Senior Operations Manager

$124,500 - $207,500/Yr

WestRock

Full-time - Mid Level

Paper Manufacturing

About the position

The Senior Operations Manager at Smurfit Westrock is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the plant facility, ensuring safety, efficiency, and quality in production. This role involves leadership within the management team, coaching employees, and contributing to strategic planning and operational excellence. The position requires a focus on achieving sales objectives while maintaining a proactive safety culture and managing production costs effectively.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a proactively safe workplace through a structured employee-led safety program.
• Provide leadership and guidance on plant activities to meet manufacturing objectives.
• Formulate solutions to minimize lead times and maximize product quality and profit margins.
• Control updates and distribute new safety and quality standards to direct reports.
• Evaluate machinery or tools needing maintenance and communicate maintenance work orders.
• Develop relationships with internal departments to enhance customer care and service.
• Manage P&L to control manufacturing costs within budgetary limits.
• Develop and monitor operational forecasts and budgets to improve profitability.
• Monitor waste management to reduce production costs and environmental impacts.
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning and capital purchase justifications.
• Act as a leader within the Performance Excellence framework and serve on the plant Steering Team.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and best practices.
• Facilitate coordination with support functions to align with plant operations.
• Review customer requirements to identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions.
• Establish production schedules to control labor staffing needs.
• Develop and coach employees to enhance career growth.
• Communicate new ideas to support department goals and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage communication channels across stakeholder groups.

Requirements

• High School diploma or G.E.D; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 7 to 10 years of experience in the manufacturing industry; 7+ years of leadership experience in a production facility.
• Experience in a management capacity in a corrugated production environment.
• Ability to manage up to 5+ direct reports and hundreds of indirect reports in a multi-shift environment.
• Mechanical background and continuous improvement experience, preferably with Six Sigma certification.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Experience with KIWI scheduling software and JDE.
• Familiarity with WH Inventory Management Software / AS400.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in the corrugated packaging industry.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies.

Benefits

• Comprehensive training and development opportunities.
• Attractive salary reflecting skills and competencies.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage.
• 401k with matching contributions.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts and referral bonuses.