Quality controller; Quality analyst; Quality control analyst

Quality has become a crucial factor in determining companies' competitiveness, building up trust among customers and consumers with regards to the product supplied and ensuring a heightened degree of efficiency in processes. The aim of quality control is to meet the quality targets required for the different operations. It covers the whole of the production process, from raw materials to final products, including all of the possible intermediate stages. The role of the quality control technician has emerged as a progression of the figure of the laboratory analyst, and forms part of production support teams or companies' quality departments. Their responsibilities include taking statistic samples of raw materials and intermediate and finished products, carrying out routine and non-routine tests using set methods, calibrating and performing maintenance on equipment, managing the documentation related to trials and samples, ensuring compliance with specifications, reviewing possible deviations, and drawing up technical documentation. These technicians may specialise in a particular area of the quality control process (raw materials, process control, inventories, product assessment, R&D, etc.), and may, as they gain more experience, move up in the company, becoming shift quality managers, laboratory supervisors or quality assurance technicians.

• Carry out preparatory tasks prior to performing control trials on raw materials and products.
  Be familiar with the daily work orders in order to know which products to control.
  Take and identify representative samples according to established procedures and statistical parameters.
  Perform the separation of gas, liquid and solid mixtures using the most suitable technique.
  Perform maintenance on, calibrate and control the laboratory instruments and equipment.
  Clean and repair the equipment and machinery used in the trials.
• Responsible for performing routine and non-routine tests on raw materials and products throughout all of the stages of the production chain, using validated methodologies.
  Interpret test procedures, media, products and reagents to be utilised and the data to be obtained.
  Perform physical and physicochemical tests to analyse the properties of materials and identify substances, including measuring viscosity and humidity.
  Perform qualitative and quantitative chemical tests to identify and measure chemical substances, using simple instrumental techniques.
  Identify and count existing microorganisms through microbiological testing.
  Analyse water samples to ensure the quality of the water being used in the production process, according to the established working procedure.
  Perform stability testing on products.
  Review and update operational procedures, sometimes helping to resolve analytical or instrumental problems.
• Establish whether or not the raw, intermediate and packaging materials comply with the quality control specifications.
  Review the data obtained and prepare validation or deviation reports with regards to specification compliance, analysing non conformities.
  Prepare analysis certificates and ensure that batch records have been revised prior to being approved by the laboratory or department manager.
  Recommend modifications to the existing standard quality or production parameters in order to maximise the quality within the capacity.
• Record data from and draw up technical reports on the basis of the tests performed, communicating the results to the manager.
  Input data and control documents, applying statistic quality control procedures.
  Maintain quality control records for the tests, reagents, suppliers and equipment, according to the regulations.
  Help to draw up quality control-related standard operating procedures (SOP).
• At all times act according to the established health and safety, quality and environmental standards, ensuring compliance therewith.
  Operate all of the equipment used in the quality control process, according to the SOP specifications.
  Provide quality control-related technical support to the production and R&D departments.

Regulated training and graduates

• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Chemical Professional Families - Advanced Level: Chemical industry
• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Chemical Professional Families - Advanced Level: Pharmaceutical, biotechnological and Related Product Production
• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Chemical Professional Families - Advanced Level: Laboratory for analysis and quality control
• Grau: Química
• Grau: Enginyeria química
• Grau: Farmàcia
• Grau: Enginyeria en organització industrial

Complementary training

• Knowledge of the application of the ISO 9000:2000 standard and its methodology.
• Knowledge of good laboratory practices (GLP) and good manufacturing practices (GMP).
• Training and experience in document management and data analysis.
• Sound knowledge of analytical methods and techniques (gas-liquid chromatography, spectrophotometry, atomic absorption, etc.).
• Basic knowledge of statistical methods to obtain, interpret and present information.
• Continued in-company training.

Other specific skills

• Ablility to interpret the procedures for test results and the terminology and symbols associated with them.
• User-level IT skills. A working knowledge of spreadsheets and chromatography software (Chemstation, Millennium/Empower) is an asset.
• Driving license and own vehicle.
• Intermediate level of English.
• Experience working with hazardous materials.

Analytical thought: Level 2

Orientation within reach: Level 2

Conceptual thought: Level 2

Concern for order and quality: Level 2

Team work and cooperation: Level 1

Initiative: Level 2

Scientific research

Individuals who have an affinity for the field of scientific research focus their interest on activities that study different types of organisms and substances in order to obtain valuable products for human beings. A key part of performing this task is the planning and verification of scientific hypotheses through the use of different research designs and techniques. The objective of these searches is the development of new medicines and medical techniques, technological innovation based on the manipulation of cells, molecules and biological agents, as well as the study of cultures in order to improve the characteristics and properties of plants and food.

Logistics

The planning, organisation, control and carrying out of logistics and administrative tasks are the focus of people who work in the field of logistics. Activities in the field of logistics include the organisation and planning of supply, storage, production and distribution systems, taking inventories, controlling stock and estimating production, as well as the organisation and/or carrying out of the administrative tasks necessary for the implementation of these activities. Knowledge of organisation, control and management techniques is essential for carrying out these activities.

Mechanical handling

People related to the field of mechanical handling are interested in the assembly, maintenance, repair and use of machines, tools and installations. Some good examples of professional activities in the field of mechanical handling are adjusting and configuring machines, reviewing technical equipment to detect incidents in their operation, handling machinery in production processes and driving specialised vehicles.

Process controller

Drug development technician.

Chemical Laboratory Technician

Pharmaceutical regulation technician

Biotechnology quality technician

• Work hours

  Split-shift, continuous or in turns. These workers usually work full-time, with various different timetables possible depending on the production needs and the types of processes involved in obtaining the products. At companies that operate continuously or with continuous batch processes, it is common for there to be flexible hours, with professionals required to be available for rotating shifts (morning, afternoon and night), since the quality control process must be performed on a continuous basis. On the case of companies that work on a non-continuous batch basis, professionals may work continuous, and even intensive shifts, split-shifts or rotating morning and afternoon shifts, usually from Monday to Friday. There may also be some part-time workers, depending on the company's needs.

• Salary

  The average salary for this occupation ranges from 18.283 to 25.604 euros per annum gross, depending on the candidate's experience and the size of the industry. Median: 21.635 euros annum gross. This figure may rise for highly skilled staff.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.

• Professional category

  Technician