Sr. Quality and CI Manager

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nAll jobs at Southern Champion Tray (SCT) require Team members to act in accordance with the shared Core Values & Operating principles of the company as they perform specific job functions. These include:Trustworthy – We strive for our actions to match our words in all our relationships.Servant – Hearted – We enable and empower our team to serve the needs of customers, Team members, suppliers and the community.Relational – We aim to build healthy relationships while fostering and environment that promotes compassion, balance, and personal and professional growth.Resourceful – We value strategic insourcing, first looking to create solutions internally, and then looking to apply that knowledge to future opportunities. SUMMARY This role has significant organizational impact and is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving the Division Quality Management System (QMS), Quality Assurance, Food Safety, and Continuous Improvement strategy across two manufacturing locations and a distribution center. This role serves as the quality leader for the division, providing direct leadership to one site Quality team while providing functional (dotted-line) leadership, coaching, and standardization to Quality teams at two additional manufacturing sites. This position is responsible for building a best-in-class quality organization by establishing standardized quality systems, selecting and implementing an enterprise Quality Management System (eQMS) software platform, developing common quality metrics, and creating consistent processes that improve customer satisfaction, operational performance, and regulatory compliance across all facilities. The Divisional Quality Manager influences and drives a quality-focused culture that is enthusiastically engaged in customer satisfaction, operational excellence, audit readiness, and continuous improvement while maintaining best-in-class ratings for food safety and industry-specific certifications. As the divisional quality leader, this position develops strategic initiatives, quality standards, and best practices while upholding SCT's Mission, Vision, and Values. Actively collaborates with executive leadership, plant leadership, sales, operations, engineering, and key stakeholders to influence change, increase organizational capability, and align resources toward common quality objectives. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES QualityOwns development, implementation, governance, and continuous improvement of the Division Quality Management System across all manufacturing and warehouse locationsBuilds standardized quality operating system that establishes common processes, procedures, metrics, documentation, and expectations across all facilitiesLeads evaluation, selection, implementation, and long-term administration of an enterprise Quality Management System (eQMS) software platformDevelops multi-year Quality Roadmap that advances the division from reactive quality management to a robust preventive quality systemProvides direct leadership to the Compress Quality team while providing functional (dotted-line) leadership, coaching, and standardization to Centre South and the Amnicola DC.Develops quality leaders throughout the division through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and standardized leadership expectationsDevelops and deploys standardized internal specifications to meet or exceed customer requirements across all facilitiesEstablishes divisional quality standards, defect classifications, inspection methodologies, and acceptance criteriaDevelops and maintains standardized procedures for document control, calibration, change management, corrective actions, preventive actions, and internal auditingConducts investigations into significant non-conformities and leads cross-functional Root Cause Analysis to eliminate recurrenceReviews and analyzes quality performance trends to identify systemic opportunities and drive corrective and preventive actions throughout the divisionLeads divisional Customer Complaint and Corrective Action processes while ensuring rapid communication and resolution with customersTracks, analyzes, and reports divisional quality Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including customer complaints, internal defects, cost of poor quality, first-pass yield, audit performance, and corrective action effectivenessPartners with Plant Managers, Operations Leaders, Engineering, Sales, and Customer Service to improve quality performance and customer satisfactionActs as primary liaison between manufacturing operations and commercial teams regarding quality performance, customer concerns, and continuous improvement initiativesDevelops and implements standardized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, inspection plans, and quality documentation across all facilitiesPlans and organizes division-wide quality training programs that promote a customer-focused culture and develop internal quality championsFacilitates supplier, subcontractor, certification body, and customer audits across all manufacturing locationsServes as divisional subject matter expert for quality systems, regulatory requirements, and customer quality expectationsCollaborates closely with Corporate Shared Services and executive leadership to align quality initiatives and leverage organizational resourcesMaintains standardized internal audit systems and ensures audit findings are effectively addressed throughout the divisionActs as owner of the divisional document control system and quality recordsDevelops standardized quality dashboards and communicates performance to executive leadership Food Safety ComplianceProvides divisional leadership for compliance with Local, State, and Federal regulations related to Food Safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP, BRCGS certification, and other applicable regulatory requirementsEnsures consistent implementation of food safety programs across all manufacturing facilitiesEstablishes proactive systems that maintain clean, organized, and hygienic manufacturing environments that consistently produce safe, high-quality packagingDevelops and delivers standardized food safety training programs utilizing multiple learning methodologies while measuring effectiveness throughout the divisionMaintains robust divisional internal audit programs and ensures compliance with all quality and food safety certification requirementsLeads certification audits and develops action plans that sustain best-in-class certification resultsMonitors changes in regulatory requirements and industry best practices while ensuring timely implementation throughout the divisionPartners with plant leadership and corporate resources to strengthen food safety culture and accountability at every level of the organization Continuous ImprovementFunctions as divisional expert in Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, and Quality Improvement methodologies