Finishing Lead

Smurfit Westrock; Nicholasville (KY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership development opportunities

Competitive compensation

Global packaging leader

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a capable leader to oversee daily finishing department operations, driving safety, quality, productivity and OEE improvements in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The role focuses on coaching and developing team members while coordinating with cross-functional teams to meet production goals.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, communication and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to GMP compliance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Effective communication with diverse teams.
• Ability to coach, train and develop team members.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily finishing department operations to meet safety, quality, productivity and OEE objectives.
• Promote a safe work environment and ensure compliance with safety policies and GMP requirements.
• Provide guidance, training, troubleshooting support and performance feedback to associates.
• Monitor production performance, identify bottlenecks and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support preventive maintenance, work order tracking and corrective actions for equipment reliability.
• Ensure housekeeping and 5S standards, quality requirements and company procedures are followed.
• Act as a backup to department leadership when needed.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support production goals and operational excellence.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Problem solving

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Opportunity

This role is responsible for leading and coordinating daily Finishing Department operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production. The position supports operational excellence by driving productivity, meeting quality standards, improving equipment effectiveness, and developing team members in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role serves as a key resource for troubleshooting, training, and continuous improvement initiatives while helping achieve departmental and plant performance goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily finishing department operations to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) objectives.
• Promote and maintain a safe work environment while ensuring compliance with company safety policies, food packaging safety requirements, and quality standards.
• Provide guidance, training, troubleshooting support, and performance feedback to associates.
• Monitor production performance, identify operational challenges, and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce downtime.
• Support equipment reliability through preventive maintenance oversight, work order monitoring, and coordination of corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with housekeeping, 5S standards, quality requirements, and company procedures.
• Serve as a backup to department leadership as needed.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support production goals and operational excellence.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

What You Need to Succeed

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Ability to read, understand, and apply information from instruction manuals, procedure manuals, and work instructions.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to coach, train, and develop team members.
• Strong problem-solving and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Commitment to safety, food packaging quality, GMP compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

What We Offer

• A workplace culture built on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training and opportunities for leadership development and career growth.
• Competitive compensation based on experience, skills, and performance.
• A career with a global packaging leader where Safety, Sustainability, and Inclusion are foundational to daily operations.
• Opportunities to lead high‑performing teams and make a meaningful impact on operational success.

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.

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.