Quality Sr Manager

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

Job summary

Graphic Packaging International is seeking a Manufacturing Quality Control leader to oversee QA processes, audits, and continuous improvement across our manufacturing operations. The role emphasizes SQF compliance, root-cause analysis, and CAPA management for food packaging products.

You will lead cross-functional teams, drive data-driven decisions, and mentor staff to maintain high quality and safety standards in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 6+ years of quality leadership experience in manufacturing or regulated environments.
• Experience managing customer complaints, escalations, and CAPA activities.
• Strong knowledge of SQF, HACCP, GMP, Quality Management Systems (QMS), and audit readiness.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant-wide quality systems and compliance activities to support SQF and audits.
• Direct internal audits, corrective action follow-up, and compliance.
• Lead root cause investigations and CAPA implementation.
• Ensure quality and food safety standards are executed and sustained.
• Manage customer escalations and quality concerns with cross-functional teams.
• Drive continuous improvement with Operations and CI teams to reduce defects.
• Utilize data analysis and quality tools to identify trends and inform decisions.

Skills

Quality leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BA or equivalent

6+ years related experience

Tools

Minitab

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

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.

Career Level

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].

Requisition: 15593