Quality Sr Manager

Graphic Packaging International, LLC; Shelbyville (IL); On-site; USD 111,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Graphic Packaging International, LLC is seeking a Quality Sr Manager in Shelbyville, IL to lead manufacturing quality programs and continuous improvement initiatives across plant operations.

You will own SQF compliance, audit readiness, and CAPA processes while driving data-driven decisions that improve product quality and process performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 6+ years of quality leadership experience in manufacturing or regulated environments.
• Experience managing customer complaints, escalations, CAPA activities.
• Strong knowledge of SQF, HACCP, GMP, Quality Management Systems (QMS), and audit readiness.
• Experience leading internal audits and maintaining compliance with quality and food safety standards.
• Lean Six Sigma knowledge (Green Belt-level preferred), data analysis, and continuous improvement experience.
• Proficiency with Minitab, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Prior people leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Implement continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean methodologies to enhance operational efficiency, quality, and process performance.
• Direct plant-wide quality systems and compliance activities while serving as the primary internal auditor to maintain ongoing readiness for SQF and customer-specific audits.
• Lead audit preparation, inspections, corrective action follow-up, and compliance activities to support strong audit performance and sustained adherence to quality and food safety requirements.
• Responsible for ensuring quality and food safety standards are executed and sustained.
• Manage customer escalations and quality concerns, lead root cause analysis investigations, and develop and implement corrective and preventive actions using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Partner with Operations and Continuous Improvement teams to identify opportunities to reduce defects, improve process control, enhance operational performance, and drive continuous improvement and cost-saving initiatives.
• Utilize data analysis and quality tools to identify trends, evaluate process performance, and support data-driven decision-making.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Minitab

Excel

PowerPoint

People leadership

Communication skills

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Quality Sr Manager

Shelbyville, IL

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

JOB SUMMARY:

Manufacturing Quality Control work includes: Auditing, monitoring, and determining the quality of manufacturing processes and/or outputs against defined internal and regulatory standards Testing random samples of finished goods Reporting manufacturing process deviations and defects in finished goods and liaising with Quality Assurance to troubleshoot and resolve problems

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for implementing continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean methodologies and principles to enhance operational efficiency, quality, and process performance.

• Direct plant-wide quality systems and compliance activities while serving as the primary internal auditor to maintain ongoing readiness for SQF and customer-specific audits.

• Lead audit preparation, inspections, corrective action follow-up, and compliance activities to support strong audit performance and sustained adherence to quality and food safety requirements.

• Responsible for ensuring quality and food safety standards are executed and sustained.

• Manage customer escalations and quality concerns, lead root cause analysis investigations, and develop and implement corrective and preventive actions using structured problem-solving methodologies.

• Partner with Operations and Continuous Improvement teams to identify opportunities to reduce defects, improve process control, enhance operational performance, and drive continuous improvement and cost-saving initiatives.

• Utilize data analysis and quality tools to identify trends, evaluate process performance, and support data-driven decision-making.

• Background knowledge of and skills: HACCP, SQF, Problem Solving, Data Analysis, Minitab, Lean Six Sigma, A3 Structured Problem Solving

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required is preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 5-7+ years of quality leadership experience in manufacturing, packaging, food production, pharma, or other regulated environments.

• Experience managing customer complaints, escalations, root cause investigations, and CAPA activities.

• Strong knowledge of SQF, HACCP, GMP, Quality Management Systems (QMS), and audit readiness.

• Experience leading internal audits and maintaining compliance with quality and food safety standards.

• Lean Six Sigma knowledge (Green Belt-level preferred), data analysis, and continuous improvement experience.

• Proficiency with Minitab, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Prior people leadership experience, including coaching, training, and managing direct reports.

• Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and customer-facing skills.

• Ability to prioritize competing demands, drive quality culture, and work cross-functionally across plant operations.

Safe Quality Food Responsibilities:

• Follow all Plant rules, Processes, Hygiene, and Allergens procedures, related to production of Safe Quality Foods.

• Report to person of authority to record any potentially unsafe conditions which may result in unsafe foods or noncompliance to SQF related procedures.

• Participate in SQF Root Cause and Corrective Actions (from customer complaints, SQF audits, validation, and verification activities) as required.

• Follow all procedures related to producing Safe Quality Foods (SQF).

• Report any potentially unsafe SQF conditions or customer complaints to a person of authority to record and/or correct the situation

Education & Experience:

BA or equivalent + 6 yrs related experience, or MA + 4 yrs related experience

Disclaimer

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Graphic Packaging retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Competencies

Business Acumen

Curiosity

Interpersonal Skills

Influence Skills

Self-Starter

Negotiation Skills

Organization Skills

Results Oriented

Pay Range

$110,900.00 - $147,900.00

Pay Range: $110,900.00 - $147,900.00

Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email [e-mail] .