Job Summary:

The Quality Manager is responsible for managing Quality Programs, Certifications, and Processes at the Owatonna and St. Paul manufacturing plants.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage Quality Programs to ensure all products, raw materials, processes, and services meet our high-quality standards.
• Manage Quality Technicians; train, develop, assign and direct work, provide feedback, and manage performance.
• Maintain compliance with all documented Quality Policies and Objectives; assist in obtaining and maintaining required Quality Certifications including SQF and ISO 9001.
• Design and implement quality training programs; provide ongoing quality inspection trainings to manufacturing team members to ensure best quality practices are being maintained.
• Formulates and maintains quality objectives complementary to corporate policies and goals.
• Develops and initiates standards and methods for inspection, testing, and evaluation.
• Performs quality engineering reviews of design documentation for compliance with stated requirements, including vendor quality manuals and company quality records.
• Applies statistical process control (SPC) methods for analyzing data to evaluate the current process and process changes.
• Develops new approaches to solve problems identified during quality activities.
• Report Quality metrics and trends routinely to the company
• Maintain and communicate all quality data to department managers for problem identification, resolution, and loss reporting.
• Keeps management team abreast of significant issues or developments identified during quality activities and actions being taken to improve the situation.
• Directs workers engaged in inspection and testing activities to ensure continuous control over materials, facilities, and products.
• Maintains a working knowledge of government and industry quality codes and standards.
• Investigates and adjusts customer complaints regarding quality.
• Design and develop quality documentation, i.e. procedures, work instructions, inspection, and sampling plans, as needed or requested
• Interprets statistical data relating to quality; recommends changes in standards, processes, equipment, and materials to facilitate work, maintain quality, and drives continuous process improvement.
• Maintain documentation and revision level of quality documentation for all products or services in conjunction with our ISO 9001 and SQF Certifications.
• Oversees internal and external audits related to ISO, SQF, and Customers.
• Perform internal and supplier qualification audits (i.e. preparation of audit plans, audit reports, and verifying corrective actions have been completed and are effective, etc.)
• Review non-conformities (NCRs) for determining root cause, creating corrective actions, providing customer follow up and close NCRs within an acceptable timeframe.
• Perform product testing and process inspections throughout the development and production process to ensure consistent quality.
• Perform problem-solving tests to develop corrective actions for quality issues and to initiate continuous improvement.
• Adhere to all company safety standards.
• Establish and maintain relationships with vendors to help facilitate the timely completion of projects.
• Coordinate returns to vendors and ensure corrective actions are in place to prevent future defects.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required in a Quality or Engineering related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ Quality experience in high volume manufacturing - preferably in pressure sensitive label stock industry.
• Experience with SQF and/or ISO certification and compliance preferred.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of Project Management software and proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Ability to present information and respond to questions from various levels from within or outside the organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Solutions focused and results driven.
• Proactive, self-directed, and motivated; not afraid to "roll up your sleeves."
• Detail focused with strong time management and organization skills.

Travel :

Less than 10% domestic travel required. Occasional need to drive a vehicle to St. Paul.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds.
• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit and squat, kneel, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus