How Did You Get Into Quality / Food Safety?

Was it a conscious decision? Is it a lifetime's ambition realised? Or did you get shunted into the position because you showed an aptitude for filling in questionnaires, dotting I's and crossing T's?

I got into Quality direct from University after studying for a degree in Quality Management as a mature student. To be honest I found it quite boring and didn't have a clue how all of the theory fitted together or indeed what it really meant. I couldn't make the connection until I got my first role as a Quality Manager in a manufacturing company, then the theory did stand me in good stead.

They say the best Quality Managers usually start off on the shop floor and rise through the ranks.

How about you?

Regards,
Simon

They say the best Quality Managers usually start off on the shop floor and rise through the ranks.

I initially got involved with quality assurance (As it was then called) within the, Military shipyards.
The military standards were the standard of use and, BS 57/50 (The pre-cursor to ISO9001) was on the horizon. I always felt and still do feel that, the ISO standards have been detrimental to the industry, adding beurocracy to the so called "Quality industry.
The possitive aspects of the ISO standards have been eclipsed by sound alternatives such as the Vanguard standards and the use of standardized improvement initiatives such as Kaizen.
Having said this, it's clear that ISO isn't going away yet, I firmly believe the ISO standards shall be seen as a means to an end in the future. Who knows what we'll end up with in the future, I'm convinced though that, the word Quality shall be merged with a generic definition of just plain old Business management.
I further became involved with Quality initiatives in North America (Canada) when I immigrated to this land of milk and honey (Yeah right).
IMO FWIW, I firmly beloeve that, the best and gifted Quality folk are those who understand and live by the principles of systems thinking, regardless of their station.
Wallace.

Dear Saferpakers,

following my two pennies. I graduated in chemistry as I loved and currently love this science and never thought about my job opportunities until I had to start working.

It was quite funny I went to my first job selection interview where I met a guy who believed that chemistry graduates are able to do every kind of work, from Marketing to Research & Development up to IT and so on ...

Actually the guy was the CEO of the company, hence I joined them because I was the only chemistry graduate applicant

It was a pharma company. The mission was to set up a new R&D Lab. but due to lack of QC personnel I was asked to join the QC department for chemical analysis (remember chemists are able to do everything ).

I was successful in QC and so I was part time enrolled in QC Department which I disliked because I found it very boring . Every day doing the same stupid things in the same stupid way

I immediately started looking for a new job and subsequently I had the opportunity to earn a considerable amount of money if I joined a Brewery as QC Manager.

I left the Brewery after four years of drinking (I was supposed to test product quality ) and after that I joined my present company (we're into spirits business) as QA and QC Manager, without knowing the difference between QC and QA .

I had to study on my own and understand the meaning of the word "quality" because quality itself and related issues were practically unknown to me
I gradually became aware of their importance for my company and my personal development

Clearly it was my karma, my doom. I didn't know at the time, but now I have realized it. They're currently keeping me in a job, so what's better ? :D

By accident !!

Time served Toolmaker (MOD , yes I signed the Officila Secrets Act !)

Got into moulding , Production Engineering, Works Management, General Management, Production Management, all in plastics.

Had an interview a number of years ago, that was a 'mystery' position (too long a story for now). It was a Quality Managers job. And I got it!!

They had to convince me to do it though.

The guy was right, as my methods etc are all relevant to the positiuon, just did not know it!!

So there you are.