Quality Development Manager

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values – trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Together we can renew the everyday, for a future beyond fossils! 

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We are looking for a Quality Development Manager to join our team in Mills River, NC who will be responsible for all aspects of Quality Development and Quality Laboratory functions in Mills River.

Greetings from your future colleague

We are looking for a driven and results-oriented individual to lead Quality Development activities for our Mills River Operations team. Your main focus will be on enhancing product quality in manufacturing by addressing issues related to raw material quality and product design, collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to work in a highly agile business environment and to be part of UPM Adhesive Materials positive company culture - Annariikka Oestring, Senior Manager, Quality Development, Americas

What you will do

• Be responsible for creating and maintaining Quality Excellence culture with continuous improvement, innovation and initiative at all levels within the Mills River factory
• Be responsible for quality control and quality/food safety management systems. Review of specifications and quality control plans. Responsible for factory level risk management quality, service and food safety (together with FS-team). Ensuring preventive and corrective action are taking place on quality/service/food safety issues within factory, escalation of issues to other organizations
• Food Safety Team Leader. Responsible for the implementation, change management, performance evaluation and improvement of the food safety management system according to ISO 22000:2018 standard. Collaborate with a regional FS-team
• Support factory level continuous improvement activities and capabilities 
• Manager for Quality engineers and the Quality Laboratory
• Production and claim data analysis, evaluating opportunities for process and quality improvement. Works closely together with production, PD&I and business for quality improvement projects
• Develop, implement, and improve quality plans, procedures, and systems using statistical analyses, lean manufacturing concepts, and six sigma tools and analyses.  Lead and/or participate in quality improvement projects
• Local owner of the Product specifications after NPD process and ISO 9001 quality management system
• Conduct internal ISO 9001/22000 audits and coordinate corrective actions for ISO 9001/22000 compliance
• Maintain high level of communication with and between all teams. Works closely with sourcing, business and sales on corrective action communication on higher level claims
• Responsible for all equipment quality equipment verification and calibration process and certificate compliance

Who you are

• You have a combination of education and experience equivalent to 5 years of managerial experience in paper converting, coating, or finishing, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field.
• You have a background in process and/or quality development and Lean Six Sigma.
• You are able to act as a change agent and lead teams effectively.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills and can build strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• You have strong problem-solving skills and a proven ability to show initiative and develop innovative solutions.
• You have experience using Microsoft Office applications and production management systems.

This is what we offer to you

• A meaningful job: We have an inspiring purpose “We renew the everyday for a future beyond fossils”. Our work is impactful and transformative.  
• A caring community: Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees. 
• Development opportunities: We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth. 
• Responsible employer: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas, from climate change mitigation to enhancing biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves. 
• Comprehensive benefit package – UPM’s benefit package includes medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and a 401(k)-retirement plan. 

Learn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working 

Additional information

Location: Mills River, NC.

Travel requirements: 20%

This position is On-Site

For further information about the role, please contact Annariikka Oestring, Senior Manager Quality Development, Americas, at email annariikka.oestring@upm.com.   

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by October 29, 2026. Please note that we accept only applications submitted through our online application system. We begin reviewing applications as they are received, and you may be contacted before the application deadline.  

For support with submitting your application, please contact our HR Services at  careers@upm.com or tel. +18777235247.  

Learn more about how to apply from our Careers page.

Country-specific information 

This job description is intended to be a guide and is not intended to be a contract of employment, explicit or implicit. All contents are subject to change at the sole discretion of the company. Cooperation is expected of all employees. Other duties may be assigned as needed. 

Only candidates authorized to work within the United States without sponsorship will be considered. 

UPM North America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

UPM business / function information

UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,800 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €10.3 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.  

UPM – we renew the everyday 

Read more: upm.com 

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