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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Quality Control Clerk

💰 $35,000 - $55,000 per year

Quality AssuranceManufacturingLogisticsAdministrativeEntry-Level

🎯 Role Definition

As a Quality Control Clerk, you are the crucial checkpoint ensuring that our products meet the highest standards of quality and safety before they reach our customers. You will be at the heart of our operations, responsible for the meticulous inspection, documentation, and verification of materials and finished goods. This role requires a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, playing a vital part in upholding our company's reputation for quality. You will collaborate closely with production, warehouse, and management teams to identify and resolve quality issues, ensuring seamless compliance with all regulatory and internal specifications.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Production Line Operator
  • Warehouse Associate
  • Data Entry Clerk
  • Administrative Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Quality Control Inspector
  • Quality Assurance (QA) Technician
  • Quality Control Team Lead
  • Compliance Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Inventory Control Clerk
  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Production Planner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Meticulously inspect incoming raw materials, in-process components, and finished products against established quality specifications and blueprints to ensure conformity.
  • Accurately document inspection results, record defect data, and maintain comprehensive quality control logs and records using company databases and Quality Management Systems (QMS).
  • Generate, review, and file Certificates of Conformance (CoC) and Certificates of Analysis (CoA) to accompany shipments.
  • Verify that all production and packaging activities adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
  • Utilize precision measuring instruments such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and visual inspection equipment to perform detailed assessments.
  • Identify, tag, and segregate non-conforming materials or products, and initiate non-conformance reports (NCRs) for further investigation.
  • Communicate findings and quality issues clearly and promptly to production supervisors, engineers, and the Quality Manager to facilitate corrective actions.
  • Review and verify production batch records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
  • Perform first article inspections (FAI) on new or revised products, documenting all measurements and results for engineering approval.
    all-out batch disposition decisions, including releasing or rejecting products based on comprehensive data review.
  • Maintain the calibration and verification schedule for all measurement and testing equipment, ensuring they remain in proper working order.
  • Organize and maintain a library of quality records, reports, and retained product samples in an audit-ready state.
  • Assist in the investigation of customer complaints and returned products to identify root causes and contribute to corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans.
  • Collaborate with the inventory team to conduct cycle counts and ensure the accurate status of quarantined or rejected materials in the ERP system.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the Quality Assurance team in preparing for and participating in internal, customer, and regulatory audits.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of quality control processes by providing feedback and suggestions for enhanced efficiency and accuracy.
  • Assist in training new production and quality personnel on quality standards, inspection techniques, and documentation procedures.
  • Compile and prepare summary reports and charts on quality metrics, such as defect rates and inspection yields, for management review.
  • Participate actively in team safety meetings and promote a culture of safety and quality awareness on the manufacturing floor.
  • Manage the administrative aspects of the quality department, including filing, data entry, and distributing controlled documents.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory analysis of quality trends to identify potential areas for process improvement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Excel for data entry and basic analysis, Word for report writing, and Outlook for communication.
  • Data Entry & Typing: High level of accuracy and speed in entering data into databases and ERP/MRP systems.
  • Measurement Tools: Hands-on ability to use and read precision measuring instruments (e.g., calipers, micrometers, rulers, gauges).
  • Blueprint & Schematic Reading: Competency in interpreting technical drawings, product specifications, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
  • Quality Management Systems (QMS): Experience navigating and documenting within electronic QMS software.
  • ERP/MRP Systems: Familiarity with enterprise resource planning software (like SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) for tracking inventory and production data.

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail: An exceptional ability to spot minute deviations, inconsistencies, and errors in products and documentation is non-negotiable.
  • Organizational Skills: Strong aptitude for managing multiple tasks, maintaining organized records, and prioritizing work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Communication Skills: Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills to effectively report findings and collaborate with various departments.
  • Problem-Solving: The ability to analyze issues, identify the root cause of defects, and participate in finding effective solutions.
  • Integrity & Dependability: A strong sense of ethics and reliability, with the discipline to follow procedures and make unbiased quality judgments.
  • Teamwork & Collaboration: A cooperative mindset with the ability to work effectively with production, engineering, and logistics teams.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's Degree or a technical certificate in Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Technology, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Quality Assurance
  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-3 years of direct experience in a quality control, inspection, or related administrative role within a manufacturing, production, or warehouse environment.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a regulated industry (e.g., medical device, aerospace, automotive, electronics, or food and beverage) is highly advantageous.
  • Prior hands-on experience with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) or ISO 9001 standards is a significant plus.
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