Position Summary
The Corporate Quality Manager, Projects and Programs, is a senior individual contributor responsible for leading and supporting company-wide quality initiatives, strategic programs, and enterprise system deployments that strengthen operational performance, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.
This role partners closely with business leaders, operations teams, and functional stakeholders across the organization to develop, implement, and sustain quality-focused programs, including food safety and forestry, management systems, compliance initiatives, continuous improvement projects, and operational excellence efforts. The position serves as a subject matter expert and change agent, driving standardization, capability development, and quality culture across all business units.
This is a highly visible, enterprise-wide role with significant influence but no direct people management responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Enterprise Quality Programs
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of corporate quality programs across all business units.
- Manage strategic initiatives related to food safety and forestry certifications, regulatory compliance, supplier quality, and customer requirements.
- Establish standardized processes, procedures, and governance frameworks that support consistent execution across locations.
- Monitor program performance through key metrics and identify opportunities for improvement and risk reduction.
Systems Implementation and Deployment
- Serve as the corporate lead for quality-related systems implementations, upgrades, and enterprise deployments.
- Coordinate cross-functional project teams to ensure successful adoption of new technologies, processes, and quality management system capabilities.
- Develop implementation strategies, change management plans, and sustainability measures to achieve long-term program success.
- Collaborate with IT, operations, and business stakeholders to define requirements and optimize system functionality.
Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement
- Support enterprise Operational Excellence initiatives by applying continuous improvement methodologies and problem-solving tools.
- Facilitate process improvement projects that enhance quality, efficiency, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
- Lead root cause investigations and corrective action efforts for systemic quality issues.
- Drive standardization and best practice sharing across facilities and business units.
Training and Capability Development
- Design and deliver training programs related to quality systems, food safety requirements, certification standards, compliance expectations, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Develop training materials, guidance documents, and communication tools to support enterprise-wide deployment initiatives.
- Coach leaders and site personnel on quality principles, risk management, and process excellence.
- Promote a culture of quality, compliance, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
Certification and Compliance Support
- Support the management and maintenance of applicable certification programs, including forestry certifications, food safety standards, customer audits, and regulatory requirements.
- Assist facilities in audit preparation, corrective action development, and issue resolution.
- Monitor changing regulatory and industry requirements and recommend necessary program enhancements.
- Ensure organizational practices align with corporate standards and external certification requirements.
Strategic Leadership
- Act as a trusted advisor to corporate and operational leadership on quality-related matters.
- Lead highly complex, cross-functional projects with significant organizational impact.
- Influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization without direct authority.
- Identify emerging risks, trends, and opportunities that affect quality performance and operational effectiveness.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Quality, Engineering, Food Science, Forestry, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or related field required.
Experience
- 8-12+ years of progressive experience in quality management, food safety, operational excellence, compliance, certification management, or related functions.
- Experience leading enterprise-wide programs and complex cross-functional projects.
- Proven experience implementing and deploying management systems, business processes, or enterprise software solutions.
- Experience supporting or managing certification programs and regulatory compliance initiatives.
- Experience in manufacturing, packaging, consumer products, food production, forestry products, or related industries preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong understanding of Quality Management Systems, continuous improvement principles, and operational excellence methodologies.
- Knowledge of food safety standards, certification programs, auditing practices, and regulatory requirements.
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
- Strong facilitation, presentation, and training delivery capabilities.
- Ability to influence and drive changes across a large, geographically dispersed organization.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to travel as needed to support business operations and enterprise initiatives up to 60% [passport required].
Success Factors
The successful candidate will:
- Operate effectively as a senior enterprise-wide quality leader without direct supervisory responsibility.
- Build strong partnerships across corporate and operational functions.
- Drive adoption of new systems, processes, and standards.
- Deliver measurable improvements in quality performance, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
- Balance strategic thinking with practical execution.
- Serve as a catalyst for continuous improvement and organizational excellence.
Job Level: Senior Manager / Individual ContributorReporting Relationship: Director of ComplianceDirect Reports: NoneScope: Enterprise-wide responsibility across all business units, facilities, and functions.
Compensation:
A reasonable estimate of the current range is $110-115,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.
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