Quality Manager

What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference?  At International Paper, you control your destiny.  We offer challenging assignments and total rewards in countries around the world.  When we say infinite possibilities, we mean it.  Apply now and join a community that improves people’s lives, the planet and our company’s performance by transforming renewable resources into products people depend on every day.

Position Title:

Quality Manager

Pay Rate:

Position level ranges from 11 – 13, commensurate with experience

$95,000 - $130,000

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills, and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Category/Shift:

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location:

Columbus Modified Fiber

371 Manufacturers Drive

Columbus, MS  39701

The Job You Will Perform:

This position supports International Paper’s Columbus Modified Fiber facility (CMF), located in Columbus, Mississippi.  CMF is a vital part of International Paper’s Global Cellulose Fibers Business.  We are a converting operation that produces specialty fibers used in the production of diapers and other absorbent personal care products.

The Quality Manager (QM) is key member of a specialty product leadership team, responsible for rapidly growing a proprietary business.  The QM will lead quality systems and manage lab operations, while also supporting all manufacturing processes.  The CMF team is entrepreneurial, requiring adaptive and innovative leaders who can manage multiple fast-paced priorities.

Reporting directly to the CMF Product Performance Manager (PPM), the QM will establish and maintain the GCF Quality Management System (QMS) at CMF which meets ISO 9001, EDANA, and customer quality audit requirements.  Responsibilities include raw material quality assurance, manufacturing quality assurance, finished product quality, product delivery quality, and customer performance quality.

Key Accountabilities:

The key accountabilities listed below are not all-inclusive; additional tasks may be required based on changing business needs.

• • Leads efforts for an injury-free environment through safe behavior, safety activities, and maintaining a clean work environment.
  • Partners with the CMF PPM to be the “voice of the customer”, assists with quality strategy development and execution
  • Develop, maintain, and improve the CMF QMS
  • Maintain ISO 9001 quality system certification
  • Participate in internal & external audits including mill, GCF, and customer audits.
  • Lead and participate in relevant RCFAs and CAPAs
  • Be an active member of the CMF Extended Leadership Team (ELT) to achieve business commitments.
  • Acts as liaison for key contractors in the areas of Quality.
  • Develop effective relationships with CMF staff and technicians to maximize team member engagement with quality systems and results while ensuring a positive, productive, and safe work environment.
  • Site coordinator for Proficy and other critical business software for quality.
  • Meet internal and external customer requirements by ensuring communication and processes are in place to maximize positive relations and interface with the mill’s Lead Team, departments, and GCF corporate support teams, including the Innovation Center (IC), Customer Technical Services (CTS), Global Quality Resources, and Subject Matter Experts (SME), as well as customers regarding quality; assist PPM in coordinating all customer interactions with the mill, including resolution of quality issues, changes in quality specifications, and site visits.
  • Support product innovation efforts, trials, projects and commercialization.
  • Be willing to travel and provide support outside normal business hours, including nights and weekends.

The Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge You Will Bring:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.) in Chemical, Biomedical, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or similar technical discipline; relevant industry experience may substitute for a degree
• 5+ years’ experience in operations management & leadership, preferably in a Pulp & Paper Mill or converting facility with a focus on quality & safety
• Experience implementing and maintaining safety and quality initiatives
• Strong communication, analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills
• Strong project management and organizational skills with high accuracy and attention to detail
• Knowledge of basic statistical quality control (SQC), design of experiments, and related computer applications
• Ability to learn manufacturing processes and associated technologies impacting quality
• Skilled in troubleshooting and optimizing manufacturing processes to achieve quality performance
• Skilled in developing and tracking key quality variables, including supporting SOPs and operational requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Proficy, Omega, SAP, PI, Parcview, and Minitab
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Extensive knowledge of quality control measures and ISO standards
• Experience in quality system audits and executing compliance plans
• Proven success managing day-to-day lab testing, equipment calibrations, testing validation/certification, customer specification tracking, and customer specification compliance, and product release protocol
• Experience developing and improving off-quality management, tracking, and product rework controls and protocols
• Successful experience working in a global, demanding customer relationship
• Skilled in learning customer application processes and providing both leadership and technical expertise to solve quality issues through both formal and information corrective action and follow-up processes
• Experience in Change Management
• NDT experience in X-Ray or Ultrasonic

Competencies:  Functional/Technical Skills, Customer Focus, Instills Trust, Optimizes Work Processes, Courage, Action Oriented, Decision Quality, Manages Complexity, Manages Ambiguity, Directs Work, Drives Engagement, Interpersonal Savvy, Drives Results, Communicates Effectively, Builds Effective Teams, Collaborates, Resourcefulness, Plans & Aligns, Nimble Learning, Self-Development

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper’s GCF business offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, and Paid Time Off.

The Career You Will Build:

Leadership training and promotional opportunities within a global company

The Impact You Will Make:

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company!  IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years.  Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.

The Culture You Will Experience:

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces.  We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.  These are our strengths.  We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day.  We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join:

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.  With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries.  Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion.

Our GCF business helps customers transform renewable cellulose fibers into essential everyday products.  Our safe, high-quality pulp forms the basis for a wide range of applications like towel and tissue products, diapers, feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products.  Following International Paper’s strategic review, GCF is transitioning to become a standalone company supported by American Industrial Partners, positioning us to deliver enhanced value to customers and continue shaping a healthier, more sustainable future.  Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement - Know Your Rights:  Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

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