Machine Room Manager: Paper Mill Operations Lead

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

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