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 Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations for our First Quality Baby Products, LLC location in Macon, GA. This position will have operational oversight for the Macon, GA production facility and will be responsible for strategic manufacturing operations leadership for the site. The role will collaborate with Division and site leadership to drive the long-range strategic planning process, including production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation. The role will collaborate with the key business unit partners to drive actions that have a favorable impact on the P&L while focusing on long-term growth. Additionally, the role is responsible for driving a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Primary responsibilities include:
Foster a culture of health, safety, and quality.
Develop, implement, and monitor day-to-day operational systems and processes to provide visibility into the goals, progress, and obstacles of key initiatives.
Manage and mentor staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Drive continuous improvement of manufacturing processes and management methods to generate improved plant performance, workflow optimization, yields and efficiencies, and budget commitments.
Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that align with the company’s overall goals and objectives.
Implement and enforce quality control processes to ensure products meet or exceed customer expectations.
Monitor production processes to ensure efficiency, productivity, and profitability targets are consistently met or exceeded.
Identify areas for process improvement and implement strategies to optimize production workflows and reduce costs.
Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless coordination and communication throughout the manufacturing process.
Direct, inspire and hold leaders accountable to ensure engagement of all functional areas to drive business performance and deliver results.
Ensure adherence to state and federal regulations regarding all business components.
Manage operations in support of business growth by ensuring the introduction of new equipment and systems meet safety, quality, cost, consumer, customer, and security requirements.
Drive recruiting, training and retention efforts in collaboration with Human Resources to ensure training, employee development, and work systems enable all employees to maximize their contribution to business success.
Consult with and support sales and product development resources to ensure customer and consumer requirements are met or exceeded.
The ideal candidate should possess the following:
A strong leader as well as technical problem solver of production processes. This person will be expected to meet high expectations and demonstrate a strong sense of urgency, strive for collaboration but dictate when necessary while possessing unquestioned integrity. Characteristics include:
Strong demonstrated leadership, communications, and analytical skills.
Highly collaborative and team oriented.
Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision, effectively work in a fast-paced environment, strong decision-making skills.
Understanding and experience with customer service & an appreciation for the importance of reliable and consistent customer service.
Ability to influence and create partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to influence, interface and gain credibility across a wide range of levels.
Understand and be able to interpret and analyze financial and operating statements.
Strong problem solver with excellent communication skills to speak clearly and persuasively.
Ability to effectively prioritize, use time efficiently, and develop realistic action plans.
Ability to identify, motivate, mentor, and develop top talent.
A working manager willing to “roll up the sleeves” to develop best-in-class operational processes.
Adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Attention to detail combined with tact and diplomacy.
Inspires trust, engagement and respect at all levels of the company.
Strong Change Management leader that motivates the team while driving necessary business/organizational restructuring activities.
Some travel required.
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 $3750)
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
- Proven leadership in manufacturing operations and team management
- Experience driving continuous improvement and process optimization
- Strong knowledge of quality control and regulatory compliance in manufacturing
- Ability to develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned to business goals
- Experience with production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation
- Financial acumen to interpret and analyze P&L and operating statements
- Demonstrated change management and organizational restructuring leadership
- Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder influence skills
- Track record recruiting, training, and developing manufacturing talent
- Hands-on, working manager mindset willing to support shop-floor activities
- Attention to detail, problem-solving, and decision-making in fast-paced environments
- Willingness to travel as needed
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.
First Quality Insights
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!
