Sr Product Quality Manager

Clearwater Paper is a premier independent supplier of high-quality paperboard packaging products. Headquartered in Spokane, Washington
, the company specializes in producing sustainable paperboard solutions used primarily for consumer goods, folding cartons, liquid packaging, and food service applications like cups and plates.

• Lead the mill quality function by establishing priorities, performance objectives, and quality expectations aligned with business goals
• Drive a culture of built-in quality through proactive process control, risk management, and continuous improvement
• Serve as the subject matter expert for SBS product quality, customer requirements, and quality-related risks
• Develop, implement, and maintain Quality and Food Safety Management Systems aligned with ISO 9001, FSC®, PEFC™, FSSC 22000, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Ensure compliance with product standards and regulations, including FDA, BfR, EU, and other domestic and international requirements
• Maintain effective document control, product specifications, procedures, records management, and audit readiness
• Lead internal and external quality and certification audits, ensuring timely resolution of findings

• Monitor critical product attributes including basis weight, caliper, moisture, formation, surface properties, print performance, sheeting, and roll quality
• Drive effective use of statistical process control (SPC), control charts, and trend analysis to identify improvement opportunities and reduce variability
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to reduce defects, waste, off-grade production, and process variation.

• Manage customer quality concerns from intake through root cause analysis, corrective action, and resolution
• Partner with Sales, Customer Service, and Technical Service teams to address customer requirements and quality issues
• Lead structured problem-solving investigations using tools such as 5-Why, Fishbone, and DMAIC
• Track customer satisfaction metrics, claims, and cost of poor quality
• Support new product development, grade development, and customer trials by validating product quality, specifications, and performance requirements
• Participate in Management of Change (MOC) processes for raw materials, chemicals, equipment, and process modifications

• Ensure laboratory testing accuracy and reliability in accordance with TAPPI, ISO, and customer-specific methods
• Oversee calibration programs, sample handling, test reproducibility, and data integrity requirements
• Improve laboratory efficiency, safety, and technical capability
• Lead quality improvement initiatives using data-driven analysis to reduce claims, rework, waste, downtime, and quality-related costs

• 7+ years of progressive quality experience within the pulp and paper industry
• 4+ years of supervisory experience, including performance management, coaching and employee development
• Strong knowledge of paper and paperboard testing methods, including TAPPI/ISO, statistical process control, data analysis, and quality management systems such as ISO, GMP, and SQF
• Working knowledge of fiber certification, food-contact packaging requirements, and translating customer specifications into operational quality controls

• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in manufacturing and operational areas, including eye and hearing protection, hard hat, and steel-toed footwear
• Work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, dust, odors, temperature variations, and industrial conditions
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling as required…