How to hire a quality lead

How to hire a quality lead, step by step

Here's a step-by-step quality lead hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a quality lead job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new quality lead
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a quality lead do?

Post a quality lead job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a quality lead, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect quality lead also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents quality lead salaries for various positions.

   Type of Quality Lead	Description	Hourly rate
   Quality Lead	Industrial production managers oversee the daily operations of manufacturing and related plants. They coordinate, plan, and direct the activities used to create a wide range of goods, such as cars, computer equipment, or paper products.	$30-61
   Quality Assurance Supervisor	A quality assurance supervisor oversees and leads the quality control operations within a manufacturing plant or similar establishment. They are primarily responsible for crafting and implementing policies that prioritize the efficiency of products or services, supervising and evaluating the performances of the workforce, and setting standards and procedures that align not just with the goals of the company, but the national and international level of production standards... Show more	$22-45
   Quality Control Supervisor	A quality control supervisor specializes in carrying out and implementing systems and procedures that ensure product quality within an organization. They are primarily responsible for devising priorities and standards, managing schedules to abide by the production timeline, monitoring activities, coordinating with production and quality control personnel, assessing employee performance, and thoroughly discussing new systems for all staff... Show more	$22-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Continuous Improvement
   • Product Quality
   • Quality Standards
   • Project Management
   • Process Improvement
   • Management System
   • Quality Issues
   • Customer Service
   • Corrective Action
   • ISO
   • Sigma
   • Quality System
   • GMP
   • Data Analysis

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Analyze health plan's performance in achieving HEDIS targets and determine appropriate actions for improvement.
   • Manage raw materials receive in the lab and perform raw material USP testing for product release.
   • Manage global QMS development and implementation efforts at service locations.
   • Lead business system development in new aerospace start-up facility with industry-unique process concept.
   • Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications using measuring instruments such as rulers, calipers, gauges and/or micrometers.
   • Provide leadership and strategic decision-making for regulatory compliance during new product development phase for FDA submission.

   More quality lead duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your quality lead job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A quality lead can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, quality leads' average salary in colorado is 41% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level quality leads 50% less than senior-level quality leads.
   • Certifications. A quality lead with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a quality lead's salary.

   Average quality lead salary

   $90,301yearly

   $43.41 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level quality lead salary

   $63,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average quality lead salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$122,869	$59
   2	Massachusetts	$107,915	$52
   3	Oregon	$106,469	$51
   4	New York	$99,874	$48
   5	Arizona	$97,000	$47
   6	Texas	$94,387	$45
   7	Washington	$92,319	$44
   8	North Carolina	$92,183	$44
   9	Michigan	$90,524	$44
   10	Virginia	$88,295	$42
   11	District of Columbia	$88,046	$42
   12	Georgia	$86,459	$42
   13	West Virginia	$85,716	$41
   14	Minnesota	$85,072	$41
   15	Illinois	$83,586	$40
   16	Tennessee	$83,018	$40
   17	Florida	$82,955	$40
   18	Ohio	$81,959	$39
   19	Utah	$81,637	$39
   20	Indiana	$80,570	$39

   Average quality lead salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Google	$138,591	$66.63	41
   2	Apple	$135,765	$65.27	101
   3	Levi Strauss & Co.	$126,157	$60.65
   4	Genentech	$125,501	$60.34	16
   5	Bristol-Myers Squibb	$125,004	$60.10	29
   6	Eli Lilly and Company	$124,274	$59.75	37
   7	AstraZeneca	$122,213	$58.76	4
   8	Microsoft	$121,165	$58.25	9
   9	Exact Sciences	$119,949	$57.67	1
   10	Koch Industries	$118,944	$57.18	7
   11	Amazon	$118,332	$56.89	126
   12	Nike	$116,543	$56.03
   13	ConocoPhillips	$115,507	$55.53	2
   14	Citi	$115,116	$55.34	4
   15	Amgen	$115,079	$55.33	10
   16	Zoetis	$114,402	$55.00	22
   17	Abbott	$113,711	$54.67	80
   18	Pinterest	$111,284	$53.50
   19	Regeneron	$111,280	$53.50	9
   20	Adobe	$110,386	$53.07	1

4. Writing a quality lead job description

   A quality lead job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a quality lead job description:

   Quality lead job description example

   Ingredion is hiring a Pharmaceutical Quality Control Lead to act as a key resource by ensuring timely and accurate analytical services and technical support to both internal and external customers for testing of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). Responsible for maintaining all API laboratory instrumentation in calibration and working order. This position also ensure compliance with other plant policies including Safety, Regulatory, Data Integrity, GMP, etc.
   As a Pharmaceutical Quality Control Lead, your responsibilities will include:
   Keeping work area clean and maintaining a safe work environment.Performing analytical testing of USP and NF products to their respective monographs. Testing samples are to be collected and tested timely and stored as required.Providing ongoing API technical support to all shift laboratory technicians.Responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair and trouble-shooting of API laboratory instrumentation including FTIR, Atomic Absorption (AA), and HPLC.Ordering laboratory supplies including instrumentation, chemicals, glassware and various testing supplies. Evaluating suppliers for cooperation, timeliness in response and competitive pricing. Maintaining complete, accurate and legible test records, in accordance with Company policy and record keeping procedure and ensuring all laboratory data is accurate and reliable. Analyzing, evaluating and providing recommendations on the API laboratory procedures.Performing method and instrumentation validations as necessary maintaining the validated state of the laboratory.Updating and creating new procedures as needed.Providing back-up coverage for technician testing of both in-process and final product Aiding in API laboratory Out of Specification (OOS) investigations to ensure that the investigations are thorough, timely, unbiased, well-documented, and scientifically sound and inline with FDA's guidance for OOS investigations. Conducting and/or implementing any necessary Corrective Action to prevent reoccurrence Performing other work as assigned by laboratory management.Providing weekend/holiday laboratory coverage as needed.
   
   The Quality Control Lead position is well-suited for you if you have:
   Experience working in a Quality Control Laboratory in the pharmaceutical industry, required.Experience following all safety and quality guidelines according to Good Laboratory Practices and lab safety requirements for laboratory that performs testing of an API. Capacity to solve problems through creative, innovative solutions and challenge traditional methods of accomplishing tasks.Ability to build consensus and foster positive relationships. Worked as part of a technical group in a diverse work environment to accomplish a common goal.Ability to learn and apply Ingredion's Safety, GMP, Quality and Continuous Improvement standards.
   
   Qualified candidates will have:
   Bachelor's degree in chemistry, or similar technical degree.Possess good working knowledge of pharmaceutical laboratory practices. Minimum 5 years' experience working in a laboratory in the pharmaceutical industry.Familiarity with SAP, a plus.Experience with Waters Empower, Thermo Fisher OMNIC Software, and Perkin Elmer Syngystix software, a plus.Demonstrated experience operating, maintaining, and repairing API laboratory instrumentation such as FTIR, AA, and HPLC.Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate across functional lines at all levels.Decision making ability, planning and time management skills.Initiative; be a self-starter and takes responsibility for personal actions, decisions and results.
   
   We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
   
   We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, military status, or disability status.
   
   Relocation Available:
   No

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right quality lead for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your quality lead job on Zippia to find and recruit quality lead candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting quality leads requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new quality lead

   Once you've selected the best quality lead candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new quality lead. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a quality lead?