Senior Product Quality Manager

Clearwater Paper Corporation•Augusta, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Product Quality Manager is responsible for leading and continuously improving the quality systems, processes, and culture within the Augusta integrated pulp and paper mill that produces Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) paper and board. This role ensures that all products meet internal standards, customer specifications, and applicable regulatory and certification requirements while supporting operational excellence, cost control, and customer satisfaction. The Sr. Product Quality Manager partners closely with Operations, Engineering, EHS, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and Sales to embed quality into pulp production, bleaching, papermaking, coating, calendaring, and finishing operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Pulp & Paper Science, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in quality, technical, or manufacturing roles within pulp and paper or a highly regulated continuous process industry.
Demonstrated experience in an integrated pulp and paper mill environment strongly preferred.
Proven experience with coated paper or SBS paperboard is highly desirable.
Prior people leadership experience required.
Strong understanding of: Pulping and bleaching processes, Papermaking and coating operations, Paper and paperboard testing methods (TAPPI/ISO), Statistical process control and data analysis.
Working knowledge of fiber certification and food-contact packaging requirements.
Ability to interpret customer specifications and translate them into operational controls.
High speed manufacturing environment, sustained exposure to high frequency noises, multiple hours standing, walking on concrete surfaces.
Personal Protective Equipment required in mill environment.
Dirt, noise, odor, and temperature extremes.
Climbing stairs, ladders, and scaffolding.
Exposure to hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing process.
Currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and must not require Clearwater Paper's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred but not required.
Demonstrated experience in an integrated pulp and paper mill environment strongly preferred.
Proven experience with coated paper or SBS paperboard is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead the mill Quality function, setting clear expectations, priorities, and performance objectives aligned with mill and company goals.
Drive a culture of built-in quality rather than inspection-based quality.
Serve as the mill subject-matter expert for SBS product quality, customer requirements, and quality-related risk.
Responsible for process control resources, fostering the ability to routinely evaluate systems and configurations within system standards for additions or enhancements to control systems and servers. This may include a baseline understanding and ability to troubleshoot Honeywell TDC 3000, Honeywell Experion PKS and Allen-Bradley PLC ladder logic.
Develop, implement, and maintain the mill Quality and Food Safety Management Systems, aligning with ISO 9001, FSC®, PEFC™, or other fiber certification programs, FSSC 22000 Food Safety standard, and Product regulatory compliance (FDA, BfR, EU and other domestic and international standards).
Ensure robust document control, specifications, procedures, and records management.
Lead internal and external quality and certification audits and ensure timely closure of findings.
Oversee quality control throughout the integrated process: Pulping, bleaching, and chemical quality; Wet-end chemistry and furnish control; Paper machine operations (basis weight, caliper, moisture, formation); Coating, surface properties, and print performance; Finishing, sheeting, and roll quality.
Ensure effective use of statistical process control (SPC), control charts, and trend analysis.
Partner with operations and engineering to reduce variability, defects, waste, and off-grade production.
Own the customer complaint process from intake through root cause analysis and corrective action.
Interface directly with customers, sales, and technical service on quality-related issues.
Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving tools (e.g., 5-Why, Fishbone, DMAIC).
Track and report customer satisfaction metrics, claims, and cost of poor quality.
Support new product development, grade development, and customer trials.
Participate in Management of Change (MOC) for raw materials, chemicals, equipment, and process changes.
Validate product quality, specifications, and risk assessments prior to commercialization.
Ensure accurate, reliable laboratory testing in accordance with TAPPI, ISO, and customer methods.
Oversee calibration, sample handling, test reproducibility, and data integrity.
Drive continuous improvement in laboratory efficiency, safety, and capability.
Lead or support quality-related continuous improvement initiatives.
Use data-driven decision-making to prioritize improvement opportunities.
Reduce quality-related costs, including claims, rework, waste, and downtime.
Recruit, develop, and coach quality professionals and laboratory personnel.
Provide quality training for operations, maintenance, and technical staff.
Work closely with EHS to ensure product quality controls support safe and compliant operations.