Area Learning & Development Manager

Smurfit Westrock; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock seeks an Area Learning & Development Manager to ensure effective execution of the Corrugated Division L&D program plant-wide, across operations and commercial teams. The role connects regional strategy to daily plant action, focusing on safety, quality, productivity and reliability through learning.

Responsibilities include onboarding, OJT, certification, training planning, health checks, and coaching to align efforts with business outcomes; travel ~50% to support multiple

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience managing or executing training systems in a manufacturing or operational environment.
• Experience using Learning Management Systems; Cornerstone experience preferred.
• Ability to leverage dashboards and tools to monitor training effectiveness and skill gaps.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.

Responsibilities

• Own execution quality of onboarding, on-the-job training (OJT), job certification, and training planning across assigned plants.
• Conduct regular learning health checks to validate execution quality and drive corrective action.
• Partner with plant and area leadership to align learning efforts to safety, quality, productivity, and reliability.
• Coach site-level leaders on expectations and execution of hourly employee development programs.
• Provide oversight and coaching to Technical Trainers and ensure trainer effort impacts business outcomes.
• Utilize learning systems to assign, track, and report on training and maintain documentation.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Results driven

Manufacturing experience

Communication skills

Execution discipline

Empathy & judgment

Education

Equivalent experience

Tools

Cornerstone LMS

Microsoft Office

Dashboards

Job description

h3>Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

The Opportunity

The Area Learning & Development (ALD) Manager is responsible for ensuring the effective execution and business impact of the Corrugated Division Learning & Development program at the plant level across an assigned area. The scope of this role spans Operations, Commercial, and other functional teams, with primary emphasis on manufacturing operations. This role is focused on driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and reliability through learning. ALDs serve as the primary connector between regional learning strategy and day-to-day plant execution, ensuring learning expectations are consistently implemented and aligned to business outcomes across functions. This role reports to the Senior Manager, Learning & Development and operates through influence rather than authority, including a dotted-line relationship to Technical Trainers.

• Own execution quality of onboarding, on-the-job training (OJT), job certification, and training planning across assigned plants.
• Conduct regular learning health checks to validate execution quality, identify gaps, and drive corrective action.
• Partner with plant and area leadership to align learning efforts to safety, quality, productivity, and reliability priorities.
• Apply a risk-based approach to plant support and presence based on quarterly plant risk assessments.
• Coach site-level leaders on expectations and execution of hourly employee development programs.
• Provide oversight and coaching to Technical Trainers through a dotted-line relationship, ensuring trainer effort is focused on business impact.
• Utilize approved learning systems to assign, track, and report on training.
• Ensure training documentation is stored, maintained, and used as part of the learning process.
• Maintain an effective operating rhythm with key stakeholders including Plant Managers, RLD, HR, Safety, Quality, Reliability, CI partners, and other key stakeholders as appropriate.
• Escalate issues appropriately when barriers cannot be resolved through influence, data, and evidence.
• Capture and communicate learning impact, wins, and best practices across the area.
• Drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and reliability through effective hourly workforce development.
• Improve consistency and effectiveness of onboarding, OJT, certification, and training planning across plants.
• Reduce skill gaps and operational risk by strengthening skill visibility and training execution.
• Increase effectiveness and consistency of Technical Trainers across the area.
• Additional duties as assigned.

What You Need To Succeed

Critical Skills / Capabilities

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence without authority.
• Results-oriented mindset with a focus on business outcomes over training activity.
• Ability to work effectively in manufacturing environments and engage hourly teams.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills across all organizational levels.
• Strong execution discipline, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Empathy, curiosity, and sound judgment when working with diverse teams.

Technical Skills

• 3‑5 years of experience managing or executing training systems in a manufacturing or operational environment.
• Experience using Learning Management Systems; Cornerstone experience preferred.
• Ability to leverage dashboards and tools to monitor training effectiveness and skill gaps.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.

Other Qualifications

• Equivalent experience accepted in lieu of formal degree.
• Manufacturing experience required; paper or packaging industry experience preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed organization.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 50%.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.