Lead Quality Materials & Innovations Manager

British American Tobacco•Winston-Salem, NC

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reynolds American is seeking a Lead Quality Materials & Innovations Manager in Tobaccoville to lead materials quality in a manufacturing environment. The role oversees incoming ingredient and material sampling, inspection, testing, and disposition; escalates supplier-related issues to Supplier Quality and drives them to closure; and provides Quality oversight and sign-off for factory and operational assessments, product approvals, and process approvals. The position partners across functions to resolve issues, strengthen quality systems, and develop team capability. The manager leads quality programs and daily quality operations for assigned product categories, ensuring compliance, product integrity, and continuous improvement. The role leads investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventive action implementation; serves as Quality lead for factory trials, product qualifications, process changes, and operational assessments; monitors performance metrics and communicates risks and improvement opportunities to leadership. It also includes coaching and developing Quality team members, and supporting resource planning and departmental objectives. The position works closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Regulatory, Product Development, Procurement, Supplier Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and R&D. Reynolds American describes a workplace focused on collaboration, internal advancement, continuous improvement, learning, and valuing diverse perspectives. The posting includes a general summary of compensation and benefit plans; some benefits and allowances apply only to eligible employees or certain locations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Industrial Technology, or a related technical discipline.
3–5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment; experience in highly regulated industries is preferred.
Experience supporting manufacturing operations, materials quality, process improvement, or product innovation initiatives.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and communicate findings to stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools.
Experience participating in cross-functional project teams involving manufacturing equipment, process validation, product quality, or materials performance.
Knowledge of root cause analysis methodologies and continuous improvement practices.
Experience collaborating across functions, including Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and R&D.

Nice To Haves

Manufacturing experience in a highly regulated industry such as tobacco, food and beverage, medical devices, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or consumer packaged goods.

Responsibilities

Lead quality programs and daily quality operations for assigned product categories, ensuring compliance, product integrity, and continuous improvement.
Oversee incoming material quality activities, including sampling, inspection, testing, problem solving, disposition, and escalation of supplier-related nonconformances to Supplier Quality.
Drive investigations, root cause analysis, CAPA implementation, and resolution of quality issues, nonconformances, and customer complaints.
Serve as the Quality lead for factory trials, product qualifications, process changes, and operational assessments.
Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Regulatory, Product Development, Procurement, and Supplier Quality teams to achieve quality and business objectives.
Monitor quality performance metrics, identify risks, and implement corrective and preventive actions to ensure operational excellence.
Lead, coach, and develop Quality team members while fostering a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Communicate quality performance, compliance risks, and improvement opportunities to leadership while supporting resource planning and departmental objectives.

Benefits

401(k) plan with pre-tax and post-tax savings options; company matches eligible employee contributions up to 6% and makes an additional 3% contribution whether or not the employee participates.
Comprehensive health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
Health Savings Account start-up contribution for employees who elect the high-deductible health plan.
Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending accounts.
Employee assistance program with eight free counseling sessions per issue each calendar year for employees and dependents.
Company-paid life insurance and accidental death or dismemberment insurance.
Voluntary insurance options at group rates, including employee and dependent life insurance, AD&D, critical illness, accident coverage, disability buy-up, and auto and home insurance.
Tuition reimbursement and student loan support.
Dependent scholarship programs.
Free confidential personal financial counseling service.
On-site health centers and 24/7 fitness centers at certain company locations.
Charitable giving matching grants program.
Volunteer service opportunities.
Extensive training opportunities and access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs.
Company vehicle for eligible employees.
Mobile phone allowance for eligible employees.
Paid sick and personal time, vacation, nine company-recognized holidays, and two annual personal holidays.
Paid parental leave and temporary reduced work schedule opportunity.
Funeral leave, short-term disability leave, long-term disability leave, jury duty leave, military leave, released time for children's education, community outreach leave, and other paid leave as required by state or local law.