Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.
Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.
We are seeking a Quality Manager for our First Quality Tissue Midwest, LLC manufacturing facility located in Defiance, OH. This position will focus on the reduction of costs through prevention-based systems and measurements, as well as facilitate continuous improvement in the business systems. This position will be responsible for providing First Quality a competitive advantage in the marketplace and create value for our customers, along with providing customer confidence in First Quality’s ability to meet and exceed their expectations.
Primary responsibilities include:
Develop, implement, and maintain the Project Quality Management Plan (QMP).
Lead QA/QC programs for multiple or large-scale construction projects.
Ensure compliance with contract specifications, drawings, and regulatory requirements.
Conduct audits, inspections, and quality reviews of work in progress and completed work.
Oversee inspection and testing procedures (ITPs) and documentation processes.
Manage non-conformance reports (NCRs), corrective actions, and root cause analysis
Collaborate with project managers, superintendents, and subcontractors to resolve quality issues.
Interface with clients, third-party inspectors, and regulatory agencies.
Review submittals, shop drawings, and material approvals for compliance.
Monitor and report quality performance metrics to senior leadership.
Lead lessons-learned reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
The ideal candidate should possess the following:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering discipline and 3+ years in Quality or manufacturing engineering, (or) Bachelor’s degree in a scientific/technical field with 5+ years in Quality or manufacturing engineering disciplines.
Experience in technical problem solving, statistical analysis, and quality auditing preferred.
Experience in a lean manufacturing environment preferred
Knowledge of and familiarity with formal Quality System (ISO/QS/9000, GMP/QSR, etc.).
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
SAP knowledge preferred.
What We Offer You
We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:
Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
Paid time off (three-week minimum)
Medical, dental and vision starting day one
401(k) with employer match
Paid parental leave
Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
Bundle of joy benefit (years’ worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
Tuition assistance
Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
...and more!
First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.
First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering with 3+ years in Quality or manufacturing engineering, or Bachelor's in a scientific/technical field with 5+ years in Quality or manufacturing engineering disciplines.
- Knowledge of and familiarity with formal Quality Systems (ISO/QS/9000, GMP/QSR, etc.).
- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and manufacturing optimization techniques.
- Experience in technical problem solving, statistical analysis, and quality auditing.
- Experience in a lean manufacturing environment.
- SAP knowledge.
First Quality Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about First Quality and has not been reviewed or approved by First Quality.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Compensation is described as competitive across many hourly, technical, and engineering roles, with pay often characterized as good or fair for the job. Market-aligned base rates are reflected in recent postings and salary entries across multiple functions.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Quarterly bonuses, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities are commonly cited and meaningfully boost total earnings. Bonus eligibility appears to be a consistent feature in many roles.
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Parental & Family Support — The package includes paid parental leave, a year of free diapers for new parents, and employer-matched dependent care assistance. These family-focused additions complement core offerings and signal an emphasis on supporting caregivers.
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What We Do
First Quality was founded over 30 years ago and has grown to become a diversified family of companies with over 4,000 employees. Manufacturing Adult Incontinence Products, Feminine Hygiene Products, Baby Wipes, Adult Washcloths, and Consumer Paper Products, we serve institutional and retail markets throughout the world. Our trusted, household brands include Prevail®, Cuties®, Plenty®, Panda®, and Incognito® Our facilities operate independently to maintain focus on the markets they serve, but benefit from being a part of the First Quality family of companies. We may be spread out across 9 locations and 2 countries, but we are one team! With our focus on innovation, technology, and sustainability, we strive to create the best products that stand out and make a real difference in people’s lives without ever sacrificing quality for affordability. If advanced technology, innovative thinking, and a passion for challenging the status quo excite you, come join our team at First Quality! When you look at one of our job listings what you’ll find is an opportunity: to meet teams who challenge each other to improve, encounter leaders who empower you to experiment, and discover work that inspires you. As a new employee in our FQ family your training begins day one and continues throughout your career as you learn and grow with our organization. Be part of making things better – apply today to join our team at www.firstquality.com/join-us!
