Quality Manager

Position Summary

The Quality Manager builds, implements and continuously improves Northstar Recycling's internal Quality Management System (QMS) and owns the company's client-specific quality program — a subset of the QMS governing internal processes and outlets handling material for a major food and beverage client. This role partners across departments to document, standardize and improve how work is done, while serving as the primary quality point of contact for the client and outlets processing their material. Success requires exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and clear, professional communication with audiences ranging from outlet staff to external client quality teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Internal Quality Management System (QMS)
  • Design, build, implement and maintain Northstar's internal QMS, establishing the structure, tools, and governance needed to support it long-term.
  • Partner across departments to identify, capture, and document existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), converting informal or undocumented practices into standardized, approved procedures.
  • Establish and maintain version control and document control processes so SOPs, workflows, forms, and quality records stay current, approved, and easily retrievable.
  • Develop and maintain training records tied to SOPs, ensuring employees are trained in current procedures and that training completion is tracked and auditable.
  • Manage a new incident and corrective action process, including intake, root-cause investigation, corrective/preventive action (CAPA) tracking, and closure verification.
  • Lead or support investigations into quality incidents and non-conformances, ensuring root causes and corrective actions are effective and documented.
  • Continuously improve the QMS based on audit findings, incident trends, and operational feedback.
• Specific Quality Program (External-Facing)
  • Own and maintain the specific quality system as a clearly defined subset of the QMS, ensuring it meets client requirements and expectations.
  • Maintain internal and outlet SOPs for client material, keeping them current, version-controlled, and audit-ready.
  • Serve as the primary quality liaison, managing external interactions, communications, and inquiries with professionalism and responsiveness.
  • Develop and deliver quality training to outlets that handle client material, ensuring consistent understanding and execution of specific requirements.
  • Coordinate and support quality audits and reviews, ensuring documentation, training records, and corrective actions are organized and readily available.
  • Proactively identify and escalate quality risks related to client material handling, distinguishing critical issues from lower-priority items and driving timely resolution.
  • Maintain trackers and dashboards, identify trends and risks, and support business review readiness.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Quality, Business, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related) or equivalent professional experience.
• Prior experience in quality management, quality assurance, compliance, or a related field; experience building or maturing a QMS from the ground up is a strong plus.
• Experience with SOP development, document control, and training/compliance record-keeping systems.
• Experience managing incident investigation and corrective action (CAPA) processes.
• Experience working with or for a branded customer quality program (e.g., a major food/consumer brand) is a plus, given the external-facing nature of the program.
• Familiarity with the recycling, waste, or manufacturing industry is a plus but not required.
• Familiarity with eQMS, workflow automation and data tools also a plus.
• Travel throughout North America approximately 20% of the time.

Skills & Competencies

• Highly detail-oriented, with a rigorous, organized approach to documentation, version control, and record-keeping.
• Outstanding communicator across written, verbal, and presentation formats, comfortable engaging both internal teams and external partners such as outlet contacts.
• Sound judgment in identifying what matters most — able to prioritize effectively amid competing demands and escalate the right issues at the right time.
• Strong collaborator who builds trust and works effectively across departments and functions, from operations to compliance to leadership.
• High level of professionalism and discretion, particularly when representing Northstar externally to a key customer partner.
• Self-directed and comfortable building new processes and systems where none currently exist.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and openness to learning quality/document-management software tools.

Northstar Specific Performance Competencies

The Quality Manager role at Northstar requires alignment with our core Northstar Performance Competencies, including:

• Excellence: Achieving high standards of performance and creativity, managing tasks effectively, respecting data confidentiality, and demonstrating reliability in attendance and task completion.
• Collaboration: Actively fostering teamwork and a positive work environment, contributing to team efforts, and sharing expertise with colleagues.
• Stewardship & Ownership: Taking full responsibility for work, adhering to company standards, setting clear goals, and seeking solutions proactively.
• Empathy & Passion: Displaying genuine care for others, showing enthusiasm for Northstar's mission, and engaging in professional, meaningful work.
• Humility & Integrity: Demonstrating honesty, self-awareness, openness to feedback, and a commitment to exceeding client expectations through trust and transparency.
• Flexibility & Tenacity: Embracing adaptability, persisting through challenges, and continuously seeking growth opportunities.

Working Relationships

• Reports to: Director of Audit & Regulatory.
• Partners closely with: All internal departments (Operations, Commodity Sales, Client Services, Finance, OOEE, FTF)

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package with generous employer contribution to health, dental, and vision insurance premiums.
• 401(k)-retirement plan with 100% match of your first 4% of pay contribution, immediately vested.
• Company-sponsored short-term, long-term, and life coverage, plus supplemental and voluntary benefit programs.
• Competitive PTO package including vacation time, sick time, 7 observed federal holidays, 3 floating holidays, and additional time off each year for volunteer efforts.
• Fully remote working environment with virtual culture and teambuilding events.
• Coaching culture with professional development and promotion opportunities.

Schedule

• Full-time, exempt role.
• Business hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm EST.
• Remote position available.