Head Quality Control

Head of Quality & Control Roles & Responsibilities

Role Overview:

The Head of Quality & Control is responsible for defining, implementing, and managing all quality assurance and control processes to ensure products meet internal standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. This is a senior leadership role requiring technical expertise, team management, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

Quality Management System (QMS)

• Develop, implement, and maintain a robust Quality Management System aligned with industry standards (e.g., ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, GMP, HACCP).
  
• Regularly review and update quality policies, SOPs, manuals, and documentation.
  
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and internal quality requirements.
  

Quality Assurance (QA)

• Oversee the development and execution of QA strategies throughout the product lifecycle.
  
• Establish procedures for incoming material inspection, in-process quality checks, and final product release.
  
• Approve/reject raw materials, intermediates, and finished products.
  
• Lead internal and external audits, including customer and regulatory audits.
  

Quality Control (QC)

• Supervise testing of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished goods to ensure they meet defined specifications.
  
• Ensure lab operations are compliant, accurate, and efficient.
  
• Approve or revise QC protocols and ensure calibration/maintenance of lab instruments.
  

Compliance & Regulatory Affairs

• Ensure the company adheres to local and international regulations related to product quality, labeling, and safety.
  
• Prepare documentation for regulatory audits, certifications, and inspections.
  
• Stay updated with changing quality regulations and advise leadership on compliance risks.
  

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor QA/QC managers, supervisors, and technical staff.
  
• Build a high-performance culture focused on quality excellence.
  
• Conduct training programs to ensure staff are up to date on procedures and standards.
  

Customer & Stakeholder Interface

• Investigate and resolve quality complaints from customers and partners.
  
• Interface with clients on product quality and certification matters.
  
• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for deviations.
  

Continuous Improvement

• Identify areas for improvement in manufacturing or supply chain quality.
  
• Use tools like Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, or Lean to reduce waste and improve process capability.
  
• Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement across departments.
  

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare and present regular quality reports to executive management.
  
• Track and analyze quality KPIs (e.g., defect rates, rework %, customer complaints, audit findings).
  
• Maintain documentation logs for traceability and audit-readiness.
  

Supplier Quality Management

• Assess and approve vendors based on their ability to meet quality standards.
  
• Conduct supplier audits and monitor performance through scorecards.
  
• Work with procurement to ensure consistent quality in incoming materials.
  

Risk Management

• Identify quality risks across the value chain and develop mitigation strategies.
  
• Lead product recalls, incident investigations, and emergency response when necessary.
  

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Deep knowledge of quality standards (e.g., ISO, HACCP, GMP, FDA, BRC depending on industry).
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills (RCA, CAPA, FMEA).
  
• Leadership and team-building capabilities.
  
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.
  
• Knowledge of laboratory testing, audit processes, and regulatory frameworks.
  
• Familiarity with digital quality tools (QMS software, LIMS, ERP systems).