Quality Specialist Launch Team

About Ball Corporation

Advance your professional journey with Ball Corporation, a global leader in sustainable aluminum packaging manufacturing. With over 16,000 employees worldwide and recognized as one of Newsweek's 2023 Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces, Ball is committed to making a positive impact on communities, society, and the environment through recyclable aluminum cans, cups, and aerosol bottles.

Primary Purpose

This position involves working within a team of process specialists focusing mainly on the performance during new equipment builds, line conversions, and new line start-ups. The Quality Specialist will take charge of quality aspects to ensure compliance with environmental laws, optimize quality and chemical consumption in manufacturing processes, and contribute to efficiency, spoilage control, and other performance indicators such as material usage and adherence to environmental standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Achieve efficiency and reduce spoilage targets during new builds, line launches, and conversions while aligning with approved ramp-up schedules to ensure stable operations.
• Manage quality throughout start-up phases ensuring products meet compliance, consistency, and specification standards from initial production to handover.
• Maintain ongoing product quality and food safety by monitoring processes, materials, and outputs, acting swiftly on deviations.
• Oversee local quality team inspections and audits to ensure compliance with process, material, and finished product quality standards.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on inspection devices and measurement equipment, managing their maintenance, calibration, validation, and monitoring across EMEA to support reliable quality verification.
• Analyze quality trends and key performance indicators, identifying issues early and initiating corrective or preventive measures to enhance process capability.
• Assist Plant Quality Manager with ISO, HACCP, and other food safety or customer-driven quality system implementation and upkeep.
• Implement standard operating procedures, statistical process controls, and quality tools to maintain process consistency during ramp-up periods.
• Train production and quality teams on process fundamentals, quality standards, defect prevention, inspection protocols, and food safety practices to build skilled, autonomous staff.
• Ensure availability of trained backups for critical quality and food safety positions to maintain operational continuity.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and suppliers to reduce defects, variability, and strengthen overall process quality.
• Collect, evaluate and report quality and food safety data to inform decisions and support continuous improvements.
• Contribute to resolving customer complaints during launch phases through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Support new product and design introductions by ensuring compliance with food safety and quality criteria from trials to mass production.
• Provide training on process and performance expectations during recruitment and start-up period.
• Offer emergency breakdown support with strong diagnostic skills to quickly restore line operations and protect quality standards.
• Assist with size conversions ensuring efficient changeovers and local team capability development.
• Share best practices and lessons learned to improve future equipment builds, start-up activities, and operational excellence.
• Support implementation of BOE level 3 standards related to safety, quality, business management, and maintenance pillars within assignment scope.

Candidate Qualifications and Competencies

• College degree or diploma in a related field, or equivalent experience via high school education with relevant work background.
• Teaching or training qualification equivalent to at least 'Train The Trainer' certification.
• Minimum five years of experience in can manufacturing operations.
• Experience applying basic problem-solving techniques and foundational lean manufacturing principles.
• Capability to work within cross-cultural teams.
• At least three years in a similar role demonstrating expertise in quality assurance, customer support, and product knowledge.
• Prior experience with ISO standards, food safety, and audits is preferred.
• Green Belt certification is advantageous.
• Deep understanding of the can-making process, with subject matter expertise in at least one specific domain.
• Strong ability to transfer knowledge related to can production processes.
• Skilled in equipment setup, troubleshooting, optimization, and supporting line performance.
• Proficient computer skills for data analysis and report generation.
• Communicative English language skills.
• Experience with line launches or rebuild projects is a plus.
• Ownership mentality focused on continuous improvement and waste reduction.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior team members effectively.
• Meticulous attention to detail and strict adherence to specifications.
• Effective communicator across departments and organizational levels.
• Strong collaborator and team player.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and forward-thinking approach.
• Committed to ongoing improvement with a strong waste reduction focus.
• Versatile in working autonomously as well as collaboratively.
• Excellent engagement and communication skills.
• Passion for coaching, mentoring, and team development.
• Flexibility and readiness for short-notice travel.
• Supportive and empathetic team member personality.

Work Environment and Benefits

This role supports central functions and offers flexible working arrangements, including options for hybrid or fully remote work, subject to job demands and managerial approval.

Salary: The pay range for this role is 62,300 to 89,690 EUR gross annually. Actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's education, experience, skills, competencies, and internal equity benchmarks. The stated range is based on Germany as the reference location; local salary ranges will apply for candidates elsewhere.

Incentive Plan: Eligible to participate in the company’s annual incentive compensation program.

Benefits: Comprehensive package including defined contribution pension, life, accident and disability insurance, employee assistance programs, and meal support.

Equal Opportunity

Ball Corporation values diversity and inclusivity, welcoming applicants regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, ability, or orientation. Joining Ball means becoming a part of a global team making a difference with sustainable products that contribute positively to the world.

Additional Notes

The official job title on employment contracts may differ due to local organizational structures and global HR systems.