Director of Operations

Flint Hills Resources; Cleveland (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia-Pacific’s Corrugated division in Cleveland, TN, is seeking a Director of Operations to lead a 125-person box plant, shaping performance and culture while prioritizing safety, reliability, and quality.

You’ll report to the General Manager, build high-performing teams, mentor leadership, apply Principle-Based Management, and collaborate with commercial, customer service and corporate capability teams to drive value and long-term improvements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on leadership experience in corrugated, paper converting manufacturing OR a similar industry.
• Directed teams in a high-volume, safety-driven operation, consistently meeting output and safety performance goals.

Responsibilities

• Build High-Performing Teams & Culture.
• Develop a team-oriented culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and grow your leadership team into future promotable roles.
• We are looking for a people first leader to foster an environment where employees are respected, empowered, and proud of their work.
• Lead with Vision & Strategy.
• Apply Principle-Based Management® to drive innovation and long-term value.
• Collaborate with local and regional leaders to meet business goals.
• Foster an engaged workforce and drive accountability throughout the organization.
• Execute Operational Excellence.
• Lead plant operations with a relentless focus on safety, reliability, and quality.
• Use Lean tools and data to optimize productivity and reduce waste.
• Drive adoption of emerging technologies to improve performance.

Skills

Leadership

Safety

People development

Cross-functional collaboration

Operational excellence

Lean tools

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Business Administration, Management

Lean Six Sigma training or certification

Job description

Georgia-Pacific’s Corrugated business is looking for a dynamic and experiencedDirector of Operationsto lead our box plant in Cleveland, TN. This is an incredible opportunity to make a lasting impact, overseeing a talented workforce of 125, including a strong leadership team, while shaping the future of plant performance and culture.

As the Director of Operations, you’ll lead with purpose, driving safety, operational excellence, and reliability while empowering your teams to perform at their best. Reporting to the General Manager, you’ll collaborate across commercial, customer service, and corporate capability teams to deliver results that move the business forward. With broad organizational visibility and strong support from senior leadership, this role offers a unique opportunity to grow your impact and your career.

Our Team

Join an exciting and dynamic team committed to sustainability, innovation, and excellence. We make significant investments in capital and are dedicated to developing preferred partnerships and delivering best-in-class service. Rooted in Principle-Based Management®, our team values trust, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Cleveland, Tennessee, in the foothills of the southern Appalachians, blends small-city charm with big-city access: a vibrant historic downtown, Lee University, local dining and breweries, and growing healthcare and manufacturing sectors. Outdoor opportunities abound with the Cherokee National Forest and the world-renowned TN rivers known for excellent fishing and outdoor recreation. Cleveland is about 30 minutes from Chattanooga and roughly two hours from Atlanta and the Smokies. With an affordable cost of living, solid schools, family-friendly neighborhoods, and strong commuter connections, it’s an attractive place for professionals and families seeking balance.

We’re ready for a leader who’s passionate about developing people, strengthening culture, and unlocking the full potential of this energized team.

What You Will Do

• Build High-Performing Teams & Culture
• Develop a team-oriented culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Mentor and grow your leadership team into future promotable roles
• We are looking for a people first leader to foster an environment where employees are respected, empowered, and proud of their work
• Lead with Vision & Strategy
• Apply Principle-Based Management® to drive innovation and long-term value
• Collaborate with local and regional leaders to meet business goals
• Foster an engaged workforce and drive accountability throughout the organization
• Execute Operational Excellence
• Lead plant operations with a relentless focus on safety, reliability, and quality
• Use Lean tools and data to optimize productivity and reduce waste
• Drive adoption of emerging technologies to improve performance

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• 5+ years of hands-on leadership experience in corrugated, paper converting manufacturing OR a similar industry
• Directed teams in a high-volume, safety-driven operation, consistently meeting output and safety performance goals

What Will Put You Ahead

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering, Business Administration, Management, or related field
• Formal training or certification in Lean, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies

#LI-MS1

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .

Who We Are

As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day to make everyday products even better.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify.