Complex Quality Manager

Position Title:

Complex Quality Manager

Pay Rate:

$101,000-134,600

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range. Variable pay may provide additional opportunities for financial awards. This job is eligible to participate in IP’s annual and long-term incentive plans.

Category/Shift:

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location:

Indianapolis, IN

The Job You Will Perform:

The Complex Quality Manager provides leadership across the complex by seeing that a comprehensive, documented Quality System is implemented, functioning and effective and is being continuously improved across the complex (Indianapolis, Munster, IN , Kennesaw, GA, Salem, OR and Reno, NV). The Quality Manager will lead a team of six quality technicians to fulfill the responsibilities of this function.

The Quality Manager will lead year over year sustainable, facility supported product and service quality improvement through improving Quality System S.O.P.’s, Audit Processes, and operational reliability along with increasing our level of knowledge to support our internal and external customers.  The Quality Manager must produce actual results measured by reductions in the number and cost of customer complaints utilizing skills and best practices championed by the individual. 

This individual is responsible for the effective implementation of a Quality System to include but not limited to Incoming Inspections, In-process testing, and Final Product inspection to assure the highest quality of product to our customers.  This will include maintenance of accurate and reliable logs and audit reports recording these tests and inspections and confirming the adherence to these S.O.P.’s. 

This individual is responsible for the effective operation of a quality system to track Customer and Internal complaints as well as the analysis of this data to drive a continuous improvement effort for the business.

The Quality Manager is responsible for providing support through the Quality Team to the plants in the areas of resolution of manufacturing problems as they relate to product quality.  Similarly to the Sales Team and our customers in the areas of customer quality audits / questionnaires and timely complaint follow up and reports etc.

The Quality Manager is responsible for completing all other tasks as assigned in support of the business that utilize his / her knowledge and experience as Quality Manager.

• Product Quality / Customer Satisfaction - The Quality Manager is accountable for creating year over year, measurable, plant supported product quality and customer satisfaction improvement.  The individual will work closely with the Site Managers / Supervisors to implement / maintain / and continuously improve our Quality System and will maintain an effective quality complaint / audit system to provide data to measure and guide this effort.
• Customer / Sales Support – The Quality Manager is accountable for providing Quality/Technical Support to our Customers in the form of responding to Customer Surveys and Questionnaires. Furthermore by being a resource to our Sales Team and customers for more specific product and Quality System information.
• Process Technical Support – Assist the Manufacturing Team in the resolution of process problems affecting Product Quality through the use of Six Sigma and other problems solving techniques.
• Works with SQF practitioner to support SQF certification across all sites executing “mock” recalls and other SQF compliance requirements as necessary. 
• Communication Skills - Advocates, promotes, and sells Quality best practices and shares information freely. Work in a team environment with Site Managers and Production Supervisors to assist with the successful operation of the Quality System.
• Report Writing – Summary report in follow-up to customer complaints. 
•    This role requires up to 50% travel and must be willing to provide assistance 24/7 to manufacturing facilities.
• This role requires a very good understanding of corrugated packaging as well as flexible film conversion and injection molding for use within food contact packaging. Exposure and knowledge of liquid packaging would be an added benefit in this role. 

This position must juggle many tasks simultaneously and therefore requires excellent time management, prioritization and planning skills while bringing a keen attention to detail and accuracy.  This position must work with multiple Site Managers and Supervisors to bring about effective change through developing a team environment and employee attitude that results in permanent improvements to our business.

The Skills You Will Bring:

• A thorough understanding of Quality Systems is essential. Experience in designing, implementing, maintaining and continuously improving Quality Systems in a manufacturing environment is essential.
• Corrugated packaging in conjunction with flexible film and injection molding  knowledge is important.
• Experience within food contact packaging operations. 
• Capable of handling quality improvement projects involving operations and facility management relationships.
• Effective at setting own priorities and maintaining working relationships with minimum noise. 
• Shows the ability to coordinate with other professionals.
• Effective communication and presentation skills to effect recommendations.
• Transfer understanding of solutions to institutionalize a change.
• Bachelor’s Degree (preferably in a science or technical field) and 5+ years of quality management experience is required.
• Experience in project development, team leadership, and process capability analysis is beneficial.
• Knowledgeable of continuous improvement methods such as Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma, etc.
• Experience with facilitating problem solving and process improvement activities. Experience in data analysis would be an asset.

Competencies:

• Builds Effective Teams
• Business Insight / Cross border International Trade
• Communicates Effectively
• Courage
• Customer Focus
• Develops Talent
• Drives Engagement
• Drives Vision and Purpose
• Proven Safety Leadership
• Strategic Mindset
• Values Differences
• Virtual/Distance Leadership

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper 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, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets. 

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. You will learn Safety Leadership Principles and have the opportunity to opt into Employee Networking Circles such as IPVets, IPride, Women in IP, and the African American ENC. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join:

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what’s next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.