What is IQC? What skills do IQC staff need?

QC

QC and QC staff

QC - Quality Control is the process of inspecting and ensuring the quality of products. This is an essential department in quality management.

The job of QC staff is to participate in the inspection and evaluation of product quality before the packaging and distribution to the market. The QC stage is integrated into the production process to ensure the quality of the product's output.

Read more: What is QA?

What does QC staff do?

QC staff are individuals who participate in controlling the quality of various production stages to ensure the quality of the final product meets predefined standards.

QC staff are divided into three positions with different responsibilities and job characteristics:

• Incoming Quality Control staff (IQC)
• Process Quality Control staff (PQC)
• Outgoing Quality Control staff (OQC)

In this article, we will delve further into the IQC - Input Quality Control position.

What is IQC?

What is IQC?

IQC, or Input Quality Control, refers to the process of controlling the quality of incoming materials and goods before they are used in the production of a product.

This is an extremely important task as it directly impacts the operation and output of a business. Controlling the quality of materials from the very beginning ensures uninterrupted production operations. Consequently, it helps prevent unnecessary costs and delays, which can affect the reputation and business activities of the enterprise.

How important is IQC?

IQC is particularly important, especially for businesses with large-scale production operations. When dealing with a large and diverse quantity of incoming goods and materials, managing the total quantity and assessing their quality can be challenging. How many items meet the requirements? What is the quality of the products? Are there any items that need to be returned?

It's very difficult to manage all of this without controlling the quality of input materials and supplies. For some goods that don't meet the standards and are introduced into the production process, it can have serious consequences for the production line and the business. There is a significant risk to the quality of the final products, which can damage the reputation and prestige of the company.

Therefore, to ensure the quality of the output products, businesses must ensure the quality of input materials through the implementation of quality control procedures in the production process.

What are the roles and

Inspect incoming materials, supplies, and goods

These are the daily tasks of IQC:

• Inspect and assess the source materials: quality, quantity...
• Detect materials that do not meet the requirements, report to the management department, and propose timely solutions.

Read more: 7 QC Tools

Monitor the usage and quality of materials and supplies throughout the production process.

• Monitor and manage the quality of materials and supplies to ensure product quality.
• Identify, determine the causes of, and propose corrective actions when discrepancies occur.
• Have the authority to suspend the use of materials if issues are detected.

Working with and evaluating suppliers

• Collaborating with suppliers to exchange and address information on issues and incidents
• Compiling opinions and proposing quality improvement suggestions to suppliers regarding materials and supplies
• Evaluating and recommending changes to suppliers, if necessary, in coordination with the procurement department

Other tasks

• Collaborating with related departments to propose development plans and enhance product quality
• Researching and proposing ways to improve the efficiency of the IQC department
• Searching for potential suppliers.

What skills do IQC staff need?

Management Skills

This is one of the crucial skills that IQC staff need to possess. Strong management skills enable IQC staff to efficiently manage incoming materials and supplies with close control over quantity and quality. Management skills also facilitate the smooth transportation of materials without delays. Additionally, management skills help IQC staff prioritize tasks to complete their assigned duties effectively.

Monitoring and Supervision Skills

IQC must possess observation and supervision skills. Effective coordination ensures that workflow proceeds smoothly.

Problem-solving Skills

There are always potential risks that can occur during work. IQC needs problem-solving skills to detect issues and have quick resolution plans in place to avoid delays in work progress.

Which fields does IQC work in?

Mechanical Engineering and Automation

In engineering fields, precision is essential for the assembly of tools, equipment, and the design of mechanical products. Even the smallest components like screws must meet the specified dimensions for machines to be assembled and operate according to quality standards.

Food Industry

The food industry always requires stringent safety standards, as it directly affects human health. Not only large restaurants and hotels but also small eateries need to closely control the quality of their inputs.

Textile Industry

In the textile industry, the tasks of IQC involve inspecting and evaluating the quality of design samples, cutting, and raw materials.

PN