What does a quality control associate do?
In a manufacturing setting, a quality control associate is in charge of conducting various tests to ensure that the products meet the company's standard criteria. Their responsibilities revolve around inspecting the workforce and workload involved in the production process, identifying errors or inconsistencies, recommending solutions and alterations, and maintaining records and documentation. Furthermore, as a quality control associate, it is essential to coordinate with department staff and produce progress reports, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Quality control associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real quality control associate resumes:
- Follow GLP guidelines in the laboratory.
- Analyze ELISA data in various software programs.
- Work with CMOs on protocols and reports.
- Contribute in CAPA and change control and participate in internal audits.
- Perform internal audits per ISO guidelines and report findings to management.
- Assist in the implementation of ISO standards in the manufacturing process.
- Verify adequate cleaning and sanitation of production equipment by UV/VIS assay.
- Perform water testing (microbial, conductivity, and endotoxin testing).
- Analyze endotoxin samples using LAL kinetic reader, PTS and gel clot.
- Perform UXO geophysical survey, intrusive investigation and clearance of former ordnance impact areas.
- Update assay records and work instructions that are out of date and submit to QA.
- Support internal and external audits by ensuring adherence to cGMP, GLP and safety regulations.
- Perform chemical analysis of raw material and finish products by ICP-MS, HPLC, LCMS, and GC.
- Responsibilities-Preform QC stability testing for commercial drug product and a number of protein therapeutics in different stages of development.
- Represent QC microbiology department in internal and external audits for justification of investigations, developmental study protocols, and trending reports.
Quality control associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Quality Control Associates are proficient in QC, GMP, and Laboratory Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Quality Control Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- QC, 15%
Provided engineering and technical support to Honda QC and Production functions to resolve internal and external customer satisfaction concerns.
- GMP, 8%
Contracted for environmental monitoring needed to qualify facilities for GMP operations.
- Laboratory Equipment, 5%
Managed laboratory equipment calibrations and qualifications.
- Qc Testing, 5%
Established and documented QC testing procedures and specifications.
- Test Methods, 4%
Assist in writing and executing assay qualification/validation protocols for test methods and equipment.
- Environmental Monitoring, 4%
Perform sampling, microbiology testing of critical utilities water for injection and compressed gas and environmental monitoring of facilities.
Common skills that a quality control associate uses to do their job include "qc," "gmp," and "laboratory equipment." You can find details on the most important quality control associate responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a quality control associate to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "microbiologists should be able to effectively communicate their research processes and findings so that knowledge may be applied correctly." Additionally, a quality control associate resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "collaborate with senior lab management and qa to address internal customer requests and maintain open lines of communications. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform quality control associate duties is detail oriented. Quality control associates responsibilities require that "microbiologists must be able to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." Quality control associates also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintain detailed log books for laboratory equipment. "
Interpersonal skills. quality control associates are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to quality control associate responsibilities, because "microbiologists typically work on research teams and thus must work well with others toward a common goal." A quality control associate resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "provided inter-departmental communications between the business units, technology teams and support teams interpersonal relations/customer service"
Math skills. A big part of what quality control associates do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to quality control associate responsibilities because "microbiologists regularly use complex mathematical equations and formulas in their work." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical quality control associate tasks: "perform quantitative analysis to determine endotoxin level in pyrogen-free buffer products and water system using kqcl testing and p-5000 kit testing. "
Observation skills. A commonly-found skill in quality control associate job descriptions, "observation skills" is essential to what quality control associates do. Quality control associate responsibilities rely on this skill because "microbiologists must constantly monitor their experiments." You can also see how quality control associate duties rely on observation skills in this resume example: "zero observations during fda inspection. "
Problem-solving skills. While "problem-solving skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to quality control associate responsibilities. Much of what a quality control associate does relies on this skill, seeing as "microbiologists use scientific experiments and analysis to find solutions to complex scientific problems." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of quality control associates: "assisted in preparing analytical method for assay, related compound, dissolution, identification etc. "
The three companies that hire the most quality control associates are:
- Burlington156 quality control associates jobs
- B. Braun Medical61 quality control associates jobs
- Bristol-Myers Squibb36 quality control associates jobs
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Compare different quality control associates
Quality control associate vs. Chemist
Chemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter. A chemist usually takes time performing research and conducting experiments to test and further improve the quality and usage of a specific chemical substance. Chemists are expected to write on their observations and findings to establish scientific results.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between quality control associates and chemist. For instance, quality control associate responsibilities require skills such as "qc," "laboratory equipment," "data entry," and "endotoxin." Whereas a chemist is skilled in "chemistry," "lab equipment," "product development," and "ms." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Chemists really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $75,495. Comparatively, quality control associates tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $54,631.chemists tend to reach similar levels of education than quality control associates. In fact, chemists are 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Quality control associate vs. Laboratory analyst
A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that quality control associate responsibilities requires skills like "qc," "laboratory equipment," "endotoxin," and "qa." But a laboratory analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "lab equipment," "laboratory procedures," "sample preparation," and "math."
Laboratory analysts may earn a lower salary than quality control associates, but laboratory analysts earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $47,806. On the other hand, quality control associates receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $54,631.laboratory analysts earn similar levels of education than quality control associates in general. They're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for quality control associates in the next 3-5 years?
Bryan Spiegelberg Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Molecular Sciences, Rider University
Quality control associate vs. Research chemist
A research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a quality control associate is likely to be skilled in "qc," "qc testing," "environmental monitoring," and "test results," while a typical research chemist is skilled in "analytical chemistry," "polymer," "organic synthesis," and "gc-ms."
Research chemists make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $92,565. On the other hand, quality control associates are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $54,631.Most research chemists achieve a higher degree level compared to quality control associates. For example, they're 7.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 10.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quality control associate vs. Research and development chemist
A research and development chemist primarily works at laboratories to conduct extensive tests and experiments aiming to develop new products and technologies. Although the extent of their duties may vary, it typically revolves around conducting research and studies, observing chemical reactions, maintaining records and databases, collaborating with fellow experts, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing components or mixtures. They can find employment in different areas, such as manufacturing companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and even education.
Types of quality control associate
Updated January 8, 2025
