6 free templates by industry: general, manufacturing, food safety, medical device, quality assurance, and small-shop supervisor, each with built-in compliance notes (ISO 9001, FDA QMSR, FSMA, HACCP) and FLSA classification. Download as DOCX.
Quality manager is a role that the top job description templates treat as one generic job, but in practice it splits sharply by industry. The quality manager at a machine shop, a food plant, and a medical device maker share a job title and almost nothing else: the standards, the certifications, and the daily work are different. The generic templates that dominate search results gloss over this, and they skip the two things a small employer most needs to get right, the compliance angle and the FLSA classification.
This page fixes that. It gives a template for each industry version of the role, an honest note on who actually hires a quality manager, ready compliance sections tied to ISO 9001, FDA, and FSMA, and a clear answer on exempt status. The six templates below cover the general, manufacturing, food safety, medical device, quality assurance, and small-shop supervisor versions. For the fundamentals behind any posting, the guide to writing a job description is a useful companion.
TL;DR
A quality manager owns the quality management system and keeps products meeting customer and regulatory standards. The role splits by industry: manufacturing (ISO 9001), food (FSMA, HACCP), and medical device (FDA QMSR, ISO 13485). It is almost always exempt under the administrative or executive test. Despite its enterprise reputation, most US manufacturers are small businesses, so the role is common at small companies too. Download six templates as DOCX.
What a Quality Manager Does
A quality manager owns the quality management system and keeps products and processes meeting customer and regulatory standards: maintaining the quality system, leading audits, managing corrective action, overseeing inspection and supplier quality, maintaining records and document control, leading the quality team, and reporting metrics to leadership.
Before writing anything, settle which version of the role you are hiring for. The biggest split is manufacturing versus software, and within manufacturing the industry changes the standards and certifications substantially.
Version
Governing standard
What it owns
General manufacturing
ISO 9001 (IATF 16949 auto)
Process quality, supplier quality, CAPA
Food safety
FSMA, HACCP, SQF / GFSI
Food safety plan as PCQI, audits
Medical device
FDA QMSR, ISO 13485
Management responsibility, design controls
Software QA
Test strategy, CI/CD
A different role; not on this page
The practical takeaway: name the industry in the title and summary. The bare term quality manager defaults to the manufacturing reading; the software role is usually searched as QA manager and is a different job. Use the matching template so you attract the right candidates.
Quality Manager Duties and Responsibilities
Across industries, the duties cluster into four areas: the quality system and audits, corrective action and improvement, inspection and supplier quality, and leadership and reporting. The emphasis shifts by setting, with regulated production weighted heavily toward documentation and records.
Pick the template by industry, and decide manufacturing versus software first. The core structure is the same across all six, and every one includes the compliance and FLSA notes that generic templates leave out.
Quality Manager
General version
The core role: own the quality management system, lead audits and corrective action, and manage the quality function. Adapt it to your industry.
Manufacturing QM
Production floor
The most common version: SPC, process capability, scrap reduction, and supplier quality, often under ISO 9001 or IATF 16949.
Food Safety QM
Food production
For a food manufacturer: serve as PCQI, maintain the food safety plan and HACCP, and lead SQF or other GFSI audits.
Medical Device QM
Medtech
For a device maker under FDA and ISO 13485: management responsibility, design controls, CAPA, and inspection readiness.
Quality Assurance Manager
QA synonym
The QA-titled version for manufacturing: systems that prevent defects and ensure final product compliance. Not software QA.
Quality Supervisor / QC Lead
Small shop, first hire
For a micro-business making its first quality hire: hands-on inspection plus light supervision, with a non-exempt note.
Match the Version to the Industry
General production: the Quality Manager template. A plant with process control and supplier quality: the Manufacturing template. A food maker: the Food Safety template, built around PCQI and HACCP. A device maker: the Medical Device template, built around FDA QMSR and ISO 13485. A manufacturing role titled QA: the Quality Assurance Manager template. A small shop making its first quality hire: the Quality Supervisor template.
6 Free Quality Manager Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: company overview, position summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, a compliance and classification note, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
General, manufacturing, food safety, medical device, quality assurance, and small-shop supervisor. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Quality Manager (General)
The core role: own the quality management system, lead audits and corrective action, and manage the quality function. Adaptable to your industry and company size.
Quality Manager Job Description
QUALITY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Plant Manager / Director of Operations / Owner]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (administrative or executive; see note)
Compensation: $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your company, what you make or do, and the quality
function this manager will own.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Quality Manager to own our quality management system
and keep our products and processes meeting customer and regulatory standards.
