Operations Manager Three Jobs in Shawano, WI (NOW HIRING)

THE COMPANY                                                                                  

Little Rapids Corporation (LRC) is a specialty paper manufacturer and converter of paper, film, cotton, and nonwoven materials. The company's headquarters is in Green Bay and is privately held with annual sales of over $200 million and 450 employees at three Wisconsin locations. The business has two divisions that sell a wide variety of products in the healthcare, beauty, flexographic printing, and specialty paper markets. Rapids Green Bay supplies printed film, paper, and nonwovens. Rapids Shawano has three paper machines that manufacture tissue, machine glazed, and wet crepe paper.  Graham Professional manufactures and sells one-time use products into the healthcare and beauty markets through a network of national and regional distributors. 

With its family ownership dating back to 1947, the company is guided by a strong and positive culture. LRC's purpose is remarkably simple: to bring together all their people's talents and energies to create an outstanding organization that delivers true value to their customers. The four core values of the business are lived out by ownership and top leadership and serve as a guide to all interactions, behavior, expectations, and strategic initiatives. These values are:

• Care: Take Care of One Another & Always Be Transparent
• Act: Dream Big, Think Big, Act Big, Create Contagious Energy
• Learn: Improve Every Day while Being Humble
• Serve: Do Great Things & Be Easy to Work With

Position Summary:

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the company's Quality Management System (QMS), sustainability initiatives, regulatory compliance programs, and continuous improvement efforts across multiple paper manufacturing sites. This role drives quality performance, supports operational excellence, and ensures compliance with customer, industry, and certification standards while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS), including quality policies, standards, procedures, and document control systems.
• Manage sustainability programs and track progress toward energy, water, waste, and certification goals across all facilities.
• Monitor and report quality and sustainability KPIs, driving corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives with operations teams.
• Lead internal and external audits and ensure compliance with ISO, FSC, SFI, FDA, HACCP, and other regulatory or customer requirements.
• Serve as the primary liaison for customer quality concerns, complaints, audits, and corrective action responses.
• Oversee supplier and external quality alignment to ensure consistent product and process performance.
• Maintain SOPs, specifications, work instructions, compliance training records, and KPI dashboards to support operational effectiveness.
• Audit processes, identify gaps, and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve compliance and performance.
• Develop and mentor the Quality team through training, certifications, and career development opportunities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Regulatory, and Leadership teams to support business objectives and operational excellence.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties or functions and may not necessarily comprise all "essential functions" for purposes of the ADA.

Education, Certifications, and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Quality Management, Engineering, Business Management, Industrial Engineering, Environmental/Sustainability Management, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in quality, compliance, or manufacturing leadership within the paper or packaging industry preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS), regulatory compliance, and audit processes.
• Experience with ISO, FSC, SFI, HACCP/SQF,FDA, ISCC, and other sustainability or quality certifications strongly preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification or experience preferred.
• Knowledge of sustainability programs, ESG initiatives, and environmentally responsible manufacturing practices preferred.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proficient in KPI reporting, data analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to travel up to 15-20% as needed; valid driver's license required

Key Competencies:

• Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship
• Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• Regulatory Compliance & Audit Management
• Data Analysis, KPI Reporting & SPC
• Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing
• Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Actions (CAPA)
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Technical Manufacturing & Process Knowledge
• Leadership, Coaching & Team Development
• Communication & Customer Relationship Management
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Strategic Thinking & Operational Excellence

Travel Requirements:

The ability to work additional hours during the week, nights or on weekends may be required.  Must have the ability to travel (air/land) 15 - 20% of the time. A valid driver's license is required.

Physical Requirements:

The ability to work in a normal office environment to include sitting or standing for long periods of time, operating various standard office equipment, carrying paper documents/files, reaching and bending, speaking on the telephone, walking through our manufacturing plant, and wearing required personal protection gear (i.e. hearing, eye and foot protection).

The ability to wear required personal protection gear (i.e., hearing, eye and foot protection as well as other personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons, etc.); tolerating loud noise (maximum of 95 dB); tolerating extreme heat, cold and dusty environment.

EOE including disability/veteran