Quality Manager

Pay Rate: $101,000 - $134,800. Multiple factors, including individual experience, skills, and abilities will determine placement within the pay range.

Schedule: Salaried, Full-Time

About The Role

New Bern Mill is a vital part of Global Cellulose Fibers Pulp Business, producing fluff pulp used in diapers and other absorbent personal care products. The Quality Manager ensures deliverables comply with required standards, oversees performance metrics, and coordinates corrective actions with program and operations management. This role serves as the management representative for New Bern Mill ISO 9001 certification and reports to the Product Performance Manager.

• Train personnel on tools, fixtures, record management, and inspection/test protocols.
• Perform inspection activities to supplement facility staffing; review inspection results from operations and quality personnel.
• Lead the Quality Support Team to maximize engagement and results.
• Assist operations in root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for non-conformances, including external customer complaints.
• Ensure non-conforming product is properly identified, segregated, reviewed, and disposed of per product grade requirements.
• Maintain or support calibration records for precision test equipment and tools.
• Ensure quality-related procedures and processes are sustained.
• Coordinate internal and external test lab requirements.
• Evaluate incoming customer complaints on damaged product; complete external disposition reports and manage quarantine areas.
• Understand and support internal and external customer requirements via Product Grade Specifications.
• Collaborate with GCF corporate support (Innovation Center, Global Quality Resources, Subject Matter Experts) on system-wide quality improvement programs.
• Coordinate Quality Training (High Risk & Product Safety) for team members, new hires, and contractors.
• Support Quality Action reporting metrics, including internal defect tracking, scorecards, KPIs, pest control data, and supplier performance.
• Assist Operations and Maintenance in root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for non-conformances.
• Participate in design reviews, customer product trials, and equipment installation qualification.
• Serve as site coordinator for Quality Observations, Quality Learning Events, and Pest Control programs.
• Travel up to 25% of the time and provide support outside normal business hours, including nights and weekends, to meet 24/7 customer needs.
• Serve as Management Representative for ISO 9001 certification; own the Quality Manual and coordinate internal/external audits.
• Work with Business Unit Managers, Area Process Managers, Maintenance, and Engineering to sustain audit processes.
• Lead and facilitate quality activities, including weekly meetings, quarterly crew meetings, EMS/QMS, and management reviews.

Requirements

• BS degree in engineering, applied science, or a similar field.
• Five (5)+ years of Quality Assurance experience or 7-10 years in paper mill production/process engineering.
• Experience in the pulp and paper industry preferred but not required.
• Excellent leadership skills; managerial or supervisory experience a plus.
• Proven commitment to safety and safety processes.
• ISO working knowledge with internal audit leadership experience.
• Quality Engineering background with experience in Root Cause Analysis, Corrective/Preventive Action, structured problem-solving, and risk mitigation.
• Exceptional written, oral communication, and meeting facilitation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic statistical quality control (SQC).
• Strong project management skills with high attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Omega and site coordination for Proficy and other critical quality management software.
• Experience in quality assurance and management systems for product manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience as primary communication interface with contractors, manufacturing leaders, suppliers, and customers.
• Experience implementing and maintaining safety initiatives and change management.
• Experience working in High Performance Work Systems.
• Leadership in a quality-focused environment and knowledge of papermill safety practices.

Skills

• Action Oriented
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Business Acumen
• Managerial Courage
• Command Skills
• Motivating Others
• Conflict Management
• Negotiating
• Customer Focus
• Presentation Skills
• Developing Direct Reports and Others
• Problem Solving
• Drive for Results
• Process Management
• Integrity and Trust
• Strategic Agility

About Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF)

GCF helps customers transform renewable cellulose fibers into essential everyday products. Our safe, high-quality pulp is used in applications like towel and tissue products, diapers, feminine care, incontinence products, construction materials, paints, and coatings. GCF generated $2.8B in revenue in 2024 and has 3,300 employees globally, with nine manufacturing facilities and eight regional offices.

Benefits

Global Cellulose Fibers offers a comprehensive benefits package to support employees and their families, including:

• Medical, dental, and life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• 401(k) and company-funded retirement contributions.
• Paid Time Off.

Physical Location: New Bern Mill, 1785 Weyerhaeuser Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586.