You will lead the quality function, drive continuous improvement, manage audits
and corrective action, and partner with production and suppliers on quality.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Own and maintain the quality management system (ISO 9001 or equivalent)
•Lead internal audits and prepare for external and customer audits
•Manage corrective and preventive action (CAPA) and root-cause analysis
•Oversee inspection, testing, and nonconformance handling
•Manage supplier quality and incoming material approval
•Maintain quality records, procedures, and document control
•Lead and develop quality staff (inspectors, technicians, engineers)
•Drive continuous improvement and report quality metrics to leadership
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or a related field, or equivalent
•5+ years of quality experience, with some lead or supervisory experience
•Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality management principles
•Experience with audits, CAPA, and document control
•Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•ASQ certification (CQM/OE, CQE, or CQA)
•ISO 9001 lead auditor training
•Experience with statistical process control and continuous improvement
•Industry-specific regulatory experience (see industry templates)
FLSA CLASSIFICATION NOTE
A quality manager is almost always exempt. Most qualify under the administrative
exemption (the Department of Labor lists quality control among administrative
functions) or the executive exemption if they manage a quality department of two
or more full-time employees. Classify by the actual primary duty and confirm
against current federal and state salary thresholds. This is general information,
not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Manufacturing Quality Manager
The most common version: process control, statistical methods, scrap reduction, and supplier quality on the production floor, under ISO 9001 or IATF 16949.
Manufacturing Quality Manager Job Description
MANUFACTURING QUALITY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Plant Manager / Director of Operations]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (administrative or executive; see note)
Compensation: $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about what your plant produces and the production quality
this manager will be responsible for.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Manufacturing Quality Manager to own product quality
across our production lines. You will run the quality management system, lead
process control and inspection, manage supplier quality, and drive defect and
scrap reduction through continuous improvement.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Own the quality management system (ISO 9001; IATF 16949 if automotive)
•Lead in-process and final inspection against specifications
•Manage statistical process control (SPC) and process capability (CpK)
•Drive scrap, rework, and defect reduction with lean and Six Sigma methods
•Run CAPA, root-cause analysis, and nonconformance disposition
•Manage supplier quality, audits, and incoming material approval
•Maintain control plans, work instructions, and quality records
•Lead quality inspectors and technicians; report metrics to plant leadership
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience
•5+ years of manufacturing quality experience, including supervision
•Hands-on knowledge of SPC, control plans, and inspection methods
•Experience with ISO 9001 (and IATF 16949 in automotive settings)
•Strong problem-solving and team leadership skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•ASQ certification (CQE, CQM/OE, or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt)
•IATF 16949 or core tool experience (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA)
•Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement leadership
FLSA CLASSIFICATION NOTE
A manufacturing quality manager is almost always exempt under the administrative
or executive exemption. Classify by the actual primary duty and confirm against
current federal and state salary thresholds. This is general information, not
legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
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For a food manufacturer: serve as the PCQI under FSMA, maintain the food safety plan and HACCP, manage allergen control and sanitation, and lead SQF or other GFSI audits.
Food Safety and Quality Manager Job Description
FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Plant Manager / Director of Operations / Owner]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (administrative or executive; see note)
Compensation: $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your food production operation and the food safety
and quality program this manager will own.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Food Safety and Quality Manager to own our food safety
plan and quality program. You will serve as the Preventive Controls Qualified
Individual (PCQI), maintain HACCP and the food safety plan, manage sanitation and
allergen control, and lead third-party and regulatory audits.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Develop and maintain the food safety plan as the PCQI (FSMA, 21 CFR Part 117)
•Maintain HACCP plans, hazard analysis, and critical control point monitoring
•Manage sanitation, allergen control, and good manufacturing practices
•Oversee the recall and traceability program
•Lead SQF, GFSI, BRC, or customer and regulatory audits
•Manage CAPA, nonconformances, and supplier and ingredient approval
•Maintain quality and food safety records and document control
•Lead training on food safety and quality procedures; report metrics
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, or a related field, or equivalent
•3-5+ years of food safety or quality experience in food production
•PCQI and HACCP certification (or ability to obtain promptly)
•Knowledge of FSMA, GMPs, and a GFSI scheme such as SQF
•Strong documentation, audit, and leadership skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•SQF Practitioner certification
•Experience leading a successful GFSI certification audit
•Allergen, sanitation, or environmental monitoring program experience
FLSA CLASSIFICATION NOTE
A food safety and quality manager is almost always exempt under the administrative
or executive exemption. Classify by the actual primary duty and confirm against
current federal and state salary thresholds. This is general information, not
legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 4: Medical Device Quality Manager
For a device maker under FDA and ISO 13485: management responsibility, design controls, CAPA, complaint handling, and inspection readiness with full document control.
