Continuous Improvement Manager (Wayne, NJ, US, 07470)

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities. 

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

We are seeking candidates to join our Continuous Improvement/Quality team as a  Continuous Improvement Manager . We offer outstanding opportunities for our employees to advance their careers through on the job training and job progression. These are skilled trade positions where our employees build successful careers in the Printing & Packaging industry. 

JOB SUMMARY:  Direct the Quality and Continuous Improvement Process for the GPI facility. This involves the development, implementation and preservation of the validity of the Quality System, the proper allocation of available capital to equipment and processes which move the business forward and the identification of personnel training requirements relative to new equipment and processes. The major objective is to improve the people and processes to remove cost from the system and to improve our product quality so that we are more competitive in the marketplace and our business grows. They understand and align business operations and the Department as he/she executes their role to exceed customer expectations and align with GPI business, cultural, financial and operational objectives.

JOB FUNCTIONS:  Job functions include, but are not limited to the following.

• Meet and maintain all divisional Quality Process Management objectives as established by GPI.
• Direct the activities, duties, and projects of the QC and Lab Technicians to assure compliance to customer specifications.
• Serve as the plant’s contact for customer complaints and customer compliance audits. Maintain reporting systems for internal and external complaints within SAP in accordance with GPI requirements.
• Direct the development of SPC in both production and QC areas necessary to maintain a level of process control that meets or exceeds customer expectations.
• Execute and manage CI initiatives including Six Sigma, Process Improvement, and Lean projects. Track and report all financial validated savings through the GPI Project Tracking Database.
• Communicate plant quality expectations and monitor performance relative to the objectives in a timely and effective manner.
• Actively solicit input from all employees to aid in successfully accomplishing the above listed actions.
• Shared responsibility for compliance with all facility product safety (GMP’s)/Sanitation policies and procedures. Must continually work to promote the orderliness and cleanliness of their work area in support of companywide product stewardship standards.
• Be trained and certified in SQF and HACCP for Lead Practitioner within the plant.
• Be knowledgeable concerning SQF prerequisites to include SQF, HACCP, GMP, Food Defense, etc.
• Is responsible for the development, implementation, review, maintenance, and communications of the most recent version of SQF CODE.
• Leads and coordinates the annual plant review of the SQF system, internal audits, and scheduling the annual third-party audit.
• Is responsible for contacting the third -party certification body with a list of dates and justification of any blackout dates for the unannounced audit. (Submission must be 1 month prior to the sixty-day re-certification window).
• Is responsible for coordination of SQF related Root Cause/Corrective Action activities.
• Performs verifications and validation of SQF controls with a determined frequency/schedule.
• Establishes and maintains methods/criteria for monitoring, sampling, inspection, testing, and analyzing raw materials, in-process materials, and finished goods.
• Is responsible for reviewing and updating training skills requirements for SQF for all onsite personnel.
• This position has full responsibility for the development and maintenance of SQF-related documents and records.

• Shares an obligation to protect and strengthen Graphic Packaging International’s good reputation in our relationships with customers, employees, suppliers, competitors, investors, and governmental agencies, and to act consistently with our core values: Integrity, Respect, Accountability, Relationships, and Teamwork
• Other duties as assigned

BACKGROUND / EXPERIENCE:

• Manufacturing experience preferred
• Must be a certified Six Sigma Black Belt or attain certification as part of selection for this position.
• Participates in Six Sigma projects as necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, plan, track, execute and document multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, develop, implement and document systems for maintenance and control of products and processes.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office or similar word processing, MINITAB, SHAREPOINT, spreadsheet and communications software.
• The incumbent will be exposed to the shop floor environment on a daily basis but, the majority of work is done in an office environment.
• The incumbent must demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
• The incumbent must exhibit ability and a desire to make reasoned decisions on actions to be taken, based upon his/her knowledge and experience, with less than complete information on the current situation.
• The incumbent must take a strong position on well-reasoned convictions, be uncompromising in the quest for quality of output whether it is a product, a service or an activity and above all act at all times in accordance with high principles, ethics and a sense of purpose.
• The incumbent must be action oriented and rise to meet challenges quickly, sometimes with a minimum of planning.
• Leadership skills – ability to motivate people to perform at high levels
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must have excellent attendance, be able to work independently and be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION / KNOWLEDGE:

• Minimum 2 year degree with 5 years of work experience in progressively more responsible positions

SKILLS:

• LANGUAGE SKILLS
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.
• MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to 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. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• LEADERSHIP SKILLS

• Action Oriented / Drive for Results
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Customer Focus
• Functional / Technical Skills
• Perseverance
• Planning and Priority Setting
• Problem Solving
• Composure
• Decision Quality
• Integrity and Trust
• Conflict Management
• Timely Decision Making
• Total Work Systems
• Approachability
• Managerial Courage
• Intellectual Horsepower
• Written Communication
• Ethics and Values
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Process Management
• Drive for Results

• COMPUTER/OFFICE EQUIPMENT SKILLS
• SAP, MS Office and database programs
• Requires use of all general office equipment (e.g. fax, copier, telephone, etc.)
• CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
• Company issued Fork Truck Operator’s License
• Company issued Clamp Truck Operator’s License

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

SCHEDULE DEMANDS:

• General schedule is an 8-hour M-F assignment, however, employee must be willing to work alternate schedules occasionally; that may include early mornings, nights, and/or weekends and be punctual while doing so.
• Occasional overnight travel to include flying, driving, riding or by rail.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to stand, walk and sit
• Ability to twist neck and back and fingering frequently (34-66% of the time)
• Ability to balance, stoop, bend, squat, climb, twist, handle, feel, reach above shoulder level, reach at or below shoulder level, reach above 18”, reach to the floor, and kneel occasionally (1-33% of the time)
• Lifting up to 10 lbs occasionally
• Typing and computer skills are essential
• Ability to read, write, hear, see, speak and have agility
• Reading computer screen or other electronic devices
• Required to make independent decisions, apply reasoning and discern color
• Use of various hand and electrical tools and equipment
• Work in areas of fluctuating temperature and loud noises
• PPE required: Steel-toed/safety footwear, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Cut resistant Safety Gloves, Hair Net, Beard Net

Pay Range: $127,300.00 - $169,700.00

GPI’s Benefit Program

• Competitive Pay

• 401(k) w/employer matching

• Health & Welfare Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage

  • Short and Long-Term Disability

  • Life Insurance

  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

  • Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

• Various Voluntary benefits

• Adoption Assistance Program

• Employee Discount Programs

• Employee Assistance Program

• Tuition Assistance Program

• Paid Time Off + 11 paid company holidays each year

Applicants will be accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.

This role is incentive plan eligible. Additional information will be shared during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, knowledge, skills, past experience, job duties, geography, and business need, among other things.

Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email [email protected] . 

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