Quality & Safety Manager

About the Role

This position leads Continuous Improvement and Safety initiatives at the plant, ensuring safe production of high-quality products in a cost-effective manner. The role ensures compliance with the Company Mission Statement, Safety & Quality Policy, and all customer guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Directs the Quality Management System at the plant.
• Drives Continuous Improvement to enhance costs, quality, and service.
• Oversees plant accountabilities, including tracking vendor performance, resolving customer complaints, investigating critical quality defects, and analyzing quality data.
• Ensures prompt handling of customer feedback, using root cause analysis and corrective actions for complaints.
• Prioritizes safety in training, job design, and regulatory compliance.
• Establishes systems for “right first time” performance and integrates this philosophy into continuous improvement teams.
• Commits to plant safety and procedures, performing strategic thinking and participating in plant and company processes.
• Builds and retains a “customer-focused” environment for internal and external customers.
• Adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Manages, drives, and oversees continuous improvement programs.
• Communicates quality and safety operations needs to the Production Manager, Plant Manager, and local management team.
• Develops and analyzes new methods to reduce costs, improve products, and ensure a safe working environment.
• Investigates incidents and monitors medical care.
• Leads safety inspections, meetings, and training programs.
• Creates and conducts new-hire safety orientation programs.
• Monitors light-duty programs, including job development and communication with physicians.
• Completes and maintains paperwork for work-related incidents.
• Assists the Divisional Safety Manager with workers' compensation filings and obtaining insurance quotes.
• Assists in purchasing safety equipment and systems.
• Maintains membership in safety or environmental associations to stay informed of trends.
• Prepares legal notices, postings, and reports for government and regulatory bodies.
• Complies with company policies and procedures.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by management.

Skills and Attributes

• Leadership and Management: Systemic problem solver; implements solutions to address root causes.
• Inspires team spirit and organizational loyalty.
• Handles multiple, complex priorities while balancing business needs.
• Coaching, Motivating, and Mentoring: Sets expectations, tracks results, and fosters accountability.
• Uses individual and team development tools effectively.
• Encourages learning and allows room for mistakes.
• Communication: Strong written, oral, and listening skills.
• Translates operational issues into corrective action procedures.
• Continuous Improvement: Creative, change-oriented, and process-driven.
• High energy, assertive, self-starter with a strong ability to learn.

Requirements

• College degree in manufacturing, engineering, logistics, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in a variety of manufacturing areas (e.g., production, logistics).
• Experience in quality system management or manufacturing/corrugated leadership preferred.
• Competency with MS Office and statistical software.
• Previous ISO certification preferred.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to walk, talk, and hear.
• Frequently required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Vision requirements: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and fumes or airborne particles.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually loud.