Medical Device Quality Manager Job Description
MEDICAL DEVICE QUALITY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [General Manager / Director of Operations / Owner]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (administrative or executive; see note)
Compensation: $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your medical device operation and the regulated
quality system this manager will own.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Medical Device Quality Manager to own our quality
management system under FDA and ISO 13485. You will hold management
responsibility for the QMS, manage design controls and CAPA, oversee complaint
handling, and keep the company audit-ready and compliant.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Own the QMS under FDA 21 CFR Part 820 (QMSR) and ISO 13485
•Hold management responsibility and lead management review
•Manage design controls, the DMR and DHR, and document control
•Run CAPA, complaint handling, and nonconforming product disposition
•Manage supplier controls, audits, and incoming inspection
•Prepare for and host FDA inspections and notified body audits
•Maintain training and competence records for regulated work
•Lead quality staff and report quality metrics to leadership
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or a related field, or equivalent
•5+ years of medical device quality experience, including supervision
•Working knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 820 (QMSR) and ISO 13485
•Experience with design controls, CAPA, and audits
•Strong documentation, analytical, and leadership skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•ASQ certification (CQM/OE, CQA, or CQE)
•ISO 13485 lead auditor training
•Experience with FDA inspections and notified body audits
FLSA CLASSIFICATION NOTE
A medical device quality manager is almost always exempt under the administrative
or executive exemption. Classify by the actual primary duty and confirm against
current federal and state salary thresholds. This is general information, not
legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 5: Quality Assurance Manager
The QA-titled version for a manufacturing or production setting: the systems and procedures that prevent defects and ensure final product compliance. Not a software QA role.
Quality Assurance Manager Job Description
QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Plant Manager / Director of Operations]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (administrative or executive; see note)
Compensation: $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your operation and the quality assurance function
this manager will own. Note: this template is for a manufacturing or production
QA role, not software QA.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Quality Assurance Manager to ensure our products and
processes consistently meet customer, legal, and internal standards. You will own
the systems and procedures that prevent defects, manage final product compliance,
and keep quality documentation audit-ready.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Own the quality assurance system and procedures (QA vs reactive QC)
•Define and maintain quality standards, specifications, and acceptance criteria
•Ensure final product compliance with customer and legal requirements
•Manage audits, CAPA, and continuous improvement of the QA system
•Oversee inspection and testing programs and nonconformance handling
•Manage supplier quality assurance and incoming material standards
•Maintain quality records, procedures, and document control
•Lead the QA team and report quality metrics to leadership
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience
•5+ years of quality assurance experience, including supervision
•Knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality assurance principles
•Experience with audits, CAPA, and quality systems
•Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•ASQ certification (CQM/OE, CQA, or CQE)
•ISO 9001 lead auditor training
•Continuous improvement or statistical methods experience
FLSA CLASSIFICATION NOTE
A quality assurance manager is almost always exempt under the administrative or
executive exemption. Classify by the actual primary duty and confirm against
current federal and state salary thresholds. This is general information, not
legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
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Template 6: Quality Supervisor / QC Lead (Small Shop)
For a micro-business making its first quality hire: hands-on inspection plus light supervision, reporting to the owner or operations manager, with a non-exempt classification note.
Quality Supervisor / QC Lead Job Description
QUALITY SUPERVISOR / QC LEAD JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Owner / Operations Manager / Plant Manager]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: [Exempt or non-exempt by duties; see note]
Compensation: $_____ per year [or $______ per hour]
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your small operation and the hands-on quality role
this person will fill as your first dedicated quality hire.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Quality Supervisor to lead day-to-day quality work and
keep our products meeting standards. This is a hands-on role for a small operation:
you will run inspection and testing yourself, lead a small group of QC technicians,
maintain records, and report quality directly to the owner or operations manager.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Perform and oversee in-process and final inspection
•Lead and schedule a small team of QC technicians or inspectors
•Document nonconformances and drive corrective action
•Maintain quality records and basic document control
•Support the quality management system and audits
•Train team members on inspection and quality procedures
•Report quality issues and metrics to the owner or operations manager
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Quality control or inspection experience
•Some lead or senior experience preferred
•Knowledge of inspection, testing, and measurement methods
•Strong attention to detail and communication
•High school diploma or equivalent; technical training a plus
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•ASQ Certified Quality Inspector or Technician
•ISO 9001 familiarity
•Experience in your specific industry or product type
FLSA CLASSIFICATION NOTE
This role is a genuine gray area. If the primary duty is hands-on inspection and
testing, it is likely non-exempt and owed overtime, even on a salary. If the
primary duty is genuinely supervising two or more full-time employees, the
executive exemption may apply. Classify by the actual primary duty, not the title,
and confirm against current federal and state thresholds. This is general
information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year [or $______ per hour]
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Compliance by Industry: ISO, FDA, FSMA
This is the section the generic templates skip, and it is where a quality manager job description earns its keep. The responsibilities you write depend on the standard that governs your products, so match the duties to the regime below.
