Technical Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager

Technical, Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager

Reports To: General Manager

Department: Operations

Location: Prewitt NM.

The Technical, Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading the mill's technical performance, product quality, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role provides the technical leadership necessary to safely maximize production, improve reliability, reduce manufacturing costs, and consistently meet customer quality expectations while partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Environmental, and Supply Chain

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for recycled containerboard manufacturing.
• Own the mill Quality Management System and drive customer satisfaction.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Optimize fiber utilization, machine efficiency, yield, energy and water consumption.
• Lead root cause investigations using RCFA, 5-Why, Fishbone, and Six Sigma tools.
• Develop process standards, SOPs and operator technical capability.
• Manage supplier technical performance, especially process chemicals.
• Develop manufacturing dashboards and KPI reporting.
• Provide technical leadership for capital projects from design through startup.
• Partner cross-functionally to improve safety, quality, productivity and cost.

Leadership Expectations

• Lead through influence and technical credibility.
• Develop future technical leaders.
• Promote accountability and data-driven decision making.
• Champion operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Key Performance Indicators

• Safety performance and process safety.
• Customer complaints and first-pass quality.
• OEE, production rate and yield.
• Fiber, chemical, steam, energy and water cost per ton.
• Continuous improvement savings and project completion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Paper Science or related discipline.
• 10+ years of papermaking experience.
• 5+ years in technical/process leadership.
• Strong knowledge of recycled containerboard manufacturing.
• Experience with DCS/QCS systems and statistical process control.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt.
• Capital project leadership experience.
• TAPPI standards knowledge.

Critical Competencies

• Papermaking expertise
• Process engineering
• Wet-end chemistry
• Quality systems
• Leadership and coaching
• Analytical problem solving
• Change management
• Operational excellence

Success Profile

Within 12–18 months, the incumbent will improve OEE, reduce customer complaints, lower manufacturing costs, strengthen technical capability across the mill, and become the General Manager's principal advisor on technical strategy, quality and continuous improvement.

McKinley Paper and Packaging Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.