Cutting Manager

Smurfit Westrock; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Cutting Manager to lead day-to-day production operations, uphold safety, quality, and efficiency, and partner with plant leadership to achieve goals in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on manufacturing experience, a commitment to safety, and the ability to manage people, processes, and performance while driving continuous improvement and compliance with SQF, HACCP, and ISO standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in a related field, or equivalent industry work experience, required.
• Bachelor's degree in Management, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute job duties in a safe and efficient manner.
• Comply with all safety policies and safety expectations.
• Maintain a safe workplace and uphold safety as the top priority.
• Collaborate with managers to coordinate activities within and between departments.
• Collect, evaluate, and analyze production data to drive improvements.
• Identify and correct problems and inefficiencies in processes, materials, equipment, or skills.
• Develop and implement procedures to ensure a safe work environment.
• Oversee schedules and work assignments of frontline employees.
• Hire and supervise frontline staff to ensure efficiency and quality in production.
• Maintain 5S compliance in the area.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities and training.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Organizational skills

Time management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Leadership

Safety knowledge

Raw materials & production processes

MS Office proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or equivalent experience

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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.

Cutting Manager - Knoxville, TN

The Opportunity

The Cutting Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day production operations while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency. This role oversees front-line employees, drives continuous improvement initiatives, ensures compliance with food safety and quality regulations, and partners with plant leadership to achieve operational goals. The ideal candidate is a hands on leader with strong manufacturing experience, a commitment to safety, and the ability to effectively manage people, processes, and performance in a fast paced production environment.

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.

Cutting Manager - Knoxville, TN

The Opportunity

The Cutting Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day production operations while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency. This role oversees front-line employees, drives continuous improvement initiatives, ensures compliance with food safety and quality regulations, and partners with plant leadership to achieve operational goals. The ideal candidate is a hands on leader with strong manufacturing experience, a commitment to safety, and the ability to effectively manage people, processes, and performance in a fast paced production environment.

How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock

• Execute job duties in a safe and efficient manner.
• Comply with all safety policies and safety expectations.
• Each person, regardless of role or position, is responsible for Food Packaging Safety, Quality, and GMP compliance.
• Report any issue or event that poses a risk to employee safety, the environment and facilities, or food packaging safety and quality.
• Ensure that a safe workplace is always maintained and that the habits and practices of every employee hold safety as the top priority.
• Create and maintain a strong safety culture.
• Ensure compliance of all employees and processes with food safety and quality regulations (SQF, HACCP) as well as ISO regulations.
• Hire and oversee frontline employees to ensure efficiency and quality in production operations.
• Organize, direct, and oversee schedules and work assignments of frontline employees.
• Handle discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
• Collaborate with other managers and supervisors to coordinate activities within and between departments.
• Collect, evaluate, analyze, and assess production data.
• Regularly inspect and evaluate products for quality and defects.
• Identify and correct problems and inefficiencies in processes, materials, equipment, or skills.
• Develop and implement procedures and strategies to ensure a safe work environment.
• Collaborate with other departmental managers to develop and execute budgets.
• Maintain area compliance with all 5S requirements.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced environment and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Follow all applicable policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities, corrective actions, plant/corporate safety events, and training.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What You Need To Succeed

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in a related field, or equivalent industry work experience, required.
• Bachelor's degree in Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.
• At least three years of supervisory experience highly preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to function well in a high paced and sometimes stressful environment.
• Thorough understanding of safety and health laws, regulations, and policies.
• Thorough understanding of raw materials, production processes, quality control, cost management, and effective manufacturing and distribution techniques.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

What We Offer

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• Competitive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential
• A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are foundational to how we operate
• Competitive total rewards package including medical, dental, and vision coverage options starting on your first day
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions and flexible spending account (FSA) options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and automatic contributions to support your long-term financial goals
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage for financial protection
• Mental health support and wellness programs designed to promote overall well-being
• Generous paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and paid parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Additional voluntary benefits such as legal services, identity protection, pet insurance, and more

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.