Cutting Manager

Guided Search Partners; Lumberton (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading executive search firm is seeking a Cutting Manager for a paper-based consumer packaging operation in Lumberton, NC. This hands-on role involves leading the cutting department, ensuring safety and quality in production, and driving continuous improvement using Six Sigma principles. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, 5-8 years of converting operations experience, and demonstrates strong leadership and communication skills. Join a critical department where your leadership will directly impact the performance and success of operations.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in converting operations or equivalent.
• Experience leading teams is preferred.
• Strong resource and people management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the cutting department across shifts and ensure safe production.
• Manage sheet-fed line operations to meet specifications.
• Drive goals across safety, quality, and productivity.

Skills

Leadership

Safety Management

Continuous Improvement

Team Development

Project Management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

5–8 years in converting operations

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Guided Search Partners (GSP)

Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships. We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with a global leader in paper-based consumer packaging, supporting some of the world’s most recognized brands across food, beverage, and other consumer products. This site is a folding carton manufacturing operation where precision, safety, and daily execution make a measurable difference for customers.

The Cutting Manager role is a key leadership seat in the converting operation—responsible for the cutting department across shift operations and for ensuring production performance aligns with safety, quality, and customer expectations. This opportunity fits a hands‑on operations leader who enjoys building reliable processes, developing teams, and finding smarter ways to run—especially in environments grounded in continuous improvement and Six Sigma discipline.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the cutting department across shifts, providing direction and support to ensure safe, consistent production.
• Manage sheet‑fed line operations, rotary die cutting, and rotary die sharpening to ensure paperboard is sheeted, printed, and cut to specification.
• Set and drive goals across safety, quality, productivity, and employee development.
• Identify and execute cost reduction and continuous improvement opportunities aligned with Six Sigma efforts.
• Partner across departments to coordinate priorities, resolve issues, and keep production flowing.
• Identify capital improvement needs for the department and support project execution as needed.
• Maintain a safe, clean work environment and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Improve processes that strengthen performance and control costs across the department.
• Handle additional responsibilities as assigned.

Who You Are

You’re an action-oriented leader who balances urgency with discipline. You can run a department, coach people, and still stay close enough to the work to spot problems early. You’re comfortable making decisions, managing through ambiguity, and holding high standards for safety and quality. You build trust through follow-through, clear communication, and steady leadership.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or related field, with 5–8 years of experience in converting operations and working with dies (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Experience leading teams across shifts; supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong project, resource, and people management skills with the ability to set targets and deliver results.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to develop improvements within budget/cost constraints.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Outlook, and internet-based tools.

Why This Role Matters

This department is a critical point of performance for the plant—where safety, quality, and throughput come together. The Cutting Manager ensures customers receive product that meets spec, teams operate safely, and the department continues to improve over time. If you enjoy leading operations where your decisions show up immediately in results—and where continuous improvement is part of the daily language—this role offers strong impact and visibility.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Operations Manager
• Leads: cutting department operations across shifts, including sheet‑fed line, rotary die cutting, and die sharpening areas
• Partners closely with: other departments and functions to align production priorities and performance goals