General manufacturing
ISO 9001:2015
The baseline quality management system. ISO 9001:2015 no longer mandates a named management representative, but the quality manager still de facto runs document control, internal audits, and management review. Automotive suppliers add IATF 16949.
Food production
FSMA, HACCP, SQF/GFSI
FSMA (21 CFR Part 117) requires a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual to prepare and oversee the food safety plan, a role the quality manager often fills, plus documented employee training. HACCP and a GFSI scheme such as SQF sit alongside.
Medical devices
FDA 21 CFR 820 (QMSR), ISO 13485
The QMSR took effect on February 2, 2026, amending Part 820 to incorporate ISO 13485:2016 by reference. It requires management responsibility, design controls, CAPA, and document and records control, all core quality manager duties.
Workplace safety overlap
OSHA
On small sites the quality manager often carries EHS duties too. Safety and quality documentation overlap, so the job description should be explicit about whether OSHA responsibilities are part of the role.
The Medical Device QMSR Took Effect February 2, 2026
The FDA's Quality Management System Regulation amended the device quality requirements of 21 CFR Part 820 to incorporate ISO 13485:2016 by reference, after a two-year transition from the February 2024 final rule. For a medical device maker, the quality manager carries management responsibility under this framework, so the job description should name QMSR and ISO 13485 explicitly rather than the older Part 820 language alone.
Whichever regime applies, the documentation burden lands on the quality manager and the systems around the role. For the broader compliance picture beyond quality standards, the Fair Labor Standards Act overview covers wage and hour rules that intersect with how you classify and pay the role.
FLSA: Why a Quality Manager Is Exempt
Unlike a hands-on quality lead, a quality manager is almost always exempt, and there are two clean routes to that status.
Administrative or Executive, but Confirm by Duties
Under the administrative exemption, the Department of Labor's guidance lists quality control among administrative functions, so a quality manager whose primary duty is office or non-manual work directly related to business operations, who exercises discretion and independent judgment on significant matters, and who is paid above the federal salary threshold generally qualifies. Under the executive exemption, a manager who runs a recognized quality department, customarily directs two or more full-time employees, and influences hiring and firing qualifies instead. The exception is a hands-on supervisor whose primary duty is manual inspection, who may be non-exempt. Classify by the actual primary duty, not the title, and confirm against current federal and state thresholds.
Keep the posting neutral and inclusive: the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic. For the full test, the exempt versus non-exempt guide explains the duties tests and the salary threshold in detail.
Quality Manager Pay
Benchmark to your specific industry and region rather than a single national number, and recognize that a small company typically pays toward the lower end of the range.
Production Manager Median $121,440; Inspector $47,460 (BLS)
The closest federal occupation, industrial production managers, which includes quality control systems managers, had a median annual wage of $121,440 as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest ten percent under $74,900 and the highest ten percent over $197,310. The front-line quality control inspectors a manager oversees had a median of $47,460. National compensation surveys for quality manager specifically tend to land somewhat below the broad production-manager median.
For a posting, benchmark to the specific industry and your region, expect a small company to pay toward the lower end, and include a good-faith range where pay transparency is required. The role is salaried and exempt in nearly all cases.
Who Hires a Quality Manager
This is the honest part the generic templates skip, and it is the one that matters most for a small employer deciding whether the role fits.
Small manufacturers hire quality managers too, not just big plants
Large plants concentrate most manufacturing employment, which makes the role look like an enterprise job. By headcount of firms it is the opposite. Census data show the vast majority of US manufacturers are small businesses, and a large share have well under 100 employees. Many small producers, food makers, and medical device shops need a quality manager because a customer contract, a GFSI audit, or an FDA requirement demands a formal quality function, not because they are large. The practical difference at a small company is that the quality manager wears several hats and there is rarely a dedicated HR department, so the owner or office manager writes the posting and runs the hire.
