The Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day activities of maintaining the plant facility operations including safety policies, personnel, housekeeping, maintenance, production activities, customer requirements, planning and scheduling. This role will serve as a member of the management leadership team and must contribute to achieving sales objectives. The Operations Manager will serve as a coach to team members and assist in the development and evaluation of direct reports. This position reports to the General Manager.

How you will contribute to Smurfit Westrock:

• Ensure a proactively safe workplace, designed to minimize employee exposure via a structured and robust employee led safety program.

• Provide leadership and guidance on the coordination of plant activities through planning with Supervisors to ensure the manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner.

• Formulate solutions to minimize lead times, as well as maximize product quality, production employee job satisfaction, and profit margin.

• Control updates and distribute new and revised safety and quality standards to direct reports.

• Evaluate machinery or tools needing maintenance to communicate maintenance work orders.

• Develop a working relationship with internal WestRock departments to deliver the most efficient customer care and service.

• Manage P&L to control manufacturing and conversion cost within budgetary limits to ensure profitable long-term growth.

• Develop and monitor operational forecasts and budgets to improve plant profitability.

• Monitor and control waste management to manage production costs and reduce environmental impacts.

• Contribute to long term strategic planning including the justification for capital purchases.

• Act as a leader within the Performance Excellence framework and serve on the plant Steering Team.

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by staying abreast of best practices and application to WestRock, while staying consistent with company culture.

• Facilitate the coordination of relationships with plant level support functions including finance, engineering, materials, quality assurance, and human resources, to ensure alignment with overall plant operations.

• Review customer requirements and specifications to identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions to increase customer satisfaction.

• Establish all shift production schedules to control and monitor labor staffing needs.

• Develop and coach employees to their full potential by providing challenging opportunities that enhance employee career growth.

• Coach and counsel team members to perform in accordance with WestRock culture, values, and standards.

• Communicate new ideas to support fulfillment of department goals and procedures for continuous improvement, retention of customer base, company profitability, and employee job satisfaction.

• Develop and manage defined communication channels across various stakeholder groups to build effective relationships and produce superior products.

What you need to succeed:

• High School diploma or G.E.D; Bachelor\u2019s degree preferred

• Experience in a management capacity in a corrugated production environment (25% of our production is corrugated packaging, and the other 75% is displays)

• 7 to 10 years of experience in manufacturing industry; 7+ years of related leadership experience in a production facility

• Ability to manage up to 5+ direct reports, and hundreds of indirect reports across a large multi building, multi shift environment

• Mechanical background, corrugated industry experience, continuous improvement background / Six Sigma certification

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals

• Microsoft Office - Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint

• Experience with KIWI scheduling software and JDE

• WH Inventory Management Software / AS400

What we offer:

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability and excellence

• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities

• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies and potential

• Benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k with match, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, employee referral bonus, and much more!

• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.

Smurfit Westrock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create and maintain a diverse workforce where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Smurfit Westrock does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.