Quality Assurance Lead (1st shift)

Job Summary

Achieve quality standards as defined by plant management or customer specifications. Interpret and implement organization/customer requirements related to product specifications.

Job Functions

• Perform and monitor quality checks across all departments to ensure defects do not occur.
• Train operators on identifying and preventing product defects.
• Train operators on quality checks and testing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Achieve SQF and HACCP certifications and train new hires on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), performing annual SQF training with all employees.
• Work with operators to troubleshoot defects and determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Conduct daily testing for customer products as required.
• Determine and manage substandard product and raw materials (paperboard), deciding what can be sold, sorted/reworked, or scrapped.
• Enter Internal and Vendor (Raw Material) Complaints into non-SAP SharePoint.
• Manage quality incident investigation processes to identify root causes and recommend preventive measures.
• Oversee all sorting activities, establishing standards, mentoring temporary employees, managing SAP entries, and maintaining housekeeping.
• Perform customer and internal sampling requirements.
• Participate in internal and external customer visits.
• Manage color standards and first-run color materials processes, working directly with operators to achieve high-quality color materials.
• Manage the quality lab, conducting testing, calibrations, troubleshooting, and training.
• Develop and maintain documents and SOPs, including Certificate of Analysis (COA), End of Month (EOM) reporting, and Color Management.
• Gather data as needed for projects or troubleshooting.
• Give the OK to sell when supervisor is unavailable.
• Participate in safety and quality behavior-based observations.
• May assist in supervising a team of quality inspectors.
• Must adhere to Graphic Packaging International’s commitment to SQF (Safe Quality Foods) and HACCP requirements, food safety, and food defense.
• Shares an obligation to protect and strengthen Graphic Packaging International’s good reputation in its relationships with customers, employees, suppliers, competitors, investors, and governmental agencies, acting consistently with the company’s core values: Integrity, Respect, Accountability, Relationships, and Teamwork.

Background / Experience

• Manufacturing experience preferred.
• Excellent attendance and ability to work independently required.

Skills

• Languages: Read and interpret documents, write routine reports and correspondence, speak effectively before groups.
• Mathematics: Add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, use whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals, compute rates, ratios, and percentages, draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Reasoning: Solve practical problems, deal with a variety of concrete variables, interpret written and oral instructions.
• Computer Skills: Proficient with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), previous ERP experience preferred.
• Mechanical Skills: Ability to use industry standard testing equipment, measuring devices, and scales required.

Education / Knowledge

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent required.
• 3-5 years’ experience, preferably in manufacturing.

Schedule Requirements

• Schedules are 8-hour shifts (Monday through Friday).
• Employees are required to work overtime, including up to 12-hour shifts, including weekends.
• Employees must have the ability to work alternate schedules and overtime, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Employees must be available to travel to customer facilities for inspection or sorting activities. Expected travel is less than 25%.

Physical Requirements

• Standing, depending on changing job assignments, for extended periods.
• Awkward and/or repetitive movements.
• Ability to stand, bend, and walk frequently (34-66% of the time).
• Ability to squat, climb, reach above shoulder up to 26”, reach at waist or lower, push up to force of 15 lbs., pull, carry, kneel, grasp, sit, finger occasionally (1-33% of the time).
• Lifting up to 45 lbs. occasionally (1-10% of the time).
• Requires use of both feet.
• Requires use of both hands for simple grasping, firm grasping, fine manipulation, and repetitive actions on a continuous basis.
• Right- and left-hand coordination is necessary.
• Ability to read, write, hear, see, speak, and have agility on a continuous basis.
• Reading computer screens or other electronic devices.
• Use of various hand and electrical tools and equipment.
• Work in areas of fluctuating temperature and loud noises.
• PPE required: Steel-toed/safety footwear, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Cut-resistant Safety Gloves, Hair Net, Beard Net.

Safe Quality Food Responsibilities

• Follow all Plant rules, Processes, Hygiene, and Allergens procedures, related to production of Safe Quality Foods.
• Report to a person of authority to record any potentially unsafe conditions which may result in unsafe foods or noncompliance to SQF related procedures.
• Participate in SQF Root Cause and Corrective Actions (from customer complaints, SQF audits, validation, and verification activities) as required.
• Follow all procedures related to producing Safe Quality Foods (SQF).
• Report any potentially unsafe SQF conditions or customer complaints to a person of authority to record and/or correct the situation.

Benefit Program

• Competitive Pay
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Health & Welfare Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Variety of Voluntary benefits
• Adoption Assistance Program
• Employee Discount Programs
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off + 11 paid company holidays each year