Continuous Improvement Associate Manager

Continuous Improvement Associate Manager

Direct the Quality and Continuous Improvement Process for the GPI facility. This involves the development, implementation and preservation of the validity of the Quality System, the proper allocation of available capital to equipment and processes which move the business forward and the identification of personnel training requirements relative to new equipment and processes. The major objective is to improve the people and processes to remove cost from the system and to improve our product quality so that we are more competitive in the marketplace and our business grows.

Job functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Meet and maintain all divisional Quality Process Management objectives as established by GPI.
• Direct the activities, duties, and projects of the GPI employees to assure compliance to customer specifications.
• Serve as the plant's contact for customer complaints and customer compliance audits.
• Maintain reporting systems for internal and external complaints in accordance with GPI requirements.
• Direct the development of SPC in both production and QC areas necessary to maintain a level of process control that meets or exceeds customer expectations.
• Execute and manage CI initiatives including Six Sigma, Process Improvement, and Lean projects.
• Track and report all financial validated savings through the GPI Project Tracking Database.
• Communicate plant quality expectations and monitor performance relative to the objectives in a timely and effective manner.
• Actively solicit input from all employees to aid in successfully accomplishing the above listed actions.
• Shared responsibility for compliance with all facility product safety (GMP's)/Sanitation policies and procedures.
• Must continually work to promote the orderliness and cleanliness of their work area in support of companywide product stewardship standards.
• Be trained and certified in SQF and HACCP for Lead Practitioner within the plant.
• Be knowledgeable concerning SQF prerequisites to include SQF, HACCP, GMP, Food Defense, etc.
• Is responsible for the development, implementation, review, maintenance, and communications of the most recent version of SQF CODE.
• Leads and coordinates the annual plant review of the SQF system, internal audits, and scheduling the annual third-party audit.
• Is responsible for contacting the third-party certification body with a list of dates and justification of any blackout dates for the unannounced audit. (Submission must be 1 month prior to the sixty-day re-certification window).
• Is responsible for coordination of SQF related Root Cause/Corrective Action activities.
• Performs verifications and validation of SQF controls with a determined frequency/schedule.
• Establishes and maintains methods/criteria for monitoring, sampling, inspection, testing, and analyzing raw materials, in-process materials, and finished goods.
• Is responsible for reviewing and updating training skills requirements for all onsite personnel.
• This position has full responsibility for the development and maintenance of documents and records, for both QA tracking and employee development.
• Shares an obligation to protect and strengthen Graphic Packaging International's good reputation in our relationships with customers, employees, suppliers, competitors, investors, and governmental agencies, and to act consistently with our core values: Integrity, Respect, Accountability, Relationships, and Teamwork.

Other duties as assigned

Background / Experience:

• Manufacturing experience preferred
• Must be a certified Six Sigma Black Belt or attain certification as part of selection for this position.
• Participates in Six Sigma projects as necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, plan, track, execute and document multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, develop, implement and document systems for maintenance and control of products and processes.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office or similar word processing, MINITAB, SHAREPOINT, spreadsheet and communications software.
• The incumbent will be exposed to the shop floor environment on a daily basis.
• The incumbent must demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
• The incumbent must exhibit ability and a desire to make reasoned decisions on actions to be taken, based upon his/her knowledge and experience, with less than complete information on the current situation.
• The incumbent must take a strong position on well reasoned convictions, be uncompromising in the quest for quality of output whether it is a product, a service or an activity and above all act at all times in accordance with high principles, ethics and a sense of purpose.
• The incumbent must be action oriented and rise to meet challenges quickly, sometimes with a minimum of planning.
• Leadership skills – ability to motivate people to perform at high levels

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have excellent attendance, be able to work independently and 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 / Knowledge:

• Minimum 2 year degree with 5 years of work experience in progressively more responsible positions

Skills:

• Language skills Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.
• Mathematical skills Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Reasoning ability Ability 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.
• Leadership skills Action Oriented / Drive for Results Dealing with Ambiguity Customer Focus Functional / Technical Skills Perseverance Planning and Priority Setting Problem Solving Composure Decision Quality Integrity and Trust Conflict Management Timely Decision Making Total Work Systems Approachability Managerial Courage Intellectual Horsepower Written Communication Ethics and Values Interpersonal Savvy Process Management Drive for Results
• Computer/office equipment skills SAP, MS Office and database programs Requires use of all general office equipment (e.g. fax, copier, telephone, etc.)

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Company issued Fork Truck Operator's License
• Company issued Clamp Truck Operator's License

Essential Job Functions:

• Schedule demands: General schedule is an 8-hour M-F assignment, however, employee must be willing to work alternate schedules occasionally; that may include early mornings, nights, and/or weekends and be punctual while doing so.
• Occasional overnight travel to include flying, driving, riding or by rail.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work upwards of 5 days a week for upwards of 40+ hours per week
• Ability to stand, walk and sit
• Ability to twist neck and back and fingering frequently (34-66% of the time)
• Ability to balance, stoop, bend, squat, climb, twist, handle, feel, reach above shoulder level, reach at or below shoulder level, reach above 18", reach to the floor, and kneel occasionally (1-33% of the time)
• Lifting up to 10 lbs occasionally
• Typing and computer skills are essential
• Ability to read, write, hear, see, speak and have agility
• Reading computer screen or other electronic devices
• Required to make independent decisions, apply reasoning and discern color
• 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 and Hair Net

Pay Range: $88,400.00 - $117,900.00 Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human