Quality Assurance Manager

Position Summary:

Associates in the Quality Assurance Manager position are responsible for Auditing and Reporting on the Production Quality Control Process to assure to PPT Management and its Customers that quality flexible packaging materials are produced on time in accordance with specific work instructions and applicable safety and quality assurance procedures. Also responsible for quality personnel, Quality Management System, Food Safety certifications, ISO certification and Customer audits when required. Assist in operator training certification and quality testing procedures. Drive improvements in quality testing procedures to reduce the frequency of plant accountable customer complaints as well as internal rejections in order to reduce waste. Foster an environment that is prioritized in the order of Safety, Quality and Production. In the event of absence, these job responsibilities will be covered by employees in the Plant Manager position.

Responsibilities and Duties:

This job description and performance standard document has been prepared as a guide to ensure better communication and understanding. All responsibilities, however, have not been included, nor could they be. Your Supervisor/Manager may from time to time ask you to perform other related duties not specifically included in this description. Likewise, this description will be revised when required to meet current business needs.

• Per the PPT Quality Manual, promotes and assists with management of the Quality Management System within PPT including compliance, training, corrective actions, and process improvements. Responsible for ensuring that the Quality Management System is being followed, as well as compliance with ISO and SQF requirements. Assist Shift Supervisors with compliance, training, and process improvements.
• Lead all aspects of the Quality Assurance department to achieve food safety and quality objectives.
• Manages key metrics to evaluate the performance of the Quality Department such as Cost of Quality (COQ), plant accountable complaints, internal rejections, quality testing turnaround time, etc.
• Assists in the development of personnel, operator training certification and quality testing procedures.
• Promotes, devises, establishes and/or improves where needed, the companys quality procedures, standards and specifications.
• Manages the Corrective Action Response (CAR) process, determines root causes for quality issues, as well as trending CAR data to initiate process improvements. Provides both direct feedback to associates involved in a quality issue and facilitates broad communication of the CAR to prevent future repeats and losses to the company.
• Communicates yearly strategic goals to the Quality Team for improved quality assurance to reduce plant accountable customer complaints and internal rejections.
• Proposes new capital expenditures as they relate to improved Quality Control / Process Control capabilities.
• Act as a backup for direct reports, when required, for critical activities required to serve the customers of PPT.
• Responsible for making sure that Production Associates are Quality Certified.
• Assists as needed with Customer Quality Audits.
• Assists the Quality Assurance Technician to maintain retained sample inventory, test films as needed (incoming inspection, retained solvents on GC, dyne levels, etc.), and perform QA Technician duties when needed as a backup.
• Promotes use of and develops methods for using GC, and other QA testing equipment. Provides suggestions for new capital expenditures as they relate to Quality Control / Process Control capabilities. Participates in special projects as needed.
• Ensures regular attendance to prevent excessive delays in completing the above tasks.
• Ensures that all responsibilities and functions performed are in accordance with company procedures and meet quality standards in place. Participate in quality programs and be aware of changes and standards within the systems.
• Other duties may be assigned and are required as part of the essential functions of the position.
• Generates improvement ideas and embraces improvement projects to better the business.
• Be Safe! Encourage all employees to engage in safe working behaviors

Skills and Qualifications:

• Able to follow directions, work with little or no supervision, possess good math skills, able to read a tape measure and micrometer accurately, and relate well to people at all levels in the organization and with suppliers and customers.
• College degree in a related field preferred. Computer literate with good organizational skills.
• Detail-orientation required for auditing completion of required paperwork and information systems inputs with a high degree of accuracy.
• Able to read and understand job tickets, and accept verbal direction to successfully complete procedures and assigned tasks.
• Basic knowledge of our product and processes. Previous experience in quality assurance of printed webs and/or bag making is highly preferred.
• Good verbal and written communication skills required, and proven experience with effective teams and continuous improvement methods strongly preferred.

Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:

• Able to lift 30 to 40 pounds.
• Must travel as required; overnight travel may be required.
• Able to stand on feet for most of the shift, work with the processes on the plant floor, and work flexible hours as needed to administer the Quality programs across all shifts.
• Able to tell differences in printed colors and compare to color standards for quality control audits.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Willingness to be trained in the proper handling and disposal of Hazardous waste.