Cutting Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Cutting Manager to lead daily production operations with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency. This hands-on leadership role supervises frontline staff, drives continuous improvement, and ensures compliance with food safety and quality regulations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate has manufacturing leadership experience, a commitment to safety, and the ability to manage people, processes, and performance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Associate degree or equivalent industry experience is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Management, Engineering, or related field is preferred.
• At least three years of supervisory experience is highly preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong time management and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production operations with emphasis on safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Oversee frontline employees, schedules, and performance.
• Ensure compliance with SQF, HACCP, ISO and other safety regulations.
• Collect, evaluate, and analyze production data; identify inefficiencies.
• Collaborate with plant leadership to manage budgets and 5S practices.
• Maintain a safe workplace and promote a strong safety culture.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Manufacturing experience

Safety-oriented

Leadership

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in related field

Bachelor's degree in Management/Engineering/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

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.

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.