ISO 17025 Quality Manager

Career Guide

An ISO 17025 Quality Manager leads the quality system for a testing or calibration laboratory to ensure results are reliable, repeatable, and accepted by customers and accreditation bodies. The role focuses on maintaining compliance with ISO 17025 requirements, strengthening laboratory processes, and preparing the organization for assessments and audits.

Browse All Roles

Key Responsibilities

Own and maintain the ISO 17025 quality management system
Plan and run internal audits and follow up on corrective actions
Lead management reviews and track quality objectives
Manage nonconformities, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
Oversee document control for procedures, records, and templates
Support method validation, verification, and ongoing method performance monitoring
Coordinate proficiency testing participation and follow up on results
Monitor measurement traceability and calibration status of equipment
Train staff on quality procedures and competence requirements
Prepare for accreditation assessments and respond to assessment findings
Partner with laboratory leadership to reduce errors and improve turnaround time
Review customer complaints and drive preventive actions

Top Skills for Success

ISO 17025 Knowledge

Audit Management

Corrective Action Management

Root Cause Analysis

Document Control

Quality Management Systems

Risk Management

Training Program Development

Stakeholder Communication

Change Management

Data Analysis

Laboratory Operations Knowledge

Measurement Traceability

Method Validation

Proficiency Testing Management

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Quality Manager

Laboratory Quality Director

Accreditation Program Manager

Global Quality Manager

Quality Assurance Director

Transition Opportunities

Laboratory Manager

Regulatory Compliance Manager

Supplier Quality Manager

Technical Manager

Quality Systems Consultant

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Assessment Readiness PlanningMeasurement UncertaintyMethod VerificationProficiency Testing InterpretationMetrics ReportingSupplier Quality Oversight

Development SuggestionsBuild a simple audit and assessment calendar, practice writing clear corrective actions with evidence, and strengthen technical depth in measurement uncertainty and method performance monitoring. Create a small set of quality metrics that leadership reviews monthly and use them to prioritize improvements.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 75,000 to 95,000

Mid LevelUSD 95,000 to 125,000

Senior LevelUSD 125,000 to 160,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand. Hiring remains strong in regulated testing, environmental labs, food testing, and industrial calibration where accreditation and audit readiness are business critical.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

SGSIntertekBureau VeritasEurofins ScientificTÜV SÜDUL SolutionsALS LimitedElement Materials TechnologyMérieux NutriSciencesA2LA Accredited Laboratories

Industry Sectors

Environmental TestingFood TestingPharmaceutical TestingMedical Device TestingChemical TestingMaterials TestingForensic TestingIndustrial CalibrationEnergy TestingConsumer Product Testing

Recommended Next Steps

Review the latest ISO 17025 standard and map each clause to current laboratory procedures

Create a one page audit program with scope, frequency, and reporting expectations

Build a corrective action template that captures root cause, fix, prevention, and effectiveness check

Develop a training matrix that links each role to competence requirements and refresher timing

Standardize document control rules for versioning, approvals, and record retention

Partner with technical leaders to review method validation, verification, and ongoing checks

Prepare a ready to assess checklist for accreditation visits and run a mock assessment