Production Planning Specialist

WestRock Company; Marion (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Anderson, North Carolina, seeks a Quality Manager to lead the Quality function across production, labs, and audits. You will maintain QMS and FSMS, drive improvements, and ensure compliance with ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, and customer requirements.

Responsibilities include overseeing internal/external audits, leading CAPAs, and supporting cross-functional teams to sustain product integrity and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Quality Systems in a manufacturing setting.
• Leading ISO 9001 and Food Safety certification audits (FSSC 22000, SQF or similar).
• Strong HACCP knowledge and regulatory compliance.
• Internal auditor certification and experience.
• Experience in plastics processing, packaging, or food contact materials preferred.
• Knowledge of QMS and audit methodologies and GMP requirements.
• Familiarity with OSHA requirements and safety standards.
• Lean/5S and root-cause analysis experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality function at the Anderson site, ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance.
• Own governance, maintenance, and improvement of QMS and FSMS; manage audits.
• Act as primary site representative during external and customer audits.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions and monitor Quality KPIs.
• Support cross-functional teams to embed quality in daily operations.
• Coordinate training on quality standards, food safety, GMP, and certification.

Skills

Leadership

Audit management

Problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation management

Continuous improvement

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Food Science, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Quality reporting systems

Job description

Overview

Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging, operates in 40 countries with over 500 packaging converting plants and 62 paper mills. We offer an unrivalled portfolio of innovative packaging solutions, ranging from corrugated and consumer packaging to Bag-in-Box® packaging and point-of-sale displays.

As a trusted partner to businesses around the world, Smurfit Westrock is committed to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges.

With nine factories worldwide, Smurfit Westrock Bag-in-Box is the European leader in Bag-in-Box® solutions and its Vitop® tap is the world’s number one for wine taps.

Bag-in-Box® is a sustainable packaging choice for many sectors such as wine, juice, liquid egg, dairy and non-food applications such as engine oil and chemicals.

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the overall Quality function at the Anderson site, including product quality, laboratory, customer complaints, internal and external audits, and quality support to Production. As part of this responsibility, the role owns the governance, maintenance and continuous improvement of the Quality and Food Safety Management Systems, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001, FSSC 22000 and customer-specific and regulatory requirements.

The position plays a key leadership role in protecting product integrity, regulatory compliance, and customer confidence.

Responsibilities

• Perform all work in accordance with the highest standards of Smurfit Westrock safety policies and ensure all quality and food safety systems operate in full compliance.
• Own and maintain site certifications including but not limited to ISO 9001, FSSC 22000 and any additional customer or regulatory certifications.
• Act as primary site representative during external certification audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Lead internal audit programs and ensure timely closure of corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS) and Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
• Drive root cause analysis for non-conformances, customer complaints, audit findings and systemic issues.
• Ensure full compliance with Food Safety Plans (HACCP), verification and validation processes.
• Oversee document control processes including SOPs, work instructions, specifications and record retention.
• Monitor and report Quality KPIs to the General Manager and Divisional Quality leadership.
• Support cross-functional teams (Production, Maintenance, Supply Chain, R&D) to ensure compliance is embedded in daily operations.
• Ensure proper management of non-conforming materials and disposition processes.
• Coordinate training programs related to quality standards, food safety, GMP and certification requirements.
• Ensure readiness for unannounced audits and maintain continuous audit preparedness.
• Partner with divisional Quality and Regulatory teams to align site practices with corporate standards and global best practices.
• Support environmental and sustainability compliance requirements linked to certification standards where applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Food Science, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing Quality Systems within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading ISO 9001 and Food Safety certification audits (FSSC 22000, SQF or similar).
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP principles and regulatory compliance.
• Certificate and demonstrated experience as internal auditor.
• Experience within plastics processing, packaging, or food contact materials strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems and audit methodologies.
• Deep understanding of Food Safety regulations and GMP requirements.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements including Machine Guarding and Lockout/Tag-Out procedures.
• Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies (LEAN, 5S, Root Cause Analysis).
• Knowledge of corporate and environmental policies.
• Familiarity with customer-specific certification requirements and supplier qualification processes.
• Strong leadership and influence skills.
• Excellent audit management capability.
• Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong organizational and documentation management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality reporting systems.