What does a quality assurance manager do?

Quality assurance managers, or QA managers, oversee the quality assurance processes within an organisation to ensure that products or services meet internal and external standards. They manage QA teams, create and implement testing strategies, and ensure compliance with quality standards across all stages of production.

The primary role of QA managers is to lead the development of testing protocols and methodologies, ensuring the team executes detailed testing procedures and provides feedback to improve product quality. They are also responsible for identifying and mitigating risks, managing audits, and meeting all quality benchmarks before products reach the market.

These professionals are crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction by ensuring that the final product is reliable, secure, and performs as expected. Their role requires strong leadership skills, an in-depth understanding of QA methodologies, and the ability to work across departments to integrate quality practices into all stages of development.

Note that while a quality control inspector focuses on evaluating products at various stages of production to ensure they meet quality standards, a quality assurance manager oversees the entire quality management system and ensures compliance with standards and regulations.

Job Description: Template

We’re seeking an experienced quality assurance manager to join our team at [Company X].

In this leadership role, you will manage our QA team, develop testing strategies, and ensure that our products meet the highest quality standards. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including developers and product managers, to drive continuous improvements and ensure that our products are delivered on time and within specifications.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in quality assurance management, a strong understanding of industry standards, and leadership skills to guide a team in achieving excellence. If you are passionate about driving quality improvement and maintaining high standards in product delivery, we encourage you to apply. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a dynamic work environment.

Objectives of this role

  • Leading and managing the QA team in the development, implementation, and execution of quality assurance processes and strategies.
  • Developing and enforcing quality standards and procedures, ensuring all team members follow them.
  • Monitoring and analysing key quality metrics to track product performance and identify areas for improvement.
  • Working closely with product development, engineering, and operations teams to ensure that quality standards are integrated into the product lifecycle.
  • Overseeing the planning and execution of audits, inspections, and tests to evaluate product quality.
  • Developing and maintaining quality documentation, including test plans, reports, and defect tracking records.
  • Establishing and maintaining a strong communication channel with other departments to ensure quality expectations are met throughout the production process.
  • Conducting root cause analysis of quality issues and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  • Providing leadership, training, and development opportunities to QA staff to enhance team skills and performance. 

Your tasks

  • Oversee and coordinate the daily operations of the QA department, ensuring all activities align with business goals and customer requirements.
  • Lead the development and execution of quality assurance plans for products, including both manual and automated testing strategies.
  • Perform risk assessments and ensure quality risks are mitigated throughout the product life cycle.
  • Monitor testing progress, defect trends, and product performance, providing status updates to senior management.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, industry best practices, and company policies regarding quality assurance processes.
  • Collaborate with engineering, product management, and customer support teams to gather feedback and improve product quality.
  • Conduct periodic team performance reviews, offer constructive feedback, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Ensure all product releases meet defined quality criteria before they are launched to customers.
  • Assist in the identification and implementation of new tools and technologies to enhance the quality assurance processes.
  • Manage and mentor the QA team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment.
  • Stay updated on industry trends, new quality management methodologies, and regulatory changes that affect product quality. 

Required skills and qualifications

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Quality Management, or a related field.
  • Demonstrable experience as a QA Manager, QA Lead, or similar role, with 5+ years in quality assurance (QA) and at least 2 years in a management position.
  • Proven experience managing QA teams, including training, performance management, and team development.
  • In-depth knowledge of quality assurance methodologies, tools, and frameworks.
  • Background in developing and managing automated test suites using tools (Selenium, TestNG, QTP, or similar) and scripting languages.
  • Experience with software testing, defect tracking, and quality management systems (JIRA, TestRail, Quality Centre).
  • Experience with performance testing, load testing, and security testing.
  • In-depth knowledge of Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall methodologies and the ability to implement QA processes in an Agile environment.
  • Excellent leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire a team to achieve quality objectives.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information to various stakeholders.
  • Strong organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. 

Preferred skills and qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Quality Management or a related field.
  • Relevant certification in Quality Management (Six Sigma, ISO 9001, ISTQB).
  • Experience with cloud-based QA tools and testing in a cloud environment (AWS, Azure).
  • Knowledge of security testing and quality assurance compliances in India.
  • Experience with performance testing and monitoring tools (JMeter, LoadRunner).
  • Familiarity with database testing and data management tools (SQL, Oracle, MongoDB).
  • Strong knowledge of software development lifecycle (SDLC) and quality control processes.
  • Familiarity with tools such as Jenkins or Git for continuous integration/continuous testing.
  • Experience with mobile app testing (iOS/Android).
  • Experience in using statistical analysis and quality control tools.