Quality Specialist

Smurfit Westrock; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K

Paid time off

Training & development

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Quality/Inspections professional to support safety and quality in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will participate in inspections, audits, and continual improvement, ensuring products meet SQF, HACCP and ISO standards.

This role emphasizes hands-on use of QA systems, documentation, and collaboration with leadership to resolve issues. Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma and manufacturing experience, plus strong math, reading,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute job duties in a safe and efficient manner.
• Create and support a positive safety culture through proactive engagement.
• Report any issue or event that poses a risk to employee safety, the environment, facilities, or food packaging safety and quality.
• Ensure a safe workplace is always maintained and that all employees prioritize safety in their daily habits and practices.
• Ensure compliance of all employees and processes with food safety and quality regulations (SQF, HACCP), as well as ISO standards.
• Inspect in-process products using measurement calipers.
• Perform Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL) inspections of raw materials, in-process audits, and final inspections to ensure quality standards are met.
• Communicate all quality issues or failures to management.
• Organize offline inspection activities, including documentation and inspection criteria.
• Document all product and process non-conformities in the Quality Management System.
• Provide support in resolving customer quality concerns.

Skills

Reading & writing instructions

Math skills

Computer literacy

Communication

Multi-tasking

Project management

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Email

Databases

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Job description

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go‑to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

The Opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to support quality and safety operations in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, ensuring products meet strict food safety, regulatory, and customer standards. The position plays a key role in inspections, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives while partnering closely with leadership to resolve quality issues. It provides hands‑on experience with quality systems, compliance standards (SQF, HACCP, ISO), and process optimization. Candidates will develop strong technical, analytical, and communication skills while contributing to a culture focused on safety, efficiency, and operational excellence.

How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock

• Execute job duties in a safe and efficient manner.
• Create and support a positive safety culture through proactive engagement.
• Each person, regardless of role or position, is responsible for Food Packaging Safety, Quality, and GMP.
• Report any issue or event that poses a risk to employee safety, the environment, facilities, or food packaging safety and quality.
• Ensure a safe workplace is always maintained and that all employees prioritize safety in their daily habits and practices.
• Ensure compliance of all employees and processes with food safety and quality regulations (SQF, HACCP), as well as ISO standards.
• Support all aspects of the quality system, including establishing, training, and auditing processes to achieve required quality metrics.
• Inspect in-process products using measurement calipers.
• Perform Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL) inspections of raw materials, in-process audits, and final inspections to ensure quality standards are met.
• Communicate all quality issues or failures to management.
• Organize offline inspection activities, including documentation and inspection criteria.
• Document all product and process non-conformities in the Quality Management System.
• Provide support in resolving customer quality concerns.
• Participate in annual refresher training on quality and SQF topics.
• Maintain work area in compliance with 5S standards.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced environment and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Follow all applicable policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, corrective actions, safety events, and training.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What You Need To Succeed

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and write instructions and interpret.
• Documents such as safety rules, operating procedures, and maintenance manuals.
• Basic reading skills with strong mathematical ability.
• Intermediate computer skills (email, databases, word processing, spreadsheets, etc.).
• Ability to work overtime as needed, including during peak periods.
• Strong communication skills with professionalism, tact, and sensitivity.
• Ability to read and understand specifications, blueprints, and regulatory standards, and apply practical solutions.
• Ability to multitask effectively.
• Project management experience preferred.

What We Offer

• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits available immediately.
• 401K with company match.
• 80 hours of Paid Time Off and 12 Paid Holidays.
• Other benefits such as company paid Long-Term & Short-Term Disability, Tuition Assistance and more.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.