QSE managers: an in-depth look at a key role

Professionalization: this is the main finding of the major study conducted by the AFNOR group for the social network. Crossing Paths , among its 17,000 members of the quality-safety-environment community. Nearly 3,000 took part in the game and took a photograph of themselves. This gave the following initial figure: 99.7% are graduates, the vast majority of whom have specialized QSE training (two out of three), with 70% having a bachelor's degree or higher. By way of comparison, only 55% held an equivalent level of qualification in 2010, an increase that can be explained by the rejuvenation of the profession. Today, the average age of professionals in the field is 39, compared to 40 in 2010. And 19% of QSE professionals are under 30. "A dual training program is necessary for the QSE professionals of tomorrow: technical training to master the tools, manage audit mechanisms, and acquire recognized expertise in these areas. And management training to know how to use relational resources and be a good teacher in order to change practices around them, always keeping the notion of performance in mind," comments Alexis Roche, lecturer and head of the CIPG master's program at IAE Lyon.

Is QSE a job for men or women? The distribution reversed between 2010 and 2018: starting at 48% in 2010, the proportion of women now stands at 54%. "However, women remain in the minority in positions of responsibility," notes Karine Georges, head of research for the AFNOR group. For example, 62% of directors are men. But the differences will gradually fade, because the 54% of women working in QSE are also younger (37 years old on average versus 41 years old for men) and more likely to have obtained a QSE degree (70% versus 62% of men). Sooner or later, they will be promoted."

QSE managers: loyalty and seniority

With an average of nine and a half years' experience in the QSE field, professionals in the sector are increasingly experienced and demonstrate their commitment to their profession... But also their loyalty to their company: on average, they have only worked for two different organizations. This stability can be explained by the nature of their contracts: 94% are permanent contracts and 95% are full-time, with 67% holding executive positions. Half of the respondents are managers.

Infographic showing the areas of activity of QSE professionals. Another key factor is interest in the position. Over the past three years, two out of three respondents have seen their responsibilities expand, most often as a result of company reorganization. Among these enriching activities, involvement in audit assignments is often cited: 85% of QSE professionals are involved in audits, most often internal audits (72% versus 13% for external audits). Having an international scope of action is also a source of enrichment, but few experience this on a daily basis: 70% of QSE professionals work within national borders.  Finally, QSE professionals like to deal with a variety of topics: quality, safety, risks, and the environment are, logically, the ones they deal with on a daily basis, but their field of action sometimes also touches on service excellence or hygiene, and, to a lesser extent, QWL, CSR, or energy.

And what about remuneration? The average fixed annual salary is €41,000 gross. This figure covers a wide range of situations. It should be noted that, as in other professions, there is a significant disparity between men (€44,500) and women (€38,000). Unsurprisingly, the more qualified QSE professionals are, the better they are paid. This difference does not diminish with experience. Finally, whether in industry or the service sector, public or private, the survey does not reveal any significant differences in remuneration according to field of activity. On the other hand, the size of the organization and its location, in the Paris region or in the provinces, are more significant factors. In addition, 47% of respondents indicate that they also receive variable compensation in the form of profit-sharing, incentive plans, or bonuses linked to the achievement of objectives or merit: on average, €5,500 gross per year.

QSE professionals: high satisfaction with positions of responsibility

But ultimately, are QSE professionals satisfied with their work? On a scale of 1 to 10, respondents gave a score of 6.43. This average figure masks some significant disparities. While the job's appeal scored 8.27 out of 10, remuneration scored a modest 5.37. Other frustrations include involvement in strategic issues, which could be greater (5.79), and internal career prospects (5.82). On the other hand, relationships with managers (7.66) and opportunities for skills development (7.4) are appealing. The higher up the hierarchy, the greater the responsibilities and the more satisfied QSE professionals are.

What respondents expect in the future is, above all, greater recognition and stronger involvement from their management on QSE issues. A movement is underway! "The QSE manager is becoming a key figure. Their tools, methodology, and 360-degree view are helping to place them higher and higher in the organizational hierarchy. They are a bridge between corporate governance and operations," comments Benoît Grossiord, lecturer and researcher at Bordeaux Sciences Agro. And to support them, they can count on what they consider to be the essential qualities of a QSE manager: adaptability, rigor, and communication.

What is Parcours Croisés?

Parcours Croisés, a social network for QSE professionals, conducted its survey with the help of the AFNOR group throughout October 2018, offering its 17,000 professional members the opportunity to complete a 10- to 15-minute questionnaire. 3,180 of them responded, with a total of 2,840 usable questionnaires, i.e., those that were completed in full. This ensured a reliable and representative sample of the profession. "Our goal was to gain a better understanding of the trajectories, careers, and developments of these professionals, with the ambition of tracking this measure over time by comparing it with other regular surveys. It was essential to gather testimonials from a wide variety of profiles in order to reflect the reality of the market: whether they were managers, directors, facilitators, technicians, assistants, engineers, responsible for all three QSE themes, one of them, or a combination of related themes," explains Karine Georges, head of research at the AFNOR Group. The 2018 survey can be compared with the 2010 survey in that it includes similar questions.

What is the main lesson you have learned from this study?

For me, the most striking thing is how the role of QSE manager is becoming increasingly strategic within companies. Just a few years ago, it was essentially a technical position that oversaw everything that management considered to be "quality assurance." The situation has changed. Today, the QSE manager has become a key figure. Their tools, methodology, and 360-degree perspective are helping to raise their profile within the organization. They act as a bridge between corporate governance and operations.

How did this change come about?

Companies are facing increasingly stringent and varied requirements, both regulatory and non-regulatory, particularly in terms of CSR. I see this in the food industry. Previously, it was enough to offer consumers a healthy and tasty product. Now, many other factors come into play: respect for the environment, the nature of animal husbandry, consideration for biodiversity, etc. To meet these new demands, only the QSE manager has the right tools and methods that can be adapted to the company's context. They naturally become the central point of contact, coordinating the various departments and promoting communication. Their global vision encourages stakeholders to turn to them.

How will this continue in the coming years?

For me, this movement is only just beginning. In business, risk awareness and a commitment to continuous improvement have become essential. The QSE manager is set to become a pillar of the organization's strategy. Today, who better than the QSE manager has such a good understanding of a company's ecosystem, with its risks and opportunities? Long seen as a hindrance, the QSE manager will become a source of concrete and appropriate solutions, motivating and raising awareness throughout the organization. This movement is already evident in the agricultural and food sectors, where societal issues are very much in the spotlight. I am deeply optimistic about the future of the QSE manager, who is indispensable in both multinationals and SMEs. Their mastery of performance and continuous improvement tools, combined with interpersonal skills and great human qualities, will make them an essential leader.