Quality - Quality Specialist

Position Summary

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Quality Specialist at the plant level is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the plant’s Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with ISO 9001:2015 standards. This role ensures regulatory and customer requirements are met, leads internal and external audits, drives process improvements, and serves as the technical resource for specialized quality areas. The CI Quality Specialist promotes a culture of quality and continuous improvement, facilitates effective communication, and supports operational excellence within the printing and binding manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

ISO & Quality Management System (QMS)

• Maintain a thorough understanding of ISO 9001:2015 standards; translate requirements into plant operations and workflows.
• Own and communicate the Plant's Quality Policy; ensure organizational roles, responsibilities, and processes are clearly defined and understood.
• Serve as the primary resource and subject matter expert for specialized quality areas such as GMP, forestry, materials safety, compliance, and management of change at the plant level.
• Ownership of high level plant documents
• Analyze QMS data to identify gaps, trends, and improvement opportunities; develop and implement solutions to enhance the overall quality system.
• Lead efforts to configure, update, and optimize the QMS and related applications, incorporating input from site teams to support new app implementation and system upgrades.
• Maintain security within the QMS to restrict configuration and testing, ensuring system integrity and consistent user access across departments.
• Lead QMS team meetings and projects focused on measuring, analyzing, sustaining, and improving system performance.
• Train team members on QMS use, developing and documenting training materials and system procedures.
• Prepare data, reports, and visual aids for management reviews and other key meetings.
• Serve as a liaison between customers, suppliers, sales, and internal operations to ensure clear communication of quality expectations and standards.
• Participate in resolution of customer complaints and help negotiate appropriate corrective actions.
  
  

Auditing & Assessment

• Lead ISO and internal audits across the plant, acting as the primary lead auditor for ISO, GMP, forestry, and compliance audits.
• Facilitate external audits, including certification and regulatory assessments.
• Maintain audit schedules, prepare audit documentation, and track corrective actions.
• Support external and internal assessment processes to ensure ongoing compliance.
  
  

Data Analysis & Management Review

• Collect, interpret, and analyze process performance data to identify areas for improvement.
• Prepare and present data for quarterly Management Review meetings, including trend analysis and improvement initiatives.
• Lead the Management Review process, including creating agendas, facilitating meetings, and following up on action items.
  
  

Operational & Process Management

• Perform document control duties specifically for plant-level procedures, work instructions, and records.
• Oversee calibration activities for plant equipment such as printing presses, binding machinery, finishing tools, and measurement devices.
• Customize and configure the QMS and related apps based on input from site teams, supporting new technology integrations and process improvements.
• Lead projects and initiatives aimed at measuring, analyzing, sustaining, and improving system performance and process effectiveness.
• Ensure infrastructure and organizational knowledge are sufficient to support quality objectives.
  
  

Customer & Regulatory Compliance

• Own and manage processes related to customer property, traceability, product preservation, and handling of customer-supplied materials.
• Ensure compliance with relevant statutory, regulatory, and industry standards, including CPSIA, forestry, security, and GMP.
• Support the annual audits of sustainability, forestry, and security compliance.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in special projects, process improvement initiatives, and cross-site collaborations.
• Travel as needed to other sites or for audit support.
• Continuously work to improve the overall effectiveness of the QMS and foster a quality-focused culture.