What To Expect From Your Quality Control Inspector/Trainer

A Quality Control inspector, wearing the company blazer while clasping either their notepad or possibly a hand held device, is next to worthless unless they know how to use their position for the better of the company.  

Too many Quality Control inspectors today are PR people who work on having a good relationship with key people in the building without looking at the bigger picture.  They may take the right person to lunch and will even listen to their concerns about past problems and promise to take corrective steps.  They may even have a conversation with the onsite supervisor and review their inspections with a promise to return soon to verify appropriate steps have been taken.  Many of their actions can simply be to protect their job.  Unless they have the right background and perform at least the following functions during each site visit, they probably are not of any real value:

• Does this person know how to clean to the company standard?  This means they must have been in the trenches long enough to understand the job.

• Does this person have custodial background that allows them to have the “eye” for what is and is not “Sat” based on the company values and specifications?

• Does this person have superior communication skills which means they know how to listen to not only the customer but also to the company staff?

• Does this person have the trust of the owner and upper management to make recommendations for prompt remedial action?

• Does this person have the initiative and authority to take immediate corrective steps for areas that absolutely cannot continue once they become aware of the deficiency?  Items that come to mind include front entrance, custodial closet, rest rooms and anything that has been missed at least once before within the last week or so?  This may require their being accompanied by a staff member to assist in taking the corrective steps?

• Does this person know how to train supervision, floor techs and front line workers in standard company practices to achieve predetermined results?

The Quality Control Inspector/Trainer should be chosen, trained and managed carefully since they can make a tremendous difference in keeping current business and acquiring new business from the same customer.  

I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean...

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678.314.2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net.