Director of Quality

Southgate
11800 Reeck Rd
Southgate, MI 48195, USA

AJM Packaging Corporation

Bonus:
Performance Based

Position Overview –

AJM Packaging Corporation, one of America’s leading manufacturers of sustainably sourced and produced paper products, including a broad range of paper plates, cups, bowls and bags, is currently conducting a nation‑wide search for a pre‑eminently qualified and exceptionally capable Director of Quality/HSE. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and domiciled at our flagship plant in Southgate, Michigan, this position will be wholly responsible for AJM’s Quality/HSE Management Systems (QMS) across seven (7) combined manufacturing/warehouse locations, three (3) stand‑alone distribution centers and our corporate headquarters in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

In addition to meeting the “Minimum Requirements” listed below, the successful candidate will likely, also, possess the critically important personal attributes and soft skills that so often separate winners from runners‑up and “also‑rans”. Our new Director will, therefore, likely distinguish themselves from other qualified candidates by their confident but, nevertheless, sincere and genuine demeanor, their “can do” attitude, unrelenting drive and ambition and, most importantly, their innate ability to command respect, inspire and lead.

Responsibilities & Duties –

• Provide leadership and management of AJM’s Quality Assurance & HSE activities. Formulate and drive manufacturing quality/safety excellence programs designed to assure quality/safety levels across all AJM’s products and the maintenance of the company's competitive position and profitability of its manufacturing operations. Lead but equally collaborate cross‑functionally with other department leaders and members of the senior management team to synchronize the implementation and achievement of company wide ISO certification and overall quality/safety goals.
• Develops and executes quality assurance/HSE related strategic plans to support the organization’s objectives and goals. Provide strategic long‑term as well as tactical short‑term leadership, direction, and supervision for all Quality Management Systems (QMS) programs, projects, initiatives, and personnel.
• Work cross‑functionally in teams (CFT) with procurement, materials management, logistics, engineering, HR and manufacturing using Advanced Quality Product Planning (APQP) tools, including, but not limited to DFM, DFSS, DFMEA, DVP&R, SPC and Control Plan Methodology, to develop new products (NPI) and establish related input, process and finished goods specifications.
• Work cross‑functionally with senior management and key stakeholders to design, develop, implement and maintain robust world‑class Quality Management Systems (QMS), including Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA), and HSE Systems, for all supply chain, administrative and manufacturing systems using the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach.
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert and leader in the attainment of company wide ISO compliance, policies and procedures and ultimate certification.
• Work cross‑functionally and collaboratively with senior management and key stakeholders to develop, approve and monitor annual Quality Management System/HSE budgets and take timely corrective and/or remedial action based on thorough review and analysis of monthly budget variances.
• Stay abreast of, and evaluate, new ideas and trends and adopt best‑in‑class Quality/Safety Management System concepts, processes, tools, and technology. Maintains strong and ongoing knowledge of government and industry quality/HSE codes and standards, including for food safety.
• Ensures corporate wide, continuous compliance with government, customer, and third‑party food safety certification requirements, including on‑site audits.
• Work cross‑functionally and collaboratively at all levels and with all functions to meet customers’ quality/HSE expectations and bring about cultural and other changes necessary for an effective Quality Management/HSE System to flourish under a Total Quality Management (TQM) approach.
• Receive, monitor and manage…