Quality Manager

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Quality Manager. Quality Managers plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate quality activities to ensure stated quality requirements and objectives are met within an organisation. A qualified learner will be able to: • Ensure incoming, in-process and outgoing quality products or services • Manage the quality management department to meet performance targets • Manage a quality management system • Manage quality functions of an organisation to ensure product/service quality

This qualification has been designed to address the shortage of suitably qualified quality managers in the production as well as the services environment. This qualification establishes a South African standard for uniformity and consistency in the training of staff employed in various industries. Quality Managers are employed across all sectors of industry, services, parastatals and government departments. Experienced managers and people working in the quality environment requiring a formal qualification, will benefit from this qualification. The structure of the qualification provides for learning at a quality assurer level (structured as a part qualification) and progresses to the level of the operational quality management level. It forms the next steppingstone in the learning path which started as quality inspector, progressing to quality controller and then entering this qualification of which the exit points prepare learners for employment as quality assurers and eventually quality managers. This qualification contributes to national initiatives in terms of increasing competitiveness, creation of jobs, exports, and entrepreneurship development. This occupational qualification responds to a specific need in the South African labour market to provide a standard for the development of persons employed as quality assurers, quality managers and entrepreneurs in the quality industry. This promotion of a culture of quality is in line with international initiatives. Customers will receive quality products and services and thereby improve the competitiveness of the country. By offering consistency and uniformity in the practice of quality through a recognised qualification, the learners will be more employable.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • Occupational Certificate: Quality Controller, NQF Level 4.

• Coordinate the implementation of quality assurance processes and activities to enhance an organisation's efficiency and profitability.
• Coordinate quality assurance functions to support operations and implement improvements.
• Control performance of the quality management system and staff to optimise product conformance and reduce waste.
• Plan and control the achievement of the quality business unit targets and performance standards.
• Plan for, monitor and control funds allocated to the quality business unit.
• Manage the quality management functions of the organisation.
• Improve the quality management function by implementing projects or change processes to optimise quality systems and processes.
• Analyse, evaluate, and build a case based on various types of collected data or information, taking into account legal, technological and ethical considerations.