What does a product quality manager do?
A Product Quality Manager's job is to inspect the quality of products to ensure that they are built with compliance and meet customer expectations. They are thorough and observant of every detail of the product. Product Quality Manager's are responsible for understanding the customer's needs to develop effective quality control processes. They also devise and review the specs of the processes or product, set requirements for intermediate products for monitor compliances. They also ensure adherence to health and safety guidelines.
Product quality manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real product quality manager resumes:
- Strengthen the supply base that lead to multiple ISO certifications and sprayer certifications for export.
- Manage initial USDA regulatory visits, working collaboratively with USDA inspectors leading audit preparation and follow-up activities and reports.
- Perform and document following GMP standards incoming inspections on all buyout medical devices and components.
- Obtain 21CFR 110 GMP and 9CFR 417HACCP and SQF level 2 -7.2 edition certifications with excellent rating.
- Set and maintain product specs using SPC, machine capability, on line gauge verification and customer needs.
- Help by leading meetings and workshops to robust operational procedures/plans to prevent parts escapes - through engineering FMEA and quality audits.
- Implement and manage ISO quality program and interface with entire operation managing, measuring and improving operational and departmental objectives.
- stretch blow molding, injection molding, and extrusion blow molding).
- Direct and facilitate all QS9000 and TS16949 elements maintaining certification and operations.
- Update process documentation, maintain SharePoint site and report on quality systems to executive management.
Product quality manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Product Quality Managers are proficient in Continuous Improvement, Data Analysis, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Product Quality Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Continuous Improvement, 7%
Facilitated awareness training of regulations and standards, and continuous improvement efforts of the quality management system annually.
- Data Analysis, 7%
Evaluated supplier compliance to internal and external technical requirements, standards and delivery performance through program reviews and data analysis.
- Project Management, 6%
Project Management o Monitor each phase of project development, ranging from manufacturing to delivery.
- Product Development, 5%
Appointed by Quality Executives to integrate product development quality processes into virtual engineering process.
- GMP, 5%
Performed P&G Quality Assurance Key Element Audits on GMP, ISO and regulatory standards and procedures.
- Corrective Action, 5%
Implemented Customer Quality Clinic to improve effectiveness of Root Cause corrective action on customer escapes.
Most product quality managers use their skills in "continuous improvement," "data analysis," and "project management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential product quality manager responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a product quality manager to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what product quality managers do because "industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills to work well other managers and with staff." Additionally, a product quality manager resume shows how product quality managers use interpersonal skills: "demonstrate proven leadership ability and excellent interpersonal skills while mentoring and teaching the team effective problem solving. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform product quality manager duties is leadership skills. Product quality managers responsibilities require that "to keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct employees." Product quality managers also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided project management, aggressive turnaround leadership, improved profitability 50% and decreased operational costs 30%. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for product quality managers to perform their duties. For an example of how product quality manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "production managers must identify and address problems that arise." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a product quality manager: "managed supplier quality performance problems and ensured timely resolution. ".
The three companies that hire the most product quality managers are:
- Peloton Interactive, Inc.52 product quality managers jobs
- Deloitte23 product quality managers jobs
- Apple8 product quality managers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable product quality manager resume templates
Build a professional product quality manager resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your product quality manager resume.
Compare different product quality managers
Product quality manager 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, product quality manager responsibilities require skills like "project management," "product development," "quality management system," and "product line." Meanwhile a typical quality supervisor has skills in areas such as "food safety," "product quality," "quality issues," and "quality procedures." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Quality supervisors tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $73,685. In contrast, product quality managers make the biggest average salary, $144,751, in the technology industry.On average, quality supervisors reach lower levels of education than product quality managers. Quality supervisors are 8.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Product quality manager vs. Quality assurance director
The job of a quality assurance (QA) director is to oversee all QA functions across the company. Your duties typically include working closely with other department heads to deliver high-quality products on time, hiring managers and analysts, and establishing and maintaining a quality system to make sure that company guidelines and regulatory standards are met. Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring quality by monitoring, appraising job results, and planning. You are also expected to maintain technical and professional knowledge by reviewing professional publications, participating in professional associations, and attending workshops.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that product quality manager responsibilities requires skills like "data analysis," "fmea," "qc," and "qa." But a quality assurance director might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "oversight," "test automation," "scrum," and "product quality."
Quality assurance directors may earn a higher salary than product quality managers, but quality assurance directors earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $161,774. On the other hand, product quality managers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $144,751.In general, quality assurance directors achieve similar levels of education than product quality managers. They're 0.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Product quality manager vs. Vice-president of quality
A vice president of quality is responsible for monitoring the quality performance and delivery of the company outputs and deliverables to serve customers and clients. Vice presidents of quality analyze the production and operational processes to ensure that everything adheres to the internal guidelines and regulations. They also coordinate with the stakeholders for project updates and identify opportunities for revenue resources to increase the company's profits. A vice president of quality must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in minimizing loss from operational failures and increasing productivity results.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from product quality manager resumes include skills like "data analysis," "process control," "product line," and "failure analysis," whereas a vice-president of quality is more likely to list skills in "oversight," "risk management," "patient safety," and "performance improvement. "
Vice-president of qualities earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $122,006. Comparatively, product quality managers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $144,751.Most vice-president of qualities achieve a similar degree level compared to product quality managers. For example, they're 4.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Product quality manager vs. Product lead
A product lead is responsible for monitoring the development of new products and services of an organization, starting from brand conceptualization to official market release and distribution. Product leads identify effective product management by conducting data analysis and evaluating market statistics of customer demands. They coordinate with the clients on their specifications and requirements, including the budget limit and timely deliverables. A product lead manages the brand promotion on media platforms, creating content that adheres to the target audience.
Types of product quality manager
Updated January 8, 2025
