1. Job Purpose

The Assistant Quality Controller is responsible for supporting the Quality Department in carrying out routine inspections, measurements, testing and quality-control activities throughout the manufacturing process.

The role assists in ensuring that incoming materials, in-process products and finished products comply with approved specifications, applicable standards, customer requirements and the company’s Quality Management System.

The Assistant Quality Controller will work closely with the Quality Controller,

Production Supervisors and Operators to identify quality deviations, maintain accurate quality records and ensure that non-conforming products are identified and reported.

Previous experience in PVC and/or PE manufacturing, particularly plastic pipe extrusion and injection moulding, will be considered an advantage.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Incoming Raw Material Inspection • Assist with the inspection and verification of incoming raw materials.

•        Check material identification, batch/lot numbers and relevant supplier documentation.

•        Assist with sampling of raw materials where required.

•        Report damaged, contaminated or suspected non-conforming materials to the Quality Controller.

•        Assist with maintaining raw material traceability records.

B. In-Process Quality Inspection

Perform routine inspections during production, including PVC and PE extrusion and injection moulding operations.

Responsibilities include:

•        Conducting scheduled production quality checks.

•        Verifying products against approved specifications and Works Orders.

•        Checking product dimensions using approved measuring equipment.

•        Checking product weight and length where applicable.

•        Checking outside diameter, inside diameter and wall thickness.

•        Conducting visual inspections for defects, colour, surface finish and workmanship.

•        Inspecting sockets, fittings and other product characteristics where applicable.

•        Taking and identifying production samples.

•        Recording inspection results accurately.

•        Immediately reporting products that fall outside specification.

The Assistant Quality Controller must not approve or accept products that do not meet the specified requirements without authorisation from the responsible Quality or Management personnel.

C. Product Testing

Assist with and perform approved laboratory and production quality tests, which may include:

•        Dimensional testing

•        Weight verification

•        Length verification

•        Wall thickness measurement

•        Diameter measurement

•        Hydrostatic pressure testing

•        Impact testing

•        Compression testing

•        Bend and flexibility testing

•        Visual inspection

•        Socket and fitting inspection

•        Other tests required by applicable product specifications and standards

All testing must be conducted according to approved procedures and the results accurately recorded.

D. Laboratory Duties

•        Assist with the daily operation and housekeeping of the quality laboratory.

•        Prepare samples for testing.

•        Ensure samples are correctly identified and traceable.

•        Clean and maintain testing and measuring equipment.

•        Ensure equipment is returned to its correct storage location after use.

•        Check that measuring equipment is within its calibration period before use.

•        Report damaged, defective or out-of-calibration equipment.

•        Assist with maintaining laboratory and calibration records.

 

E. Non-Conforming Products

•        Identify products suspected of being outside specification.

•        Immediately inform the Quality Controller and/or Production Supervisor.

•        Clearly identify and segregate non-conforming products.

•        Assist with transferring rejected or suspect products to the appropriate Quarantine, Rework or Damaged Goods area.

•        Assist with completing Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs).

•        Assist with quality investigations and root-cause analysis.

•        Assist with verification of corrective actions.

•        Monitor previously identified defects for recurrence.

F. Finished Product Inspection

•        Assist with final product inspections before products are released to Finished Goods.

•        Verify that required quality inspections and tests have been completed.

•        Confirm product identification, quantity and specifications where required.

•        Check product appearance and workmanship.

•        Verify that required quality documentation has been completed.

•        Escalate any uncertainty regarding product conformity before release.

G. Quality Documentation

Assist with maintaining accurate quality records, including:

•        Production quality checklists

•        Inspection sheets

•        Laboratory test results

•        First-off and last-off inspection records

•        Non-Conformance Reports

•        Calibration records

•        Raw material inspection records

•        Product traceability records

•        Quality investigation records

All records must be completed accurately, legibly and at the required time.

H. Quality Management System & Standards

•        Follow approved Quality Procedures, SOPs and Work Instructions.

•        Support the requirements of the company’s ISO 9001 Quality Management System.

•        Assist with internal and external quality audits.