Manufacturing quality manager and software QA manager are different jobs
The same words point at two roles. The dominant meaning, and the one this page targets, is a manufacturing, food, or medical device quality manager who owns a quality management system for physical products under standards like ISO 9001, FSMA, or ISO 13485. The other is a software QA manager who leads engineers testing software, a technical role with different skills, tools, and pay benchmarks. They are not interchangeable. Decide which you mean before posting; the manufacturing version is the default reading of quality manager, while the software role is usually searched as QA manager.
The compliance work is exactly what onboarding and HR have to carry
A quality manager exists to keep a defensible record that products met standards, and much of that record is people operations made specific by quality. FSMA requires documented training. ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 require competence records. Audits ask for signed SOPs, training acknowledgments, and a clear org chart showing who owns quality. FirstHR fits that side for a small manufacturer with e-signature for offers and SOP sign-offs, training modules for ISO, FDA, HACCP, or PCQI onboarding, document management for quality and training records, and an org chart that records the management representative or PCQI role and the exempt classification. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a quality management or inspection system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those providers. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
If you are a smaller manufacturer weighing this, the practical move is to scale the role to your actual team size, classify it as exempt by the right test, and lean on the small-shop supervisor or general template. The small-business hiring guide covers the broader process for hiring without a large HR function.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same role becomes the basis for the offer, the exempt classification, and a structured, audit-ready onboarding, which matters more for a quality manager than almost any other hire because the role exists to keep records defensible.
Send the offer
Confirm the role, pay, exempt status, and start date in writing, with the offer letter signed by e-signature before day one.
Record the classification
A quality manager is almost always exempt under the administrative or executive test. Record the basis in the employee profile.
Train for the standard
Onboard on ISO 9001, FDA QMSR, FSMA PCQI, or HACCP as relevant, with signed acknowledgments and competence records kept on file.
Store the records
Keep the signed job description, classification basis, SOP sign-offs, and training records organized and audit-ready in one place.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the terms, and an onboarding template gives the new hire a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, e-signatures, SOP and training acknowledgments, document management, and an org chart in one place, with a way to record the management representative or PCQI role and the exempt classification in the employee profile, so a small manufacturer can run the hire and stay audit-ready without a dedicated HR department. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a quality management or inspection system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
A quality manager owns the quality management system and keeps products meeting customer and regulatory standards, with a defensible, audit-ready record.
The role splits sharply by industry: manufacturing under ISO 9001, food under FSMA and HACCP, and medical device under FDA QMSR and ISO 13485.
Manufacturing quality manager and software QA manager are different jobs; the bare term defaults to the manufacturing reading.
A quality manager is almost always exempt under the administrative or executive test; only a hands-on QC supervisor may be non-exempt.
The closest federal occupation reports a median near $121,000, though small companies typically pay toward the lower end.
Despite an enterprise reputation, most US manufacturers are small businesses, so the role is common at small companies driven by a customer or regulatory requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a quality manager do?
A quality manager owns a company's quality management system and keeps products and processes meeting customer and regulatory standards. The core work includes maintaining the quality system such as ISO 9001, leading internal and external audits, managing corrective and preventive action and root-cause analysis, overseeing inspection and testing, managing supplier quality, maintaining quality records and document control, leading quality staff, driving continuous improvement, and reporting quality metrics to leadership. The exact emphasis depends on the industry. A manufacturing quality manager focuses on process control and defect reduction, a food safety and quality manager serves as the PCQI under FSMA, and a medical device quality manager holds management responsibility under FDA and ISO 13485. Across all of them the goal is consistent quality and a defensible, audit-ready record.
Is a quality manager exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A quality manager is almost always exempt. There are two routes. Under the administrative exemption, the Department of Labor's guidance lists quality control among administrative functions, so a manager whose primary duty is office or non-manual work directly related to business operations, who exercises discretion and independent judgment on significant matters, and who is paid above the federal salary threshold generally qualifies. Under the executive exemption, a manager who runs a recognized quality department, customarily directs two or more full-time employees, and has authority or influence over hiring and firing qualifies. At typical quality manager pay levels and with these duties, exempt status is straightforward. The exception is a hands-on quality supervisor or QC lead whose primary duty is manual inspection, who may be non-exempt. Classify by the actual primary duty, not the title, and confirm against current thresholds. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between a quality manager and a quality assurance manager?
