Quality Manager
Smurfit Westrock · Anderson, SC
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Quality
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Packaging
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management quality role at Smurfit Westrock (packaging) in Anderson, SC. Smurfit Westrock is committed to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, 5S, Root cause, ISO 9001, FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in South Carolina: typical posted base $95k–$120k.
Median of the low and high ends of 21 live postings that list pay, out of 46 quality engineer openings in South Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
South Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 45 other live quality postings in South Carolina.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $95k–$120k, from 19 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 74%
- Supplier quality 48%
- FMEA 43%
- ✓ Lean 41%
- New product launch 39%
- SPC 37%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for 5S, FDA / GMP, EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Smurfit Westrock
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Quality Manager at Smurfit Westrock in other locations
Smurfit Westrock lists this title in 6 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
Full description from Smurfit WestrockAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Perform all work in accordance with the highest standards of Smurfit Westrock safety policies and ensure all quality and food safety systems operate in full compliance.
- ◆Own and maintain site certifications including but not limited to ISO 9001, FSSC 22000 and any additional customer or regulatory certifications.
- ◆Act as primary site representative during external certification audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
- ◆Lead internal audit programs and ensure timely closure of corrective and preventive actions.
- ◆Maintain and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS) and Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
- ◆Drive root cause analysis for non-conformances, customer complaints, audit findings and systemic issues.
- ◆Ensure full compliance with Food Safety Plans (HACCP), verification and validation processes.
- ◆Oversee document control processes including SOPs, work instructions, specifications and record retention.
- ◆Monitor and report Quality KPIs to the General Manager and Divisional Quality leadership.
- ◆Support cross-functional teams (Production, Maintenance, Supply Chain, R&D) to ensure compliance is embedded in daily operations.
- ◆Ensure proper management of non-conforming materials and disposition processes.
- ◆Coordinate training programs related to quality standards, food safety, GMP and certification requirements.
- ◆Ensure readiness for unannounced audits and maintain continuous audit preparedness.
- ◆Partner with divisional Quality and Regulatory teams to align site practices with corporate standards and global best practices.
- ◆Support environmental and sustainability compliance
requirements
linked to certification standards where applicable.
- ✓Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Food Science, or related field.
- ✓Minimum 5 years of experience managing Quality Systems within a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Demonstrated experience leading ISO 9001 and Food Safety certification audits (FSSC 22000, SQF or similar).
- ✓Strong working knowledge of HACCP principles and regulatory compliance.
- ✓Certificate and demonstrated experience as internal auditor.
- ✓Experience within plastics processing, packaging, or food contact materials strongly preferred.
- ✓Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems and audit methodologies.
- ✓Deep understanding of Food Safety regulations and GMP requirements.
- ✓Knowledge of OSHA
requirements
including Machine Guarding and Lockout/Tag-Out procedures.
- ✓Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies (LEAN, 5S, Root Cause Analysis).
- ✓Knowledge of corporate and environmental policies.
- ✓Familiarity with customer-specific certification
requirements
and supplier qualification processes.
- ✓Strong leadership and influence skills.
- ✓Excellent audit management capability.
- ✓Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills.
- ✓Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- ✓Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- ✓Strong organizational and documentation management skills.
- ✓Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality reporting systems.
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Overview
Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging, operates in 40 countries with over 500 packaging converting plants and 62 paper mills. We offer an unrivalled portfolio of innovative packaging solutions, ranging from corrugated and consumer packaging to Bag-in-Box® packaging and point-of-sale displays.
As a trusted partner to businesses around the world, Smurfit Westrock is committed to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges.
With nine factories worldwide, Smurfit Westrock Bag-in-Box is the European leader in Bag-in-Box® solutions and its Vitop® tap is the world’s number one for wine taps.
Bag-in-Box® is a sustainable packaging choice for many sectors such as wine, juice, liquid egg, dairy and non-food applications such as engine oil and chemicals.
The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the overall Quality function at the Anderson site, including product quality, laboratory, customer complaints, internal and external audits, and quality support to Production. As part of this responsibility, the role owns the governance, maintenance and continuous improvement of the Quality and Food Safety Management Systems, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001, FSSC 22000 and customer-specific and regulatory requirements.
The position plays a key leadership role in protecting product integrity, regulatory compliance, and customer confidence.