A Day in the Life of a Quality Manager at SmartShield

By Harsh Patel, Quality Manager

Hello! I’m Harsh Patel, Quality Manager at SmartShield Industrial Packaging in Canada. My role is to ensure our organization is consistently compliant with ISO 9001:2015 quality management standards, setting out how organisations ensure consistent, compliant and continually improving products and services.

Quality is the connective tissue between design, production, and delivery. I ensure every packaging solution meets design specifications, regulatory standards, and protects the product. From prototype to final shipment, QA is embedded in every phase.

Knowing that our packaging safeguards life-saving devices, mission-critical aerospace parts, or sensitive electronics, is incredibly fulfilling. When a customer says, “Your packaging saved us from a major loss,” that’s the win.

Inside a Quality Manager’s Day

My day starts with reviewing scheduled tasks, emails, and customer feedback.

Mornings are usually reserved for ISO 9001:2015 compliance tasks: updating documentation, reviewing compliance metrics, and planning audits.

Afternoons are more hands-on: meetings with cross-functional teams and sometimes joining customer calls to discuss industrial packaging specifications or improvements.

Balancing Innovation and Compliance in Industrial Packaging

Balancing innovation with compliance. Clients want cutting-edge solutions, but we have to make sure every material and design passes the required specifications.

Quality means reliability under pressure. It’s packaging that performs exactly as intended, protecting contents and complying with regulations for critical industries.

In our main sectors - medical, defense, aerospace, and electronics packaging - failure isn’t an option.

QA ensures trust, safety, and compliance.

Partnering with Clients to Meet Industry Standards

During the design review stage, we start with a deep dive into our clients’ regulatory landscape, then co-develop custom industrial packaging specifications. We run first off, share test data, and iterate until every product is checked to meet the customer-specified dimensions.

With sustainability rising, our clients want recyclable, biodegradable packaging materials that still meet strict standards.

Choosing the Right Packaging Partner: Harsh’s Expert Tips

Look for a partner who understands your industry’s regulations inside out and treats packaging as part of your product, not just a box.

At SmartShield, we’re committed to providing businesses across North America with ISO 9001:2015-compliant packaging solutions, including customized packaging to agreed-upon standards and requirements.

Our in process and final inspection tests validate and document every step. As a result, our customers know their products are protected, compliant, and ready for global distribution - without any unwanted surprises.

Life Beyond Quality Management: Harsh Behind the Scenes!

I’m not sure how the team would describe me in just three words, but I try to bring a positive attitude and a collaborative spirit to everything I do. I love the culture at SmartShield. Everyone’s friendly and committed to excellence. When I’m not working, you’ll find me embracing adventure, hitting the gym, or spending quality time with friends.

The SmartShield Team on Harsh

We’re proud to have Harsh leading our quality efforts. His dedication to industrial packaging compliance and innovation helps us deliver packaging that truly protects what matters most for our clients. Reading his ‘A Day in the Life’ reminds us just how much expertise, care and energy go into every solution we create together.

Need ISO-compliant packaging solutions in Canada? Let SmartShield support your next project.