Manager, Process Improv, BB – Corrugated West

Smurfit Westrock; Michigan; On-site; USD 103,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Integrity culture

Training & development

Competitive salary

Global company

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Lean Six Sigma leader to drive cross-site process improvements. You will manage multiple teams, coach belts, and translate savings into production improvements.

Ideal candidates have 5–10 years in manufacturing continuous improvement, Green/Black Belt, and strong financial modeling skills. Travel up to 90% to WestRock plants is required. Salary ranges with comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• BS/BA required; technical degree preferred.
• 5–10 years manufacturing/continuous improvement experience.
• Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Data-driven, team-based problem solving in fast-paced environments.
• Strong financial acumen to model project value.

Responsibilities

• Lead 2–4 improvement teams concurrently across locations.
• Execute 6+ projects per year with significant productivity impact.
• Coach Green Belt projects; mentor hourly and salaried staff.
• Translate improvement findings into production specs and standard work.
• Maintain project documentation in PM systems.
• Ensure DMAIC/kaizen standards are met.
• Identify opportunities to improve business results.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Project management

Financial analysis

Mentoring

Education

BS/BA; Technical Degree Preferred

Tools

Minitab

MS Office

Visio

SharePoint

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.

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.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Lead multiple process improvement teams concurrently utilizing the Lean-Six Sigma Methodology to measurably improve operational and/or business processes. Must work effectively with leadership and the financial community to translate sustainable process improvements into budgeted financial improvements (net productivity impact). May be required to coach and/or support Green Belts and Part Time Black Belts on their kaizen or DMAIC projects. May be required to lead projects impacting customers, customer service and sales personnel.

Essential Job Functions

• Work with leadership to align on priorities, business needs, project opportunities.


• Lead 2-4 project improvement teams concurrently, potentially at multiple locations (divisional / business unit dependent).


• Execute > 6 projects per year having a significant impact on our business (BBs expected to provide > $1MM in productivity).


• Coach multiple Green Belt projects per year.


• Work effectively with operations to translate process improvement findings into production specifications and standard work.


• Maintain project documentation within the project management system.


• Ensure standards of project execution for DMAIC and kaizen projects are met.


• Consistently identify project opportunities to improve the business.


• Support business unit or divisional initiatives.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• BS/BA; Technical Degree Preferred


• 5 – 10 years of relevant manufacturing / continuous improvement experience


• Green Belt or Black Belt certification


• Demonstrated ability to execute projects in fast paced and dynamic environment using team-based, data-driven approach


• Passion and drive to improve systems and processes


• Demonstrated ability to coach, teach, and mentor technical and non-technical knowledge to hourly and salaried employees to drive business results.


• Strong financial acumen with ability to create financial models used to support project selection and determine net project value to the P&L.


• Proficient with Minitab, Microsoft Office, Visio, and/or SharePoint


• Intermediate knowledge of Lean Six Sigma tools and methodology


• Driven with a sense of urgency to achieve results.


• Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills from the shop floor to executive level


• Skilled Decision maker and Systematic Problem Solver


• Ability to Positively Influence and Persuade Others


• Capable of assuming authority as needed.


• Team builder


• Ability to travel up to 90% of the time to WestRock plants supported in defined geographic area.


• Prefer a subject matter expert within the industry applicable to the division/business unit.


• Must be reliable and dependable.


• Must be able to perform all essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

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 career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

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.

The salary range for this position is $103,125.00 - $171,875.00, depending on your role, level, and location. The range listed is also the expected pay for roles in Illinois and Colorado. The benefits for this role include short-term bonus incentive, health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and paid sick leave as required by applicable state/local law, 15 days of paid vacation, and 11 days of paid holidays, subject to annual change. Your pay will be based on factors such as your skills, experience, and education.

The application window is expected to close by 30-Nov-2026.