What does an associate director, quality assurance do?
Quality analysts act as problem solvers and testers of products or services in the production phase. They are responsible for the development and support of testing, process planning, design, and execution. These professionals need to have skills such as good communication skills, logic and reasoning, information technology skills, and a creative mindset. They should also be equipped with knowledge about the testing techniques. A computer science bachelor's degree or any of its associated fields is necessary to become a quality analyst.
Associate director, quality assurance responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate director, quality assurance resumes:
- Create and manage worldwide GCP, GMP, and GLP audit program.
- Manage and report quality data metrics including audits, investigations, CAPA, for management review meetings and steering committee meetings.
- Manage large scale automation platform to perform regression and functional verification.
- Manage initial USDA regulatory visits, working collaboratively with USDA inspectors leading audit preparation and follow-up activities and reports.
- Authore SVMP and SMF for MHRA (EU) certification.
- Train company on QSR, cGMP, and ISO regulations.
- Review and approve audit reports and develop corrective and preventive action (CAPA) methods and procedures.
- Apply and effectively utilize tools and methods in performing functional, regression, and user acceptance testing.
- Design protocols for the validation of over 400 FDA and 150 non-FDA approved/clear tests and instrumentation in all laboratory disciplines.
- Develop GCP standards and procedures consistent with current global regulatory requirements.
- Implement quality culture initiatives resulting in interdepartmental collaboration of GMP training program.
- Negotiate directly with FDA for a cargo theft incident and coordinate resultant market withdrawal activities.
- Provide strategic direction and operational focus for the GCP QA unit during the company-wide re-organization.
- Research evidence-based methods of improvement, including ISO standards, to increase quality of internal/external procedures.
- Launch well-received program of professional development courses for all QA team members including regulatory licenses, quality and food safety certifications.
Associate director, quality assurance skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Associate Directors, Quality Assurance are proficient in Qa Management, FDA, and GMP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Associate Directors, Quality Assurance that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Qa Management, 8%
Used appropriate QA management tools to monitor and ensure third party compliance on an ongoing basis e.g.
- FDA, 6%
Ensured compliance with FDA regulation, company Quality Manual and all relevant regulatory and legislative requirements.
- GMP, 6%
Implemented quality culture initiatives resulting in interdepartmental collaboration of GMP training program.
- GCP, 5%
Provided strategic direction and operational focus for the GCP QA unit during the company-wide re-organization.
- ICH, 4%
Set and executed vision for QRM consistent with corporate objectives and ICH Q9.
- CAPA, 4%
Managed and reported quality data metrics including audits, investigations, CAPA, for management review meetings and steering committee meetings.
Most associate directors, quality assurance use their skills in "qa management," "fda," and "gmp" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential associate director, quality assurance responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for an associate director, quality assurance to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills to work well other managers and with staff." Additionally, an associate director, quality assurance resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "have a good understanding of sdlc best practices and strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform associate director, quality assurance duties is leadership skills. Associate directors, quality assurance responsibilities require that "to keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct employees." Associate directors, quality assurance also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "represented and promoted quality systems and qa validation on all site and global leadership teams. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of associate directors, quality assurance is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday associate director, quality assurance duties, as "production managers must identify and address problems that arise." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "managed contractors to ensure compliance with trius quality systems including change control, investigations, capa resolution and quality agreements. "
The three companies that hire the most associate director, quality assurances are:
Compare different associate directors, quality assurance
Associate director, quality assurance vs. Quality improvement coordinator
In the medical industry, a quality improvement coordinator is in charge of developing programs and projects designed to improve medical services and employee performance. Their responsibilities typically include gathering and analyzing data to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current procedures, performing research and analysis to determine the ideal care practices, studying feedback from different parties, conducting inspections and assessments, and implementing solutions against problem areas. Moreover, a quality improvement coordinator must develop programs while enforcing and promoting the facility's policies and regulations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, associate director, quality assurance responsibilities require skills like "qa management," "fda," "gmp," and "gcp." Meanwhile a typical quality improvement coordinator has skills in areas such as "performance improvement," "patients," "quality improvement," and "patient care." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Quality improvement coordinators tend to make the most money working in the insurance industry, where they earn an average salary of $77,330. In contrast, associate directors, quality assurance make the biggest average salary, $138,744, in the manufacturing industry.The education levels that quality improvement coordinators earn slightly differ from associate directors, quality assurance. In particular, quality improvement coordinators are 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an associate director, quality assurance. Additionally, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Associate director, quality assurance vs. Quality management specialist
In the manufacturing industry, a quality management specialist is in charge of implementing and overseeing quality management procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically include gathering and analyzing data to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current operations, developing new strategies to optimize procedures, creating new quality assurance methods, maintaining records of transactions, and coordinating the workforce. Furthermore, as a quality management specialist, it is essential to implement solutions while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that associate director, quality assurance responsibilities requires skills like "qa management," "gcp," "ich," and "quality system." But a quality management specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "healthcare," "quality improvement," "patients," and "patient care."
On average, quality management specialists earn a lower salary than associate directors, quality assurance. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, quality management specialists earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $78,818. Whereas associate directors, quality assurance have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $138,744.quality management specialists earn similar levels of education than associate directors, quality assurance in general. They're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Associate director, quality assurance vs. Quality supervisor
A quality supervisor is an individual who manages and implements the quality assurance and control systems of a company to ensure the proper execution of products and customer satisfaction. Quality supervisors oversee a team of quality control analysts and train them on the latest product standards. They must make sure that customers are pleased with the finished product by communicating with them and setting realistic expectations. Quality supervisors must also provide reports on quality metrics to the other members of the management team.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, associate directors, quality assurance are more likely to have skills like "gcp," "ich," "gxp," and "eu." But a quality supervisor is more likely to have skills like "corrective action," "quality standards," "food safety," and "product quality."
Quality supervisors make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $73,685. On the other hand, associate directors, quality assurance are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $138,744.Most quality supervisors achieve a lower degree level compared to associate directors, quality assurance. For example, they're 9.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Associate director, quality assurance vs. Laboratory manager
Laboratory managers provide accurate laboratory diagnosis through evaluating specimen procedures and coordinating with pathologists to validate laboratory findings. They are responsible for maintaining laboratory tools and equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of instruments before and after use, organizing equipment based on its function, and immediately repairing or replacing defective items. A laboratory manager also secures the confidentiality of laboratory systems, keeping records of results, and releasing information to the appropriate personnel. Laboratory managers must have a broad knowledge of the scientific industry, as well as excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Types of associate director, quality assurance
Updated January 8, 2025