while serving as a change agent throughout the organizationLeads strategic Continuous Improvement initiatives focused on reducing variation, eliminating waste, improving process capability, and lowering Cost of Poor QualityUtilizes project management principles and Lean methodologies to lead cross-functional projects across all manufacturing locationsDevelops and deploys standardized problem-solving methodologies including A3, PDCA, DMAIC, and Root Cause AnalysisCoaches plant leadership and quality teams in statistical process control, mistake-proofing, process capability, and continuous improvement techniquesWorks directly with operations teams to identify, prioritize, and execute continuous improvement opportunitiesDevelops systems to measure, communicate, and sustain operational improvements including productivity gains, quality improvements, customer satisfaction, and cost savingsLeads divisional 5S and Visual Management initiatives to improve workplace organization, process stability, and operational excellenceEstablishes governance processes that ensure improvements are standardized, documented, and sustained across all manufacturing locations AUTHORITY Must have the ability to lead people to execute the demands of production departments efficiently and to respond to oral instructions from his/her supervisor and other written instructions. DEVELOPMENT INDICATORSDemonstrates readiness to lead quality and continuous improvement strategy across multiple manufacturing locations with increasing scope, complexity, and accountabilityBuilds and sustains a standardized divisional Quality Management System, with evidence of consistent processes, clear governance, improved audit readiness, and effective corrective and preventive actionsSuccessfully leads selection, implementation, adoption, and long-term administration of an enterprise Quality Management System software platformDevelops and executes a multi-year Quality Roadmap that shifts the division from reactive issue resolution toward preventive, risk-based quality managementUses divisional quality metrics and trend analysis to improve customer complaints, internal defects, cost of poor quality, first-pass yield, audit performance, and corrective action effectivenessLeads Lean Six Sigma and cross-functional improvement initiatives that deliver documented, sustained gains in quality, process capability, productivity, customer satisfaction, and cost savingsMaintains strong food safety and regulatory performance across all facilities, including timely closure of audit findings and sustained best-in-class certification resultsDevelops quality leaders and internal champions through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, standardized expectations, and documented growth in team capabilityInfluences plant, operations, engineering, sales, customer service, and executive leaders to align resources, adopt common standards, and resolve systemic quality risksCommunicates divisional quality performance, risks, priorities, and recommendations through clear dashboards, executive updates, and timely escalation of significant issuesCreates a visible culture of accountability, prevention, customer focus, and continuous improvement, demonstrated by sustained adherence to standards and active engagement at all organizational levels QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCEBachelor’s degree in Manufacturing / Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field preferredMinimum five (5) years of directly-related experience in a manufacturing, production or operations role; folding carton/paperboard packaging experience is strongly preferredDemonstrated working knowledge and direct experience with GMP, food safety and quality certifications (BRC, SQF, AIB, etc.)Six Sigma and/or other professional Lean Manufacturing training and/or certifications required; Black Belt certification a plus[DF1] OTHER REQUIREMENTS Eighteen (18) years of age or olderSuccessful completion of pre-employment drug screen, physical and background checkDependabilityValid driver's licenseAbility to safely operate a motor vehicleWillingness to travel as needed by air and land up to 10-20% SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIREDGood interpersonal and communication (both verbal and written) skillsHighly relational with ability to engage and influence others towards change within 24-hour production facilityExcellent presentation and training skills Ability to work satisfactorily as a Team Member and communicate with all levels within the companyExcellent organizational skillsDetail orientedAdept at problem solving and finding creative solutionsAbility to exercise discretion and independent judgment on a customary and regular basis Ability to set, adjust and change daily prioritiesAbility to handle sudden changes in project/priority and multiple tasks simultaneously in a positive fashionAbility to manage conflict and resolve issues in the most positive fashion for all parties concerned LANGUAGE SKILLSAbility to read and understand complex documents, letters, etc. and write legibly in English. Ability to understand and speak clearly, and communicate in English MATHEMATICAL SKILLSAbility to add, subtract, multiply, and divide both fractions and decimals, solve equations, read measurements Ability to use formulas to calculate and analyze data REASONING ABILITYAbility to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team member successfully performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, but the essential functions cannot be eliminated or performed by others. While performing the duties of this job, regularly required to remain in a stationary position a minimum of 25% of the time, move and regularly operate a computer and other office equipment and properly employ objects, tools and/or controls. Frequently required to communicate and exchange accurate information. While performing the duties of this job, regularly required to walk, stand, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with arms and hands and occasionally attain non-standard physical positions for varying amounts of time. Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must regularly transport up to twenty-five (25) pounds and occasionally transport up to seventy-five (75) pounds. Lifting devices must be used or help must be requested for anything over twenty-five (25) pounds. Required to occasionally ascend/descend, balance and work at various heights. Ability to occasionally travel by land and/or air for extended periods of time. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and cannot be eliminated or performed by others. While performing the duties of this job, regularly exposed to a climate-controlled office environment and a shop manufacturing environment. Office environment exposures include frequent telephone and computer use. The noise level in the office is usually moderate consistent with an office environment. Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposur