Quality Assurance Lead

Central is an industry leader in performance-driven marketing-at-retail solutions; specializing in both packaging and point-of-purchase (POP) display with clients across North America. Our dynamic company offers employees a collaborative, client-focused and business casual workplace with excellent benefits, and a unique supportive family culture.

If you embody integrity, teamwork, passionate excellence, and you enjoy working in a high-performing and high-energy environment, we are currently recruiting a highly motivated individual for the role of Quality Assurance Lead.

**Job Summary**:

- As the Quality Assurance Lead, you will be responsible for owning and managing the Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and internal processes across various businesses within TCG-HO and PTI. Your role will involve collaborating with operations, sales, project management, and clients to maintain and improve quality standards. Using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, you will investigate and resolve internal and external quality complaints, oversee critical quality defects, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Key Responsibilities:

- Lead the NCR (Non-Conformance Report) Process, including logging, monitoring, and monthly reporting.
- Investigate and resolve internal and external quality complaints regarding defects using Lean/Six Sigma methodology and root cause analysis as applicable to materials, process or finished products.
- Manage the Quality Management System and ensure compliance with ISO 9001:2015 standards.
- Lead ISO (re)certification processes, including audits, employee training, system management and maintenance.
- Oversee aspects of the QMS such as Pest Control, equipment calibrations, Mock Recalls, and facilitating any applicable audits or reviews.
- Support client visits and concerns from a quality perspective and issue Compliance Letters as needed.
- Manage the FSC compliance program for external audits, internal audits, and training.
- Support SQF Practitioner in all aspects of the SQF program for HO.
- Assist / Lead SQF (re)certification processes, including audits, employee training, and system management for HO.
- Drive operations accountabilities by implementing best-in-class standards and processes.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance quality, efficiency, and waste optimization.
- Generate and analyze quality data and reports on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary.

**Essential Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Ensure compliance with customer, ISO, and FSC regulatory requirements and company policies.
- Lead initiatives to address internal quality issues and customer complaints using Lean/Six Sigma methodology.
- Review and document quality procedures and changes, ensuring regulatory compliance. Coordinate and execute internal, customer, supplier, and regulatory audits.
- Deliver executive-level presentations for customers and internal stakeholders.
- Collaborate with operations to improve product quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Coordinate customer incident reviews and the NCR process.
- Gather and interpret performance data to drive improvement initiatives.
- Provide quality data reporting to facility and regional leadership.
- Utilize enterprise technology to analyze quality complaints and track corrective actions.
- Ensure team members adhere to quality standards through coaching, training, and audits.
- Lead ISO, and FSC certification processes and maintenance.
- Support SQF Practitioner in SQF system compliance for HO.
- Demonstrate ability to perform tasks in a fast-paced environment with accuracy.
- Ensure a safety-oriented environment for all team members, vendors, and customers.
- Provide quality assurance and project participation support to the management team.
- Travel between the two locations as needed (The Central Group and Packaging Technologies Inc).
- Other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications Required**:

- 5+ years of quality experience in a manufacturing setting, preferably in paper or corrugated environments.
- University degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Process Engineering, or related field.
- Professional training and certifications in ISO management including ISO Auditor.
- Professional training and certification in FSC preferred.
- SQF knowledge and trained SQF Practitioner is an asset.
- HACCP Certification as asset.
- Strong analytical and statistical skills.
- Proven problem-solving ability with attention to detail.
- Experience developing and implementing quality processes.
- Strong time management, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong presentation skills for training and reporting.
- Proficiency in Microsoft programs suite.

**Salary: $70,000**

About The Central Group of Companies:
The Central Group of Companies is a Platin