Quality Assurance Lead; 1st shift

Job Summary

Lead the quality assurance testing as defined by plant management or customer specification. Interprets organization/customer requirements related to product specifications. Lead audit quality checks and procedure compliance.

• Perform and monitor quality checks in all departments to ensure defects do not occur.
• Train operators on how to identify and prevent product defects.
• Train operators on quality checks and testing SOPs.
• Achieve SQF and HACCP certifications and train new hires to GMPs and perform annual SQF training with all employees.
• Work with operators to troubleshoot defects and determine correct course of action.
• Perform daily testing for customer products, as required.
• Determine and manage substandard product and raw materials (paperboard), determining what can/should be sold, sorted/reworked or scrapped.
• Enter internal and vendor (raw material) complaints into non‑SAP SharePoint.
• Manage the quality incident investigation process to ascertain root cause(s) and recommend preventive measures.
• Oversee all sort activities (establish sort standards, mentor and monitor temporary employees, SAP entries, and housekeeping).
• Perform customer and internal sampling requirements.
• Participate in internal and external customer visits.
• Manage color standard and first‑run color materials process.
• Work directly with operators to achieve high quality color material.
• Manage the quality lab (testing, calibrations, troubleshooting, housekeeping, and training).
• Develop and maintain documents and SOPs.
• COAs, EOM reporting, and color management.
• Gather data as requested for projects, troubleshooting, etc.
• Give the OK to sell when supervisor is unavailable.
• Participate in safety and quality behavior‑based observations.
• May assist supervising a team of quality inspectors.
• Strictly adhere to Graphic Packaging International’s commitment to SQF and HACCP requirements, food safety, and food defense.
• Share an obligation to protect and strengthen Graphic Packaging International’s reputation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Manufacturing experience preferred.

• Language skills:
  Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization; bilingual in English/Spanish highly preferred.
• Mathematical skills:
  Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; compute rate, ratio, and percent; draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Reasoning ability:
  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Computer skills:
  Proficient with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); previous ERP experience preferred.
• Mechanical skills:
  Ability to use industry‑standard testing equipment, measuring devices and scales required.

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required. 3–5 years’ experience, preferably in manufacturing.

Schedules are 8‑hour shifts (Mon–Fri). Employees may work up to 12‑hour shifts, include weekends, early mornings, nights, and be available to travel to customer facilities. Expected travel is