Director of Quality - AJM Packaging Corporation

Director of Quality & Health, Safety & Environment

AJM Packaging Corporation

Metropolitan Detroit Area

Salary: $175,000 - $225,000

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 companywide 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 companywide 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 all customer complaints, OSHA investigations, and all related activities, including, but not limited to initial contact, information gathering, sample requests, product testing and analysis and all follow-up communications, initiatives and documentation, including Corrective Action Preventative Action (CAPA), Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA) and revised Work Instructions and/or Control Plan Methodology.
• Establish, monitor, and share departmental KPI’s using best-in-class processes and technology solutions to inform management and key stakeholders of all adverse developments and overall performance and progress against goals and objectives.
• Schedule and oversee all third party GMP and Social, Safety & Environmental compliance audits.
• Establish and oversees customer scorecard tracking metrics including development and oversight of corrective/preventative action systems across all plants.
• Ensure uniform product specifications and quality assurance methodologies are in use across the business and plants.
• Applies Six Sigma, and lean manufacturing methods to evaluate and improve the current quality assurance systems and processes.
• Oversees the development and implementation of quality assurance/HSE training programs to key personnel in conjunction with regional and local managers.
• Hires, develops, and supervises all Quality Management/HSE personnel. Establishes all team member KPI’s and related metrics, continually measures and evaluates team member performance, provides feedback on progress against goals and objectives and participates in, contributes to, and/or approves all performance reviews, improvement plans (PIP), and organizational changes.

Minimum Requirements –

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Business, Engineering, Packaging, Materials Management, or related field from an accredited four (4) year college or equivalent combination of on-the-job training, experience, professional development, and education. A graduate degree preferred but not required.
• 12-15 years of progressive Quality Control, Quality Assurance and Quality/HSE Management experience in fast paced, high volume manufacturing or similarly challenging environments, including at least five (5) years in leadership roles with multi-site responsibilities. Complimentary related experience, training, education and/or certification in manufacturing, engineering, purchasing, logistics and materials and/or business management a definite plus. CQE and Lean certification desirable.
• Extensive prior experience in, and responsibility for, development, implementation and management of robust Quality Management/HSE Systems using the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach and the requisite organizational, cultural and process related changes needed for success.
• Working knowledge of, and “hands-on” experience with alternative Quality Management System (QMS) tools and metrics, including, by way of example only, Lean Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen, VSM, FMEA, CAPA, SPC, APQP, PPAP, RCA, PDCA, DMAIC and ISO standards.
• Results-driven self-starter able to work independently with minimal assistance and direction to make decisions, achieve corporate goals and objectives and, most importantly, inspire and lead.
• Decisive action-oriented leader, creative and resourceful problem solver, fair and consistent manager, does what is best, not what is popular.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills, able to relate to, and work with, people from all occupations either one-on-one, in groups or in teams.
• Strong management, organizational and administrative skills, able to multi-task and stay calm and focused under pressure.
• Strong and demonstrated experience in Quality/HSE leadership positions.
• Intermediate to advanced level Microsoft Office 365 Skills (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Ability to travel, as necessary and appropriately, to company, vendor, and other locations to lead, manage staff and personally participate in various job-related activities.

Benefits –

At AJM, our comprehensive “Cafeteria Benefits Plan” truly sets us apart from the competition.  Under the cafeteria plan you will receive a package of company paid medical, dental, optical, life and disability insurance coverage and be able to adjust the proportions spent on each coverage/benefit to suit your personal requirements and preferences.  You can even redirect a portion of the total spend to pay for homeowners, car and pet insurance premiums purchased at group rates.  Lastly, utilizing the Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you will be able to contribute a portion of your annual earnings on a pre-tax basis to pay for child and dependent care and medical, dental and optical insurance co-pays and deductibles.

Summary of Benefits –

• Medical Insurance (BCBS)
• Dental Insurance
• Optical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Cafeteria Benefits Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Child & Dependent Care Savings Account
• 401 K Retirement Plan (with Safe Harbor Company Match)
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Assistance/Wellness Program
• Paid Vacations
• Paid Holiday
• Paid Sick & Personal Time
• Professional Development Program (AJM University)

About Us –

AJM was originally founded as a distributor of commercial paper, plastic and foil packaging products and related cleaning, janitorial and order processing supplies and equipment by three (3) Detroit area brothers operating out of a small warehouse in Detroit’s Eastern Market.  In 1957 they built and moved into slightly larger quarters on Detroit’s southwest side, where, for the very first time, they began manufacturing their own products.   Over the ensuing decades, AJM gradually evolved from its broadline distributor beginnings into a major paper products manufacturer, today employing nearly 3,000 people and operating eight (8) manufacturing and five (5) warehouse/distribution facilities strategically located throughout the United States.

Some things have undoubtedly changed since AJM was founded, but the company’s commitment to its customers and employees, alike, has not wavered and is deeply embedded in its DNA.  So, too, is the founding brothers’ entrepreneurial spirit, “can do” attitude and singular focus on the value proposition that has fueled the company’s success from the very beginning.  We’re still family owned and operated, still manufacturing our products in the good old USA and still providing our customers with the same reliable service and quality products they’ve come to expect from AJM for more than 75 years now.

Career Development –

At AJM, we realize we will only go as far as our employees can take us and, for that reason, we invest millions of dollars every year on both classroom and on-the-job training to develop our employees’ skills and promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement.  There are no barriers to impede your progress here and no ceilings to halt your advance.  You’ll control your own destiny, and we will help you reach your full potential with both in-house development programs and tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate level college studies.  Join our team and see where your AJM journey takes you!

For More Information –

Visit our website at www.ajmpack.com or call (833) 562-7256

Equal Employment Opportunities –

AJM Packaging Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, or other legally protected status.