Quality Manager

Quality Manager - Joplin, MO

The Opportunity:

This Quality Manager role is responsible for fostering a culture of quality excellence by driving compliance, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement initiatives that reduce quality costs and align with industry best practices. The position ensures the consistent delivery of high-quality products that meet or exceed customer expectations while protecting the integrity of the business through adherence to internal and external quality standards. Working closely with production and cross-functional support teams, the Quality Manager maintains and enhances quality systems, promotes operational best practices, and ensures compliance with customer, regulatory, and accredited certification requirements. The role also leads improvement projects that support both quality and financial performance, addressing evolving customer needs, legislative changes, and updates to accredited standards. Additionally, the Quality Manager is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and implementing revisions to quality systems, standard operating procedures, and policies to ensure ongoing compliance, audit readiness, and fulfillment of customer and third-party requirements.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Support the Regional Quality Manager and site Leadership team in quality governance.

• Lead and support meetings as required and provide information and analysis as required to support the business in understanding KPI\u2019s and decision making.

• Review the quality system as appropriate to ensure full compliance with Customer and company best practice guidelines and maximize effectiveness of production contributing to consistent operational performance and standards whilst ensuring conformance to the relevant accreditation standards for the site and Customers.

• Provide authoritative guidance and advice on all aspects of quality to the site management team and employees; train and coach employees improving knowledge and skills in quality improvement.

• Recruit, develop, motivate, and manage a Quality team (QA/QC) that optimises quality operations and is flexible in the support it offers the business, meeting current and future needs.

• Establish and develop professional working relationships with Customers, providing a technical service and reference point as required to support the company\u2019s products and reputation as a quality supplier.

Manage the Customer complaint process, lead investigations into quality issues and non-conformances, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to prevent recurrence and maintain quality standards.* The facilitation of Customer facing activities and communications including Customer visits, responses, and preparation of information whilst leading site audit activities (external body, internal and Customer).

Lead quality initiatives and focus groups to enhance employee knowledge, understanding, and awareness of quality standards while fostering a culture of right-first-time performance, continuous improvement, and total quality throughout the organization.* Develop an Integrated Quality Management System including quality, food safety, environment, health, and safety.

Lead and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality systems, optimize processes, improve quality and safety performance, and ensure compliance with customer specifications, site objectives, and corporate requirements while maximizing operational efficiency.* Review amendments to standards and ensure compliance with accreditation bodies.

• Support introduction of new equipment on site and validation processes to meet safety and Customer expectations.

• Contribute ideas and participate in ongoing business improvement initiatives to reduce overall operating costs, improve margin, and provide input into the strategy and operations of the site.

• Produce data and present reports for site, Customers and corporate as required.

• Support senior leadership team in introducing systems and procedures to enhance operating effectiveness and efficiencies.

• Deliver GMP, Quality, Food Safety, and FSC training to all employees as required.

• People Management:

• Leadership & Vision - Ability to inspire a team with a clear vision and purpose.

• Coaching & Developing people - The ability to teach operational skills to others and mentor/coach accordingly.

• Managing performance - Ability to monitor and evaluate performance and take appropriate action.

• Personal Competencies:

• Communication - Ability to convey ideas and decisions to internal and external Customers.

• Determination - Ability to overcome obstacles.

• Influence/Persuasiveness - Ability to influence and inspire others to act.

• Managing the Business:

• Organisation - The ability to judge situations accurately and make sound operational decisions to deliver results on time.

• Continuous Improvement - The ability to continually monitor and review current working practices and make the best use of resources to improve organisational results

What you need to succeed:

• Education Requirement(s): Minimum 5 years\u2019 experience in a Quality role at a senior or management level

• Qualification / Requirement:

• Working and audit knowledge relevant accredited standards.

• Experience in a manufacturing/production environment ideally with experience and knowledge of Industry standards and guidelines.

• Demonstrable experience of leading change and implementing continuous improvement processes.

• Demonstrable experience of validating new equipment and processes.

• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

• Project management and problem-solving skills such as 6 Sigma, or another recognised Business Improvement Technique.

• Root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques.

• Customer relations skills

• Skilled in information handling, analysis, and presentation

• Competent in using Microsoft Office packages.

What We Offer:

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence

• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities

• Competitive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential

• A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are foundational to how we operate

• Competitive total rewards package including medical, dental, and vision coverage options starting on your first day

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions and flexible spending account (FSA) options

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and automatic contributions to support your long-term financial goals

• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage for financial protection

• Mental health support and wellness programs designed to promote overall well-being

• Generous paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and paid parental leave

• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing learning and development opportunities

• Additional voluntary benefits such as legal services, identity protection, pet insurance, and more

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.