Senior Product Quality Manager

Where you will work

Augusta houses Clearwater Papers largest paperboard facility and is home to more than 600 team members. Together our team makes paperboard used in products across the United States including food packaging plates cups and more. With nearly 65 years of operation the mill spans 3000 acres and runs two paper machines that collectively produce up to 1940 tons per day.

Augusta is known worldwide for hosting The Masters golf tournament but the city offers so much more. Located on the Savannah River on Georgias eastern border Augusta blends outdoor recreation with a vibrant arts and cultural scene. Explore the river walk hike at the nearby wetlands or the numerous downtown museums and restaurants.

Families benefit from strong public schools and nearby universities including Augusta Universityhome to Georgias only dental school and a nationally recognized medical collegeplus technical colleges offering career-focused programs.

What you will do

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.

Quality Leadership & Strategy

• 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.

Quality Management Systems

• 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
• 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.

Process and Product Quality Control

• 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.

Customer Quality & Complaint Management

• 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.

Product Development & Change Management

• 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.

Laboratory & Testing Oversight

• 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.

Continuous Improvement

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.

Team Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• 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.

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to influence across functions without direct authority
• Comfortable making data-based decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Clear communicator with both technical and non-technical audiences
• Customer-focused mindset with strong business acumen
• Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal); leading and presenting complex materials for various audiences.

What you will need

To be successful in this position we are looking for candidates with the following:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering Pulp & Paper Science Chemistry Materials Science or a related technical discipline.
• Advanced degree preferred but not required.
• Minimum 710 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.
• Travel: 10%

Total Rewards Details

We prioritize an exceptional workplace experience offering a comprehensive total reward package. Compensation ranges are estimates based on market data. Actual offers account for internal equity and the candidates job-related knowledge skills education and experience. Benefits including medical dental vision and more generally begin after 30 days. Our paid time off includes vacation days personal days and company holidays. For more on our compensation philosophy please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at .

Clearwater Paper will not offer sponsorship for employment-based visa status (including but not limited to H-1B visa status and other employment-based nonimmigrant visas) for this position. Accordingly all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and must not require Clearwater Papers sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

#ClearwaterPaper #Augusta

This role will be open for a minimum of 2 weeks or at the point a successful candidate is selected.

Required Experience:

Manager