Quality Control Manager

Job Title: Blown Film Extrusion Quality Manager

Department: Quality Assurance / Manufacturing Operations
Reports To: Chief Manufacturing Officer
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

The Blown Film Extrusion Quality Manager is responsible for leading, developing, and executing the quality assurance and control systems specifically within our blown film production lines. This role ensures that all manufactured plastic films meet rigid technical specifications, regulatory standards (such as ISO 9001, GMP, or SQF), and customer demands. The ideal candidate will blend strong technical expertise in polymer processing with proven leadership skills to eliminate film defects, reduce scrap, and champion a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management & Compliance

• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain and improve plant compliance with SQF, GMP, and ISO 9001 standards.
• Audit Leadership: Act as the primary point of contact for external customer audits and regulatory inspections.
• Standard Operating Procedures: Author, implement, and audit written standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the quality lab and extrusion floor.
• Documentation Control: Oversee the documentation of all quality testing metrics, certificate of analysis (COA) generation, and compliance paperwork.

Process Control & Defect Mitigation

• Defect Troubleshooting: Root out and resolve common blown film defects, including gauge variation, gels, carbon contamination, die buildup, and bubble instability.
• Lab Testing: Manage the quality testing lab, ensuring precise measurements of film gauge, tensile strength, dart impact, tear resistance, and heat-seal strength.
• Raw Material Verification: Audit inbound resins, masterbatches, and additives to ensure formulation specs match chemical requirements.
• Statistical Process Control: Implement and analyze Statistical Process Control (SPC) charting to track extrusion line capabilities and predict process drift.

Continuous Improvement & Corrective Action

• CAPA Management: Lead the Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) program to permanently resolve internal and external quality failures.
• Scrap Reduction: Partner with the Extrusion Production Manager to drive down extrusion and reprocessing scrap rates.
• Root Cause Analysis: Use formal methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, Six Sigma) to isolate the root cause of non-conformance.

Leadership & Training

• Team Supervision: Supervise, mentor, and schedule the quality technician and inspection staff across multiple shifts.
• Floor Training: Train extrusion operators and helper staff on visual inspection criteria and real-time quality check procedures.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Bridge communication between Sales, Product Innovation Engineers, Operations, and customers regarding film performance.

Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or a related technical field preferred. Equivalent manufacturing experience will be considered.
• Industry Experience: Minimum of 5 years of quality control experience directly within a blown film extrusion environment (experience with multi-layer or co-extrusion co-ex lines heavily preferred).
• Leadership Experience: Minimum of 2–3 years in a supervisory or management role within a manufacturing facility.

Technical Competencies

• Polymer Processing: Deep understanding of polymer behavior, resin blending, and the mechanics of blown film dies, air rings, and tower systems.
• Certifications: Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt is highly desirable.
• Machinery Familiarity: Familiarity with major automated extrusion control systems (e.g., Reifenhäuser, Kiefel, Hosokawa Alpine, Windmoeller & Hoelscher).

Core Soft Skills

• Problem Solving: Advanced analytical and troubleshooting skills to make rapid data-driven decisions on the production floor.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills needed to articulate technical issues to both operators and corporate clients.

Pay: $65,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Quality control: 5 years (Required)
• Management: 2 years (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Clinton, MS 39056: Relocate with an employer provided relocation package (Preferred)

Work Location: In person