Job Description
Quality Manager
About us
American Paper Bag is an American owned company that is proud to offer what no other US manufacturer can: revolutionary paper shopping bags with unmatched customization options. Because we produce products with less paper that require lower shipping costs, we are environmentally friendly. We are currently experiencing rapid growth and seeking an experienced quality professional to lead and strengthen our quality systems.
The Position:
The Quality Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the facility's quality management system and product quality standards. This role ensures raw materials, production processes, finished products, packaging, and documentation consistently meet company specifications, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards. The Quality Manager works closely with Production, Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Purchasing, Customer Service, and leadership to prevent defects, resolve quality issues, improve process capability, reduce scrap and rework, and promote a strong culture of quality throughout the facility. This position reports to Chief Technology Officer.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the facility quality management system, policies, procedures, work instructions, inspection plans, and quality standards.
- Establish and maintain product specifications, acceptance criteria, sampling plans, control plans, and testing requirements for raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
- Lead incoming, in-process, and final quality inspection activities to verify product dimensions, construction, printing, color, adhesion, strength, functionality, packaging, labeling, and overall workmanship.
- Ensure production consistently meets customer specifications, approved artwork, purchase order requirements, and internal quality standards.
- Investigate customer complaints, internal defects, nonconforming material, returns, and quality escapes using structured root cause analysis methods.
- Lead corrective and preventive action activities, assign owners and due dates, verify completion, and confirm that actions effectively prevent recurrence.
- Manage nonconforming material controls, including identification, segregation, disposition, rework, deviation approval, and documentation.
- Monitor quality performance indicators such as defect rates, scrap, rework, customer complaints, returns, first-pass yield, and supplier performance.
- Analyze quality data and production trends to identify recurring issues, prioritize improvement opportunities, and provide recommendations to facility leadership.
- Partner with Production, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to improve process capability, machine setup, inspection methods, and defect prevention.
- Support new product introductions, process changes, equipment installations, trials, and validation activities to ensure quality requirements are defined and achieved.
- Conduct internal quality audits, layered process audits, product audits, and documentation reviews to verify compliance with established procedures and standards.
- Prepare for and support customer audits, certification audits, supplier audits, and other external quality assessments.
- Manage calibration and verification programs for measuring devices, inspection tools, test equipment, color standards, gauges, and related quality instruments.
- Develop and maintain traceability, lot control, retention sample, document control, and record retention processes.
- Work with Purchasing and suppliers to establish material requirements, address supplier nonconformances, and improve incoming material quality.
- Review and approve quality documentation, certificates of analysis or conformance, deviations, and product release records as required.
- Train and coach inspectors, operators, supervisors, and other employees on quality standards, inspection techniques, defect recognition, documentation, and problem-solving methods.
- Lead and develop the quality team, including assigning priorities, evaluating performance, and building technical capability.
- Maintain a visible presence on the production floor and respond promptly to urgent product or process quality concerns.
- All duties as assigned by management.
Position Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Quality Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Business, or a related field preferred.
- 5-8 years of progressive quality experience in manufacturing, packaging, printing, converting, paper products, plastics, food and beverage, or a similar production environment preferred.
- Previous experience leading or managing a plant-level quality department or quality management system strongly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of quality management principles, inspection methods, sampling techniques, process control, defect prevention, and continuous improvement.
- Experience with corrective and preventive action, root cause analysis, nonconforming material, customer complaints, internal audits, and supplier quality.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001 or similar quality management system standards preferred.
- Experience using problem-solving and improvement tools such as 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, Pareto analysis, control charts, capability studies, FMEA, and statistical process control preferred.
- Ability to read and interpret product specifications, technical drawings, approved artwork, customer requirements, inspection standards, and manufacturing documentation.
- Experience with measuring equipment, gauges, test methods, calibration systems, and inspection documentation.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and the relationship between materials, machine settings, operating conditions, and finished product quality.
- Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, auditors, and cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues.
- Quality certification such as ASQ Certified Quality Manager, Certified Quality Engineer, Six Sigma Green Belt, or Six Sigma Black Belt is a plus.
- Strong leadership and team-development skills with the ability to build accountability and a quality-focused culture at all levels of the organization.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare reports, procedures, training materials, audit responses, and customer communications.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using quality management, ERP, production, or statistical analysis systems preferred.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and make sound decisions during urgent production or customer quality issues.
- Comfortable working on the production floor for extended periods and performing inspections in active manufacturing areas.
- Ability to occasionally lift, bend, climb stairs or ladders, and wear required personal protective equipment.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, shutdowns, and overtime as needed.
Benefits: 401K matching Health, Vision, Life and Dental insurance Paid time off Referral Program
Pay: $80,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
