Machine Room Manager

Smurfit Westrock; East Hodge (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in the United States seeks a Hodge Machine Room Manager to lead Paper Machines 4 and 5, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation. You will direct hourly and salaried staff, drive continuous improvement, and partner with maintenance, technical, environmental, and supply chain teams to maximize asset reliability and productivity while upholding safety and quality standards.

The role focuses on developing operating plans, managing budgets and outages, and advancing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Paper Science, Operations Management, Business, or related field.
• Ten or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, preferably within the pulp and paper industry.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a paper machine or integrated mill manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to lead teams and deliver sustainable results in safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost performance.
• Experience managing budgets, capital projects, planned outages, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Champion a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, and compliance.
• Lead daily operations to deliver performance targets in safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost.
• Develop and execute operating plans, budgets, capital projects, and outage strategies.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, talent development, succession planning, and performance management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using data-driven decision making and root cause problem solving.
• Ensure effective communication, alignment, and execution of departmental and mill objectives.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Technical, Environmental, Supply Chain, and other business partners to optimize mill performance.
• Support long-range business strategies that improve asset reliability, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Leadership experience

Budgets & finance

Continuous improvement

Safety focus

Paper industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Paper Science, Operations Management, Business, or related field

Job description

Description & Requirements

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.

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 Hodge Machine Room Manager provides leadership for the Paper Department and is accountable for the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of Paper Machines 4 and 5. This role leads both hourly and salaried employees to achieve business objectives in safety, quality, productivity, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and financial performance. The Machine Room Manager partners with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement, operational excellence, and strategic mill initiatives.

Key Accountabilities

• Champion a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, and compliance.


• Lead daily operations to deliver performance targets in safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost.


• Develop and execute operating plans, budgets, capital projects, and outage strategies.


• Build organizational capability through coaching, talent development, succession planning, and performance management.


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using data-driven decision making and root cause problem solving.


• Ensure effective communication, alignment, and execution of departmental and mill objectives.


• Collaborate with Maintenance, Technical, Environmental, Supply Chain, and other business partners to optimize mill performance.


• Support long-range business strategies that improve asset reliability, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Paper Science, Operations Management, Business, or related field preferred.


• Ten (10) or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, preferably within the pulp and paper industry.


• Demonstrated leadership experience in a paper machine or integrated mill manufacturing environment.


• Proven ability to lead teams and deliver sustainable results in safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost performance.


• Experience managing budgets, capital projects, planned outages, and continuous improvement initiatives.


• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.

Preferred Competencies

• Working knowledge of papermaking processes, paper machine operations, and manufacturing systems.


• Strong business acumen with experience in budgeting, financial management, and resource allocation.


• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.


• Demonstrated commitment to employee development, engagement, and inclusion.


• Proven track record of driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.

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.