will be working as part of a team. You may also be required to travel frequently if you work as a consultant or for a company with several sites. 

Quality Assurance Specialists typically work full-time for around 40 hours/week. They usually work eight-hour shifts, some of them around the clock, in manufacturing plants that remain open 24/7.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Quality Assurance Specialists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Quality Assurance Specialists are generally employed by:

• The Electronics Manufacturing Industry
• The Automobile Manufacturing Industry
• Other Manufacturing Industries
• The Food & Beverage Industry
• The Pharmaceutical Industry
• The Tech Industry

Professional associations and organisations, such as The Society Of Quality Assurance (SQA), are crucial for Quality Assurance Specialists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Workplaces that are hazardous due to temperature extremes, loud noises, and, on occasion, fumes, odours, and other dangerous substances
• Stress due to the nature of the job, where a mistake can be detrimental to the company and the consumers
• Challenging testing processes due to the lack of documentation relevant to a product/service
• Frustration from having to use outdated and inefficient tools

Any academic programme that a potential Quality Assurance Specialist takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. It will equip you with practical knowledge of quality assurance tools, techniques, and principles.

Internships can help you gain a foothold in the industry by giving you hands-on experience with product testing and analysis. Being well-versed in applicable regulatory standards will be of immense value to an aspiring QA Specialist.

Once the internship is over, you can choose to work your way up from Quality Control (QC) Engineer, QC Tester, Statistician, or Laboratory Researcher to QA Specialist. 

In most cases, employers will provide new hires with adequate on-the-job training related to a specific product or industry-related QA approaches and general safety training.

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experienced QA Specialists to prove your commitment to prospective employers and gain a thorough understanding of the career path.

Quality Assurance (QA) Specialists typically have engineering, manufacturing, or research expertise. They are usually required to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in decision science, engineering, information technology, mathematics, or manufacturing.

Focus on information technology, mathematics, and physics in high school.

Although not mandatory, certification in quality assurance demonstrates a Quality Assurance Specialist’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and examination.

Certification in occupational safety and health administration may also be beneficial when you begin your career and sometimes even mandatory.

Certifications from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and become an independent consultant.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Quality Assurance Specialists.

A QA Specialist with significant experience and a proven track record can advance to the coveted role of a Quality Assurance Manager. Those with leadership skills and a bent toward such roles may aim for senior management or director-level positions.

You can also quit your regular job and set up your own contracting or consulting firm, which usually proves to be lucrative options. 

Candidates with the necessary analytical, communication, and technical skills, experience, and education have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Quality Assurance Specialist build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. 

CPD allows you to continually upskill regardless of age, job, or level of knowledge. It will assist you in developing a solid grasp of evolving national and international quality standards in the field. It also enables the regular renewal of desirable certifications and licences.

Employer-sponsored CPD activities and training programmes will keep you up-to-date on the latest technological developments within the industry and enable you to learn all aspects of the organisation while providing you with hands-on experience through projects and other activities. 

Quality Assurance vs Quality Control

Although quality assurance and quality control may seem similar with overlapping characteristics, they are two distinct components of quality management with different definitions. 

Quality assurance is ‘part of quality management focused on assuring that quality requirements will be fulfilled.’ In contrast, quality control is described as ‘part of quality management focused on fulfilling quality requirements.’

Ensure The Quality

The quality of a particular product is a reflection of the company and what it stands for. To guarantee that authenticity, a company needs to hire accomplished QA Specialists who are adept at analysing products, situations and data, solving problems, figuring out better work processes, and encouraging relevant stakeholders to implement their viable recommendations. 

The Current Scenario

Global manufacturing production registered an output growth of 5.7 per cent in 2021, and this trend is expected to continue in the next few years. As production multiplies, so will the volume of commodities that must be tested and assured to be of the highest quality; hence, the role of a Quality Assurance Specialist will remain crucial for years to come.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Quality Assurance Specialists have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time QA Specialist has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Quality control is present in every stage of the manufacturing process, from testing raw materials to assessing pulled samples from the finished goods.

From pharmaceuticals to electronics, Quality Assurance Specialists ensure that only products/services of an exemplary quality reach the consumer.

Pique your curiosity; you may notice a flaw and improve the product or the process.