Senior Quality Assurance Technician

Role summary

The Senior QA Technician is responsible for overseeing and ensuring that all manufacturing processes and products meet the highest quality standards and regulatory requirements. This role involves leading inspections, tests, and audits while mentoring junior QA staff and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Core duties, responsibilities and accountabilities:

1. Conduct and oversee in-process and final inspections of products to ensure compliance with specifications.
2. Perform advanced quality lab testing on raw materials, components, and finished goods.
3. Lead and enforce adherence to quality procedures, work instructions, and safety standards.
4. Document and report quality deviations and non-conformances, providing detailed analysis.
5. Conduct root cause analysis and lead implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
6. Support and lead internal and external audits, including QMS and customer audits.
7. Maintain and improve quality records, inspection logs, and test data for trend analysis.
8. Provide training and mentorship to junior QC Inspectors and production staff on quality standards and best practices.
9. Drive and participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and efficiency.
10. Assist in developing and maintaining product test procedures and inspection reports.
11. Assist in developing and maintaining company SOPs and Quality policies.
12. Ensure continued compliance to company SOPs and Quality policies through planned periodic reviews and audits.
13. Operate, calibrate, and train staff on quality control equipment, including but not limited to:
1. Photo-Goniometer
2. Multi-meters
3. Verniers
4. Micrometers
5. Thermal recorder / Thermometers
6. Scales
14. Manage and facilitate product warranty returns process, including:
1. Triggering CAPARs (Corrective Action – Preventive Action Reports)
2. Identifying failure modes and capturing project details
3. Assisting in the assessment of failed products
4. Drafting findings reports and determining root causes
5. Driving CAPARs to completion and sign-off
6. Communicating findings to senior management and customers
15. Communicate quality or compliance concerns to senior management as a matter of urgency.
16. Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures.

Key skills, competencies, and personal attributes

1. Education: Diploma in TQM (Total Quality Management) or a recognized qualification in Industrial / Engineering Quality Control.
2. Experience: Minimum 5+ years of QA and/or production QC experience in a manufacturing environment, with at least 2 years in a senior or leadership capacity.
3. Certifications: ISO 9001, Six Sigma, or other quality management certifications are highly preferred.
4. Physically mobile and reasonably fit.
5. Specific vision abilities required, including:
1. Close vision
2. Distance vision
3. Color vision
4. Peripheral vision
5. Depth perception
6. The ability to adjust focus
6. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
7. Excellent organizational skills.
8. Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret information.
9. Excellent numeracy, written, and verbal communication skills.
10. Excellent working knowledge of MS Office applications, specifically Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
11. Excellent teamwork skills.
12. Proven ability not to be influenced by staff in ignoring or downplaying identified QC / QA issues.
13. Capable of interpreting and reading technical drawings.
14. Neat and presentable.
15. Punctual.
16. Good project management skills – Advantageous.
17. Organized and efficient – Excellent administration skills.
18. Excellent working knowledge of ISO 9001 QMS.
19. Eye for detail and process-oriented.
20. Ability to develop good working relationships and trust with various teams.
21. Strong problem-solving skills and analytic abilities.
22. Always keeping the end-user, internal and external customers in mind.
23. Results and deadline-driven.