Description & Requirements Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.

Job Purpose

The role focuses on compliance, customers, and continuous improvement activities to create a total quality culture and reduce quality costs in line with best practice procedures. 

To protect and please the customer by ensuring supply of the highest quality product Working with production and support functions to maintain and improve our quality systems and adherence to operational best practice thus guaranteeing compliance to external and internal standards  To drive improvement activities to support quality and financial performance leading key improvement projects evolving through customer requirements, legislative changes, and amendments to accredited standards to ensure compliance with standards and pending accreditation audits Draft, review and implement changes to our current quality systems, standard operating procedures, and policies to satisfy customer and third-party requirements 

Job Responsibilities/Key accountabilities:

Key Responsibilities - Quality 

 

Support the Cluster Manager and site Leadership team in quality governance  Lead and support meetings as required and provide information and analysis as required to support the business in understanding KPI’s and decision making Review the quality system as appropriate to ensure full compliance with customer and company best practice guidelines and maximize effectiveness of production contributing to consistent operational performance and standards whilst ensuring conformance to the relevant accreditation standards for the site and customers Provide authoritative guidance and advice on all aspects of quality to the site management team and employees; train and coach employees improving knowledge and skills in quality improvement Recruit, develop, motivate, and manage a Quality team (QA/QC) that optimises quality operations and is flexible in the support it offers the business, meeting current and future needs  Establish and develop professional working relationships with customers, providing a technical service and reference point as required to support the company’s products and reputation as a quality supplier Manage the customer complaint procedure, facilitate the investigation of quality problems, faults, and non-conformances with production teams; manage corrective and preventative problems to ensure quality standards are maintained.  Initiate and control robust investigations to provide corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and support the complaints handling process and participate in implementing improvement actions to prevent re-occurring issues. The facilitation of customer facing activities and communications including customer visits, responses, and preparation of information whilst leading site audit activities (external body, internal and customer) Lead quality initiatives and focus groups to support knowledge and understanding of all operatives and grow awareness of quality issues to improve quality Promote a total quality philosophy at all levels developing a culture of right first time and continuous improvement Develop an Integrated Quality Management System including quality, environment and health and safety 

 

Key Responsibilities – Business Improvement 

Lead improvements to enhance quality system and ensure optimum process in place to meet customer specifications whilst maximising production Review amendments to standards and ensure compliance with accreditation bodies Support introduction of new equipment on site and validation processes to meet safety and customer expectations Take on other projects and responsibilities as required. Contribute ideas and participate in ongoing business improvement initiatives to reduce overall operating costs, improve margin, and provide input into the strategy and operations of the site 

 

Key Responsibilities – Other 

Produce data and present reports for site, customers and corporate as required Identify improvement projects and continuous improvement initiatives in line with site and corporate requirements to improve quality and safety and work with colleagues to implement these Support senior leadership team in introducing systems and procedures to enhance operating effectiveness and efficiencies Deliver GMP, Quality and FSC training to all employees as required Take on other projects and responsibilities as required 

 

Knowledge, Skills, Experience  

Minimum 5 years’ experience in a Quality role at a senior or management level Working and audit knowledge relevant accredited standards Experience in a manufacturing/production environment ideally with experience and knowledge of Industry standards and guidelines Demonstrable experience of leading change and implementing continuous improvement processes. Supervisory experience  Demonstrable experience of validating new equipment and processes Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Project management and problem-solving skills such as 6 Sigma, or another recognised Business Improvement Technique Root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques  Customer relations skills Skilled in information handling, analysis, and presentation Competent in using Microsoft Office packages  

Competencies: 

People Management 

Leadership & Vision – Ability to inspire a team with a clear vision and purpose Coaching & Developing people – The ability to teach operational skills to others and mentor/coach accordingly Managing performance – Ability to monitor and evaluate performance and take appropriate action. 

Personal Competencies 

Communication – Ability to convey ideas and decisions to internal and external customers Determination – Ability to overcome obstacles Influence/Persuasiveness – Ability to influence and inspire others to act 

 

Managing the Business 

Organisation – The ability to judge situations accurately and make sound operational decisions to deliver results on time Continuous Improvement – The ability to continually monitor and review current working practices and make the best use of resources to improve organisational results