Associate Managing Director

Mondi plc; Romeoville, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive base salary plus bonus

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Ins.

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Mondi is seeking a Managing Director for the Romeoville, Illinois paper bag converting operation. This senior executive holds full P&L accountability and leads manufacturing, supply chain, sales, finance, engineering, quality and human resources to drive commercial performance and sustainable growth.

You will shape the site’s strategy, advance Lean initiatives, manage capital investments, strengthen customer partnerships, ensure safety and governance, and represent Mondi with key stakeholders

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Managing Director, General Manager, Plant Manager, or similar senior leadership role with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong leadership background within industrial manufacturing, preferably in paper, packaging, converting, pulp and paper, or related industries.
• Demonstrated success driving operational excellence, profitability, and organizational performance.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in customer management, pricing strategy, and margin improvement.
• Experience leading capital investment projects, business transformation initiatives, and continuous improvement programs.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field. Travel approximately 20-25% within the United States, with occasional international travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, quality, and logistics functions to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence using Lean manufacturing principles.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality products that meet customer requirements and service expectations.
• Optimize supply chain performance, inventory management, and supplier relationships.
• Champion a strong safety culture and lead efforts toward a zero-incident environment.
• Partner closely with Sales to strengthen customer relationships and drive profitable growth.
• Serve as executive sponsor for key customer accounts and align commercial commitments with operations.
• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing leadership team.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Financial Management

Operations Management

Lean Manufacturing

Commercial Acumen

Talent Development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management

MBA (preferred)

Job description

About Mondi

At Mondi, we offer packaging and paper solutions designed to support a circular economy. We've grown from a single paper mill to a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, with our 24,000 employees working across 100+ production sites in more than 30 countries.

We combine strong industrial heritage with continuous drive to innovate and create products that help our customers make more sustainable choices every day.

About the Role

The Managing Director is the senior executive leader responsible for the overall performance, strategic direction, and profitability of our paper bag converting operation in Romeoville, Illinois. This role carries full P&L accountability and is responsible for driving commercial performance, operational excellence, safety, employee engagement, and sustainable business growth.

The Managing Director leads all aspects of the business including manufacturing, supply chain, sales, finance, engineering, quality, and human resources. This position ensures alignment with Mondi's strategic priorities while delivering customer satisfaction, operational performance, and long-term business success.

Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

• Develop and execute the site's strategic plan in alignment with Mondi's business objectives.
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities for growth through new customers, market expansion, product innovation, and capacity enhancements.
• Drive pricing strategies, margin improvement, and profitable business development.
• Monitor industry trends, sustainability developments, and regulatory changes to maintain competitiveness and support long-term growth.

P&L Ownership & Financial Management

• Maintain full responsibility for the site's financial performance, including revenue, profitability, cash flow, and capital efficiency.
• Develop annual operating plans, budgets, forecasts, and long-range financial strategies.
• Drive cost control initiatives across manufacturing, labor, logistics, energy, and raw materials.
• Evaluate and prioritize capital investment opportunities, including equipment upgrades, automation, and facility improvements.
• Ensure strong financial governance, compliance, and internal controls.

Operations & Manufacturing Excellence

• Lead manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, quality, and logistics functions to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence using Lean manufacturing principles.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality products that meet customer requirements and service expectations.
• Optimize supply chain performance, inventory management, and supplier relationships.

Safety, Quality & Sustainability

• Champion a strong safety culture and lead efforts toward a zero-incident environment.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental, health, safety, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Support sustainability initiatives focused on waste reduction, recycling, energy efficiency, and responsible resource management.
• Maintain customer and industry certifications and ensure ongoing audit readiness.

Commercial & Customer Leadership

• Partner closely with Sales to strengthen customer relationships and drive profitable growth.
• Serve as executive sponsor for key customer accounts.
• Ensure alignment between commercial commitments and operational capabilities.
• Lead resolution of significant customer issues and participate in key contract negotiations when required.

People & Organizational Leadership

• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing leadership team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Lead succession planning and talent development initiatives across the organization.
• Support workforce planning and maintain positive employee and labor relations.

Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary interface with Mondi senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Provide clear reporting on business performance, risks, opportunities, and strategic initiatives.
• Represent Mondi with customers, suppliers, industry associations, and the local community.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Managing Director, General Manager, Plant Manager, or similar senior leadership role with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong leadership background within industrial manufacturing, preferably in paper, packaging, converting, pulp and paper, or related industries.
• Demonstrated success driving operational excellence, profitability, and organizational performance.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in customer management, pricing strategy, and margin improvement.
• Experience leading capital investment projects, business transformation initiatives, and continuous improvement programs.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Ability to travel approximately 20-25% within the United States, with occasional international travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or other advanced business degree.
• Experience within the paper packaging, fiber-based packaging, or sustainability-focused manufacturing industries.
• Experience leading multi-functional manufacturing organizations within a global company environment.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Our Offer

• Comprehensive base salary plus incentive opportunity
• Full Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company match and immediate vesting
• An exciting leadership opportunity within the packaging and paper industry
• Opportunities for professional growth and career development within a global organization

Why Join Mondi?

At Mondi, you'll be part of a global team shaping the future of sustainable packaging and paper. We combine innovation, responsibility, and collaboration to create solutions that make a positive impact on the world.

Do you want to know more about Mondi? We are a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world through innovative solutions that are sustainable by design. Our global team of 24,000 people works across 100 production sites in more than 30 countries.

Our strength lies in our diversity. We are dedicated to creating a team that reflects the diversity of the world we operate in. We encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups, including women, visible minorities, LGBTQI+ individuals, and people with disabilities.