Smurfit WestRock, the global leader in paper-based packaging, is offering opportunities at our Belfast-based plant in Mallusk, Newtownabbey. The Belfast plant is the largest pharmaceutical packaging facility in Ireland and has been in existence for over 150 years. We offer secure full-time employment with excellent career development opportunities, a highly competitive salary, and strong employee incentives. The Belfast site has an annual turnover of more than£40 million and employs 170 full-time staff. We are seeking to fill the role: Quality Manager Job Purpose The role focuses on compliance, customers, and continuous improvement activities to create a total quality culture and reduce quality costs in line with best practice procedures. To protect and please the customer by ensuring supply of the highest quality product Working with production and support functions to maintain and improve our quality systems and adherence to operational best practice thus guaranteeing compliance to external and internal standards To drive improvement activities to support quality and financial performance leading key improvement projects evolving through customer requirements, legislative changes, and amendments to accredited standards to ensure compliance with standards and pending accreditation audits Draft, review and implement changes to our current quality systems, standard operating procedures, and policies to satisfy customer and third-party requirements Job Responsibilities/Key accountabilities: Key Responsibilities - Quality Support the Cluster Manager and site Leadership team in quality governance Lead and support meetings as required and provide information and analysis as required to support the business in understanding KPIs and decision making Review the quality system as appropriate to ensure full compliance with customer and company best practice guidelines and maximize effectiveness of production contributing to consistent operational performance and standards whilst ensuring conformance to the relevant accreditation standards for the site and customers Provide authoritative guidance and advice on all aspects of quality to the site management team and employees; train and coach employees improving knowledge and skills in quality improvement Recruit, develop, motivate, and manage a Quality team (QA/QC) that optimises quality operations and is flexible in the support it offers the business, meeting current and future needs Establish and develop professional working relationships with customers, providing a technical service and reference point as required to support the companys products and reputation as a quality supplier Manage the customer complaint procedure, facilitate the investigation of quality problems, faults, and non-conformances with production teams; manage corrective and preventative problems to ensure quality standards are maintained. Initiate and control robust investigations to provide corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and support the complaints handling process and participate in implementing improvement actions to prevent re-occurring issues. The facilitation of customer facing activities and communications including customer visits, responses, and preparation of information whilst leading site audit activities (external body, internal and customer) Lead quality initiatives and focus groups to support knowledge and understanding of all operatives and grow awareness of quality issues to improve quality Promote a total quality philosophy at all levels developing a culture of right first time and continuous improvement Develop an Integrated Quality Management System including quality, environment and health and safety Key Responsibilities Business Improvement Lead improvements to enhance quality system and ensure optimum process in place to meet customer specifications whilst maximising production Review amendments to standards and ensure compliance with accreditation bodies Support introduction of new equipment on site and validation processes to meet safety and customer expectations Take on other projects and responsibilities as required. Contribute ideas and participate in ongoing business improvement initiatives to reduce overall operating costs, improve margin, and provide input into the strategy and operations of the site Key Responsibilities Other Produce data and present reports for site, customers and corporate as required Identify improvement projects and continuous improvement initiatives in line with site and corporate requirements to improve quality and safety and work with colleagues to implement these Support senior leadership team in introducing systems and procedures to enhance operating effectiveness and efficiencies Deliver GMP, Quality and FSC training to all employees as required Take on other projects and responsibilities as required Knowledge, Skills, Experience Minimum 5 years experience in a Quality role at a senior or management level Working and audit knowledge relevant accredited standards Experience in a manufacturing/production environment ideally with experience and knowledge of Industry standards and guidelines Demonstrable experience of leading change and implementing continuous improvement processes. Supervisory experience Demonstrable experience of validating new equipment and processes Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Project management and problem-solving skills such as 6 Sigma, or another recognised Business Improvement Technique Root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques Customer relations skills Skilled in information handling, analysis, and presentation Competent in using Microsoft Office packages Competencies: People Management Leadership & Vision Ability to inspire a team with a clear vision and purpose Coaching & Developing people The ability to teach operational skills to others and mentor/coach accordingly Managing performance Ability to monitor and evaluate performance and take appropriate action. Personal Competencies Communication Ability to convey ideas and decisions to internal and external customers Determination Ability to overcome obstacles Influence/Persuasiveness Ability to influence and inspire others to act Managing the Business Organisation The ability to judge situations accurately and make sound operational decisions to deliver results on time Continuous Improvement The ability to continually monitor and review current working practices and make the best use of resources to improve organisational results Benefits Free onsite parking. Enhanced pension contributions. 195 hours flexible holiday allowance, plus 8 annual bank holidays Cycle to work scheme Company sponsored education opportunities. Employee perks and discount platform. Employee Assistance Programme Long service awards Reward and recognition initiatives. Skills: Quality auditing Quality audit Manage quality Internal Auditing Management Quality Systems CAPA Supplier Quality