Backend Operations Leader

Smurfit Westrock Company; Florida; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Florida seeks an experienced Operations Leader to direct the Utilities, Fiber, and Recaust areas of the mill supporting two paper machines. You will champion safety, quality, and cost reduction while driving productivity and asset reliability.

The role requires strategic oversight of safety systems, environmental compliance, budgeting, capital projects, and people development to maximize uptime and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or commensurate experience.
• 7+ years of area-specific operational experience including 5+ years of direct leadership.
• Coordination with site procurement and subcontractors.
• Experience in Purchasing and Asset Management – maintenance planning and scheduling.
• Knowledge of budgeting, CapEx, and financial indicators.
• Safety, Health and Environmental knowledge (OSHA, regulations).
• Lean, Six Sigma or similar process-improvement methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety systems and processes to achieve annual goals.
• Drive environmental management and compliance within the department.
• Maintain quality and customer satisfaction while reducing costs.
• Develop and execute cost-reduction strategies and budgets.
• Improve production efficiency and department performance.
• Oversee capital projects from inception to completion.
• Invest in people development through training and feedback.

Skills

Safety leadership

Operational leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Process improvement

People development

Stakeholder coordination

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CMMS (Maintenance Management)

CapEx budgeting tools

ERP systems

Job description

CAREER OPPORTUNITY:

This Operations Leader provides leadership and direction for the Utilities, Fiber, and Recaust areas of the Mill, which support two paper machines. This position is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment, continuously improving quality, productivity, efficiency, and cost for Woodyard, Pulp, Power, Recovery, and Tall Oil operations. This leader reports to the Operations Manager.

RESPONSIBILIITIES:

• Safety – Lead safety systems and processes that support achieving our continually improving annual goals
• Environmental – Lead department environmental management systems to ensure compliance and environmental stewardship
• Quality/Customer Satisfaction – Focus on the “no fail basics” of quality and service coupled with innovation to be our customer’s preferred supplier
• Cost – Develop and maintain methods for tracking and reducing operational costs
• Production – Achieve production goals by improving efficiency and effectiveness of department operations (utilizing all available tools, technology, and outside resources)
• Financial Budget/Results – Develop stretch operating budgets and deliver financial results
• Capital Execution – Provide input to capital projects from inception through completion
• People Development - Invest in our people to help them develop and operate at their maximum potential (training, feedback, goals, etc.)

KEY BEHAVIORS

• Create an environment of respect and trust for our co-workers and customers
• Empower and engage co-workers to improve our performance and lower our costs
• Satisfy our customers every time
• Do the right thing for Smurfit Westrock – always

COMPETENCIES:

• Command Skills
• Customer Focus
• Managerial Courage
• Managing/Measuring Work
• Motivating Others
• Problem Solving
• Process Management Skills
• Drive for Results

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Prefer bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline or commensurate experience.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of area specific operational experience to include five (5) years of direct leadership experience.
• Capability to coordinate with site procurement in administration or third party contracted services and various subcontracts.
• Purchasing and Asset Management - Precision Maintenance, Maintenance Planning and Scheduling, Reliability Systems
• Thorough knowledge of budgeting and operations planning. Working knowledge of planning and scheduling processes, computerized maintenance management systems and related maintenance recordkeeping - Product Cost Accounting, CapEx Procedures & Guidelines, Working Knowledge of Financial Indicators, Budgeting & Forecasting Processes
• Safety, Health and Environmental - OSHA, State, and local laws/regulations; Safety Programs and Training
• Process Improvement and Management Tools - Lean, 6 Sigma, Statistics, Kepner-Tregoe, etc.

CRITICAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES

• Experience leading resolution of difficult operating situations
• Disciplined problem solving

Keywords: Pulp Mill Manager, Business Unit Manager, pulp, power, recovery, utilities, recaust, woodyard, area manager, Fiber Manager, Fiber & Utilities Manager, Backend Operations Leader, pulp mill, operations manager

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