•        Assist with product certification and regulatory requirements where applicable.

•        Support requirements associated with the Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB) and other applicable product standards.

•        Ensure quality documentation is properly maintained and available for audits.

I. Production Support

•        Work closely with Production Operators and Supervisors.

•        Provide feedback when quality checks identify a deviation.

•        Assist with production trials and product validation.

•        Assist with monitoring product quality following machine start-up or parameter changes.

•        Support investigations into scrap, rework and production defects.

•        Assist with continuous improvement activities aimed at reducing defects and improving product consistency.

J. Health, Safety & Housekeeping

•        Follow all company Health & Safety procedures.

•        Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

•        Maintain good housekeeping within the laboratory and inspection areas.

•        Use testing and measuring equipment safely.

•        Report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment or unsafe practices.

•        Follow all applicable factory safety rules.

3. Authority & Escalation

The Assistant Quality Controller is authorised to:

•        Identify and report suspected non-conforming products.

•        Clearly mark and segregate products pending further inspection.

•        Request that questionable products are held for inspection by the Quality Controller or authorised Manager.

•        Immediately escalate serious quality concerns.

The Assistant Quality Controller must not independently approve deviations from product specifications or authorise the release of non-conforming products unless specifically authorised by Management.

4. Minimum Qualifications

•        Certificate, Diploma or equivalent qualification in Quality Control, Manufacturing, Engineering, Polymer/Plastics Technology, Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field would be advantageous.

•        Candidates with suitable manufacturing experience and strong technical/numerical ability may also be considered.

•        Training or knowledge of ISO 9001 would be an advantage.

 

5. Experience

•        Previous experience within a manufacturing or quality-control environment is preferred.

•        Experience in PVC and PE manufacturing, injection moulding and/or plastic pipe extrusion is an advantage.

•        Experience in plastic pipes, fittings, conduits or similar products would be advantageous.

•        Experience using measuring and testing equipment would be advantageous.

•        Knowledge of manufacturing inspections, testing and quality documentation would be beneficial.

Candidates with limited direct quality-control experience may be considered where they demonstrate strong technical ability, attention to detail and a willingness to learn.

6. Required Skills

The Assistant Quality Controller should have:

•        Good numerical skills.

•        Strong attention to detail.

•        Basic understanding of manufacturing quality control.

•        Ability to follow written procedures and product specifications.

•        Ability to use or learn to use Vernier calipers, micrometers, weighing scales and other measuring equipment.

•        Good record-keeping skills.

•        Basic Microsoft Excel and Word skills.

•        Good communication skills.

•        Ability to identify and report abnormalities.

•        Ability to work independently after appropriate training.

•        Good problem-solving ability.

7. Personal Competencies

The successful candidate should be:

•        Reliable and punctual.

•        Honest and accountable.

•        Quality conscious.

•        Detail oriented.

•        Organised and systematic.

•        Willing to learn.

•        Able to follow instructions accurately.

•        Comfortable working within a factory environment.

•        Able to communicate quality concerns professionally.

•        Able to work as part of a Production and Quality team.

Willing to raise quality concerns even when production is under pressure.

8. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance may be measured against:

•        Completion of required quality inspections.

•        Accuracy of measurements and testing.

•        Accuracy and completeness of quality records.

•        Compliance with inspection and testing frequencies.

•        Timely identification and reporting of non-conforming products.

•        Product traceability compliance.

•        Laboratory housekeeping.

•        Proper handling of measuring and testing equipment.

•        Compliance with calibration requirements.

•        Compliance with SOPs and quality procedures.

•        Support in reducing recurring defects, scrap and rework.

•        Attendance, punctuality and reliability.

9. Working Conditions

The position is factory-based and requires regular work within production and laboratory areas.

The employee may be required to:

•        Work around operating extrusion and injection moulding machinery.

•        Work in areas with manufacturing noise and elevated temperatures.

•        Stand and walk for extended periods.

•        Handle and inspect production samples, pipes and fittings.

•        Work flexible hours or shifts where required to support production operations.

•        Wear the required PPE while working in designated areas.