Internal vs. External Quality Manager: What's the Difference?
According to Réda Idir, director of Eagle Enginerring; today more than ever the future of the quality manager profession is in question. Most Moroccan companies that have adopted a quality (or environmental, or safety) approach have had to create this new profession. This has created many job opportunities for both internal and external quality managers over the past ten years. Today, the post-certification period threatens the future of this job.
Thus, our expert indicates that it is imperative to distinguish between two types of quality managers: the internal quality manager and the external quality manager. The internal quality manager works for a company, organization, or group of companies. He or she is responsible for the implementation, management, and maintenance of one or more management systems. Whether it is a quality management system, environmental, safety or other. The resulting position is often called "quality manager". As for the external quality manager, he intervenes on a punctual basis to assist, advise or audit a company for one or more management systems. The resulting positions are often called "consultant", "trainer" or "auditor".
The important thing to remember is that one cannot replace the other, but they are complementary. Another crucial point is that the studies that have been carried out have shown that half of the quality managers currently in post have been there through field experience and the other half have followed a degree-granting training course in the field. This explains that the profession of quality manager is first and foremost a practitioner's profession, mainly chosen by technicians with a basic training. However, it should be noted that it requires good experience in management. The skills required for an internal quality manager are not all the same as for an external quality manager. "Moreover, it is important to note that a good quality manager can be a bad consultant and vice versa." indicates Réda Idir. And adds: "What is required of an internal quality manager is first and foremost to be a good manager who communicates well and is well organized.
What is required of an external quality manager is first and foremost to be a good teacher who knows how to transfer skills well and who has an observer's eye, good listening skills and an analytical mind." For the internal quality manager, the advantage is always working on unifying projects with cross-functional learning of the company's professions. It is not surprising to see quality managers taking on new, more important responsibilities. For the external quality manager, the advantage is autonomy and diversity of learning.
The difficulties encountered by quality managers in the exercise of their positions are numerous, including the inability to continuously mobilize managers or even executives, the inability to manage sensitivities and relationships with colleagues... Thus, to schematize, Réda Idir indicates the "pluses" of the function: transversal; extensive; rewarding, exciting; autonomous; lively; evolving; rich in learning and renewal... As for the "minuses": too consensual; wearing; sticky; fuse; hat; left behind; free electron; risk of seasonal valuation and black holes... When asked about the future of the profession, our professional affirms: "that this profession still has bright days ahead of it, as many Moroccan companies have still not adopted the quality, environmental, or safety approach. To this must be added that standards and reference frameworks are evolving and continue to be created. However, for companies that are already certified, the problem arises for the quality manager who must justify his or her function. For this, we advise the quality manager to innovate in their function and to continuously integrate good practices allowing the company to evolve more and more towards excellence."
Published on February 22, 2011
Posted online on February 28, 2011