In manufacturing the two titles are usually treated as synonyms for the same role, and top job description sources often define them together. Where a distinction is drawn, quality assurance leans toward the proactive systems and procedures that prevent defects, while quality control leans toward the reactive inspection and testing that catches them, and a quality manager owns both. The bigger ambiguity is industry, not title: a quality assurance manager in manufacturing owns physical product quality, while a quality assurance manager in software leads engineers testing code, which is a different job with different pay. When writing the posting, match the title to the actual scope and name the industry clearly so candidates self-select correctly. This page covers the manufacturing, food, and medical device versions, not software QA.
What is the difference between a quality manager and a quality engineer?
A quality manager owns the quality function: the system, the audits, the team, the metrics, and the relationship with leadership and customers. A quality engineer is a technical individual contributor who applies quality methods to specific problems, such as designing inspection plans, running statistical process control, leading root-cause investigations, and supporting product and process development. The manager sets direction and is accountable for the overall quality system; the engineer solves defined technical problems within it. In a small company one person may do both, but the titles signal different scope and seniority. Use quality manager when the role owns the function and leads people, and quality engineer when it is a technical role focused on methods and analysis.
How much does a quality manager make?
The closest federal occupation is industrial production managers, which includes quality control systems managers, with a median annual wage of $121,440 as of the May 2024 data. The lowest ten percent earned less than $74,900 and the highest ten percent more than $197,310. National compensation surveys for quality manager specifically tend to land somewhat lower than the broad production-manager median, often in the low to mid six figures depending on industry, region, and company size. The front-line quality control inspectors a manager oversees had a much lower median of $47,460. For a posting, benchmark to your specific industry and region, recognize that a small company typically pays toward the lower end, and include a good-faith range where pay transparency is required. This is general information, not legal advice.
Does a small business really need a quality manager?
Often yes, and more often than the role's enterprise reputation suggests. Census data show the vast majority of US manufacturers are small businesses, many with well under 100 employees, and a great many of them need a formal quality function. The trigger is usually a requirement rather than size: a customer contract that demands ISO 9001 certification, a GFSI or SQF audit for a food product, or FDA and ISO 13485 obligations for a medical device. When one of those applies, even a 20 to 50 person company needs someone accountable for the quality system. At that scale the quality manager wears several hats and there is rarely a dedicated HR department, so the small-shop supervisor template or a scaled-down general template usually fits better than an enterprise job description.
What certifications should a quality manager have?
Certifications are usually preferred rather than strictly required, and the relevant ones depend on the industry. ASQ credentials are the most widely recognized in manufacturing, including the Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence, Certified Quality Engineer, and Certified Quality Auditor. ISO 9001 lead auditor training is valuable wherever ISO 9001 applies, and ISO 13485 lead auditor training for medical devices. In food production, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual and HACCP training matter, with SQF Practitioner certification useful for GFSI audits. For a small manufacturer, hands-on experience and familiarity with the specific applicable standard often weigh more than any single credential. List certifications as preferred to keep the candidate pool open and weight practical experience for your industry and scale. This is general information, not legal advice.
What standards and regulations apply to a quality manager role?
It depends entirely on the industry. General manufacturing centers on ISO 9001:2015, with IATF 16949 added for automotive suppliers. Food production is governed by FSMA, which requires a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual to own the food safety plan, alongside HACCP and a GFSI scheme such as SQF. Medical devices fall under FDA 21 CFR Part 820, now the Quality Management System Regulation that took effect on February 2, 2026 and incorporates ISO 13485:2016 by reference. On small sites the quality manager often also carries OSHA and workplace safety duties. Name the specific standards that apply to your operation in the job description, because they define the real responsibilities and the certifications you should look for. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should a quality manager job description include?
A strong quality manager job description first resolves the industry: general manufacturing, food, medical device, or a QA-titled manufacturing role. It opens with a position summary that frames ownership of the quality function, then groups responsibilities into the quality system and audits, corrective action and improvement, inspection and supplier quality, and leadership and reporting. It names the specific standards that apply, such as ISO 9001, FSMA and HACCP, or FDA QMSR and ISO 13485, and lists required experience and preferred certifications like ASQ. It states the FLSA classification, noting that a quality manager is almost always exempt. For a small company it scales the scope down rather than copying an enterprise role. Close with pay and a good-faith range where required, an equal opportunity statement, and clear application instructions. This is general information, not legal advice.
