Quality Excellence Lead

Trivium Packaging•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Trivium Packaging is a global sustainability leader in metal packaging with more than 60 locations worldwide, nearly 8,000 employees, and an annual revenue of approximately €3.0 billion. Trivium serves a diverse range of customers in a variety of end markets such as food, seafood, pet food, nutrition, beauty and personal care, household care, and premium beverages. Trivium wants to shape the industry and has embarked on an ambitious transformation journey. In the near term, focus is on building & upskilling the team, deciding where to play & how to win, and increasing financial performance by executing the Trivium Business System (commercial, operational, and supply chain excellence). Sustainability is embedded in our materials and in our actions. Trivium has ambitious sustainability targets and focuses exclusively on products that are infinitely recyclable. Our company sustainability journey has been awarded with a Platinum medal by EcoVadis, the world’s leading rating agent who allocated this award only to the top 1% of the >75000 companies reviewed. Sustainability is embedded in each and every function at Trivium, it‘s in our DNA. The global head office is at Amsterdam Airport; however, many people work in virtual teams from different countries. Our culture is results-driven, entrepreneurial, informal, and highly multicultural. Our people have a high degree of responsibility.Job Summary: Leads enterprise‑level quality, food safety, and compliance strategies across North American Food and Specialty can manufacturing operations, ensuring the consistent delivery of safe, compliant, and high‑quality metal packaging products. The role develops and sustains robust quality management systems aligned with GFSI, regulatory, customer, and internal requirements while proactively managing risk identification/mitigation and driving continuous improvement. This position collaborates with plant teams, operations, engineering, commercial, and customers to strategize the prevention of quality issues and mentoring effective change management. The role is instrumental in our Quality Transformation improving site‑to‑site consistency embedding a culture of quality excellence across the organization and ultimately strengthening customer confidence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, Food Science, or related technical field.
5+ years of progressive experience in quality management, food safety, or customer quality within a manufacturing environment; metal can or packaging experience preferred.
Experience developing and sustaining enterprise or multi‑site Quality Management Systems.
Strong knowledge of GFSI standards, regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and audit management.
Proven experience with risk‑based tools (HARA, FMEA, preventive controls, CAPA).
Advanced proficiency in quality core tools, structured problem solving, and data analysis.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams, influence without authority, and drive change in complex organizations.
Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels and with customers.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality data/reporting tools
Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Nice To Haves

Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt) and/or ASQ certification (CQE, CQA) preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead enterprise quality, food safety, and compliance initiatives across North American can manufacturing operations.
Develop, implement, and sustain standardized Quality Management Systems aligned with GFSI, regulatory, customer, and internal requirements.
Ensure ongoing certification readiness and act as the primary quality lead for customer, regulatory, and third‑party audits.
Proactively identify and mitigate quality and food safety risks through HARA, risk assessments, FMEA, and preventive controls.
Lead cross‑functional problem solving for complex quality issues with sustainable solutions, and verification of effectiveness.
Promote the use of quality core tools, data analysis, and statistical methods to improve process capability and reduce variation.
Ensure lessons learned are captured, standardized, and deployed across sites to prevent recurrence.
Champion a culture of quality excellence, accountability, and prevention at all levels of the organization.
Partner with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, and customers to prepare the organization for new business opportunities, product changes, and customer satisfaction improvement.
Support quality transformation initiatives aimed at improving operational performance and customer outcomes.
Drive supplier quality improvement initiatives and support supply chain performance.
Monitor, analyze, and report KPIs, quality performance metrics, trends, and risks to leadership.
Champion a culture of quality excellence through training, coaching, and continuous improvement.