Production / Quality Manager

Company Statement

Graham Packaging is a people, planet and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Graham Packaging is part of your everyday life. For employees at Graham, our Blue Culture is part of their everyday lives, too. In other words, Blue is how we do things here. At Graham, we are united by a clear vision. We know our part and help those around us know theirs, encouraging one another to continuously improve. We create a safe, challenging environment to innovate by supporting creative ideas and new ways of thinking. We take the initiative to cultivate our individual growth and help others do the same, while keeping ourselves and one another accountable. And we actively promote cooperation, collaboration, integrity and respect across regions and teams to foster an engaged, diverse and connected workforce. We value our employees, and a Blue Culture allows for the most rewarding employee experience as part of the Graham family. Blue is how we feel about what we do—together—to create a better tomorrow. Working at Graham means you lead constructively with clear goals, use diverse thinking to drive excellence, accountability, innovation, as well as demonstrating collaboration, embracing learning, and taking action for continuous improvement and growth.

Overview

The Production & Quality Manager serves as a key member of the plant leadership team and is accountable for overall production performance, product quality, workforce effectiveness, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, safety performance, and continuous improvement. This role ensures products are manufactured efficiently, safely, and in accordance with all customer and company quality standards while driving sustainable operational results.

 

 

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

• Understands, follows, and enforces all established safety, health, quality, GMP, and Company policies, procedures, and recognized practices.
• Directs and coordinates production activities to ensure customer requirements are met with respect to safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Leads production and quality personnel, including hiring, training, performance management, recognition, disciplinary actions, attendance management, and employee development.
• Executes production schedules and staffing plans to maximize efficiency, product quality, customer service, and facility utilization.
• Manages temporary staffing levels and workforce resources to achieve plant productivity and labor efficiency objectives.
• Develops, implements, and maintains operating procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), inspection processes, process controls, and quality systems required to support safe and effective plant operations.
• Translates customer specifications and requirements into manufacturing and quality standards, identifying critical control points, inspection methods, and process improvements.
• Oversees customer complaint investigations, corrective actions, and quality improvement initiatives to reduce defects and improve customer satisfaction.
• Defines, implements, and monitors compliance programs related to GMPs, sanitation standards, customer requirements, certifications, audits, and regulatory expectations.
• Leads continuous improvement efforts focused on safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, waste reduction, and defect elimination.
• Coordinates production-related projects, including safety programs, housekeeping initiatives, process improvements, CQI activities, regrind programs, and special assignments.
• Oversees automatic inspection systems, process monitoring tools, and quality control systems to ensure consistent product performance.
• Maintains appropriate inventory levels of production supplies to support operational requirements.
• Coordinates with Maintenance to ensure preventive maintenance activities are planned and executed to maximize equipment reliability and uptime.
• Collaborates with Engineering, Sales, Customer Service, Logistics, and suppliers to ensure customer requirements are met and operational objectives are achieved.
• Communicates production performance, quality metrics, customer issues, and operational results to management, employees, and other stakeholders.
• Assists with physical inventories in accordance with corporate procedures.
• Conducts product trials, process validations, and research and development activities related to manufacturing and packaging performance.
• May lead special projects supporting plant, business unit, or corporate objectives.
• 0-25% travel may be required.

 

 

Qualifications

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Operations Management, Business, or a related field and/or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, quality management, or a related production environment preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams, driving performance, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.

 

Required Skills and Competencies

• Ability to maintain regular, predictable, and punctual attendance.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate across all levels of the organization and with external customers and suppliers.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency in computer systems and standard business software applications.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure while meeting deadlines and maintaining a positive, professional attitude.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to build relationships across departments and drive team results.
• Commitment to safety, quality, customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

 

 

 

 

Compensation Statement

The expected salary range for the position described in this posting is made in accordance with the legal mandates of certain jurisdictions within the United States. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on individual qualifications and experience.

Benefits Statement

Benefits include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in the company’s 401K Employee Saving Plan and may participate in its Employee Wellness Program. Employees will also receive paid time off in accordance with company policy and state law requirements.

EEO Disclaimer

Graham Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.