Quality Assurance Manager

Confidential; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential, a two-site manufacturing operation, is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead QA and compliance across Kansas City facilities. You will report to the Regional Quality Leader and drive SQF and ISO 9001 programs, with a focus on safeguarding food safety and quality.

This role emphasizes CAPA, RCA, audits, COPQ reduction, and people leadership, with responsibilities spanning staffing, training, and performance reviews.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance in manufacturing.
• 3+ years’ experience in Quality Management, preferably in the flexible packaging or food manufacturing industry.
• Deep understanding of Quality Assurance methodologies such as FMEA, SPCs, TQM, and process auditing.
• Four-year college degree in Engineering or related quality field.
• Proficiency in verbal and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Leads all aspects of the Quality Assurance department at two PPC Kansas City facilities.
• Serves as SQF and ISO 9001 practitioner and leads Food Safety programs with support from leadership.
• Develops and implements quality systems and procedures.
• Leads RCA and CAPA investigations, develops action plans, and ensures long-term sustainability.
• Manages Quality department personnel, staffing, evaluations, training, and development.
• Monitors COPQ and drives continuous reduction through trend analysis and CAPA.
• Leads internal audit programs, planning, reporting, and corrective actions.
• Backups direct reports to support critical quality activities.
• Ensures all quality responsibilities meet established standards and customer requirements.
• Identifies opportunities for continuous improvement and leads related projects.
• Promote a culture of safety and compliance with all safety policies.

Skills

Quality systems

Process improvement

Data analysis

Communication

Leadership

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related quality field

Tools

FMEA

SPC

TQM

Internal auditing

SQF

ISO 9001

Job description

The Quality Assurance Manager – Kansas City leads all aspects of the facility level Quality Assurance and Compliance programs between two manufacturing sites that are one continuous operation. This position will report directly to the Regional Quality Leader for the Consumer East Region. Backups for this position will be the Regional Quality Leader and/or QA Lead.

This job description and performance standard document have 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.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Leads all aspects of the Quality Assurance department at the two PPC Kansas City manufacturing facilities.
• Serves as the primary SQF and ISO 9001 practitioner and leads the Food Safety and Compliance programs with support from the Regional Quality Leader and Regional Compliance Coordinator.
• Develops and implements quality systems and procedures that support PPC's Quality Assurance philosophy.
• Serves as the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) champion by coordinating investigations, gathering data, facilitating CAPA meetings, developing action plans, implementing solutions, and ensuring long‑term sustainability.
• Manages all Quality department personnel in Kansas City, including staffing, performance evaluations, training, employee development, and departmental support.
• Monitors and reports on the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) while driving continuous reduction through trend analysis and CAPA initiatives.
• Leads the Quality and Food Safety internal audit programs at each site, including audit planning, execution, reporting findings, and ensuring timely corrective actions.
• Serves as a backup for direct reports, as needed, to support critical quality activities and ensure uninterrupted service to PPC customers.
• Ensures all quality responsibilities and functions are performed in accordance with established quality standards and customer requirements.
• Identifies opportunities for continuous improvement and leads projects that enhance quality, efficiency, and overall business performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned that are consistent with the essential functions of the position.
• Promote a culture of safety by encouraging all employees to engage in safe work practices and comply with all safety policies and procedures.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Previous experience with the creation, implementation, and continual improvement of Quality and Food Safety systems such as SQF and ISO:9001.
• Process oriented individual with the ability to understand complex processes, identify opportunities within those processes, and revise processes to be more effective.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance in manufacturing, and 3+ years’ experience in Quality Management, preferably in the flexible packaging and/or food manufacturing industry.
• Deep understanding of Quality Assurance methodologies such as FMEA, SPC’s, TQM, and process auditing.
• Driven and highly motivated individual, that follows directions well and can work with little or no supervision once a goal has been provided.
• Well‑developed emotional quotient, able to relate well to people at all levels inside and outside the organization such as operators, executives, suppliers, customers, etc.
• Four-year college degree, in a Bachelor of Science field, preferably in Engineering or other Quality related field of study.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), including data analysis, reporting, and presentation development.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.