General Manager

Smurfit Westrock; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit WestRock is seeking a General Manager responsible for the profitability and performance of a corrugated packaging facility in Milwaukee. You will oversee safety, quality, cost, and productivity while expanding local and regional sales and shaping strategic growth.

You will build a high performing team, drive continuous improvement, manage budgets, and partner with Sales, Logistics, and Quality to optimize operations across units. The role demands strong leadership and strategic execution.

Qualifications

• Requires degree in business or engineering.
• Minimum 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership.
• Experience with budgets and financial management.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams through change.
• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain profitability while meeting safety and quality standards.
• Develop and implement business plans aligned with company goals.
• Build a high performing team and drive change initiatives.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives tied to strategic direction.
• Collaborate with commercial/sales partners to identify growth opportunities.
• Oversee production improvements to meet short- and long-term objectives.
• Foster alliances across units to better serve cross-functional customers.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or Engineering

Job description

The Opportunity:

The General Manager will have full responsibility for the performance and profitability of the corrugated packaging manufacturing facility. This includes managing and focusing on measures associated with safety, quality, cost, and productivity and focusing on strategic expansion by increasing local and regional sales.

How you will impact Smurfit WestRock

• Maintain the plant’s profitability and ensure all safety and quality requirements are met
• Develop and implement business plans that align with company goals and overall strategic vision
• Build a high performing team and work collaboratively to drive change initiatives within the organization
• Drive and implement continuous improvement initiatives tied to the strategic business direction
• Build partnerships and effectively collaborate with commercial/sales business partners to identify facility growth opportunities, and maintain relationships with key accounts
• Oversee and drive improvements in facility production to meet short-term and long-term divisional objectives to achieve optimum efficiency
• Build effective alliances with other Business Units, Sales, Logistics, Production, Safety and Quality Managers to better serve customers that cross multiple business units

What you need to succeed

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Engineering - Required
• 7+ years of progressive management experience in a manufacturing facility, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in operations/production management - Required.
• Proven experience in budget and financial management
• Have a proven track record of goal setting and demonstrated ability to build, develop, lead, and motivate diverse teams through transformative change
• Ability to initiate projects in pursuit of greater profitability, anticipate potential problems and address them early
• Ability to facilitate the development of others’ knowledge and skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of capital management (P&L and capital budgets) and analyzing financial data
• Must possess excellent strategic planning and analytical skills
• Ability to operate with the customers’ best interest in mind
• Ability to respond quickly to changing demands, processes, and evolving information
• Communicate effectively with the ability to adjust communication style based on audience

What we offer

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability and excellence
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies and potential
• A generous benefits package starting on your first day of employment, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401k match, paid time off
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.