Master Black Belt

Smurfit Westrock; Evadale (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401k with match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Evadale, TX is seeking a Master Black Belt to lead the Operational Excellence Program at the Evadale Mill. You will drive Lean-Six Sigma initiatives, coach belts, and partner with mill leadership to translate improvements into measurable productivity gains.

The role requires 5–10 years in industry, a chemical engineering background, strong financial acumen, and the ability to manage multiple projects and teams while traveling about 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or Paper Science preferred.
• 5–10 years of relevant industry experience with leadership growth.
• Ability to execute complex projects in fast-paced environments.
• Coach and mentor belts and employees for results.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to model project value.
• Intermediate knowledge of Lean Six Sigma.
• Smurfit Westrock Black Belt certification within 2 years.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10%.

Responsibilities

• Identify productivity priorities with mill leadership.
• Align project pipeline with annual financial plan.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams on process improvements.
• Coach multiple belt projects per year.
• Translate findings into production specifications.
• Maintain project docs in PM system.
• Ensure DMAIC/Kaizen/E3 standards are met.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership

Project management

Financial acumen

Mentoring

Communication

Influencing

Team building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering

Tools

Lean Six Sigma Tools

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.

Position: Master Black Belt

Job Code: MOPIP5 + Sr. Mgr, Process Improv, MBB

Location: Evadale, TX

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Master Black Belt to work in partnership with the leadership and employees at our Evadale Mill. This individual will lead the Operational Excellence Program focusing on continuous improvement utilizing Lean-Six Sigma Tools and Methodology. This individual will also lead and/or support all Mill Division Initiatives. Must work effectively with leadership and the financial community to translate sustainable process improvements into budgeted financial improvements (productivity impact). The Master Black Belt will coach and support part-time belts on projects and lead multiple process improvement teams concurrently. This position is site based, in person reporting at the Evadale, TX mill and reports to the Regional Master Black Belt.

How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock

• Work with mill leadership in the identification and alignment of mill productivity priorities, business needs, and project opportunities.
• Align overall productivity project pipeline with annual financial plan and division objectives.
• Consistently identify project opportunities to improve the business.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in process and systems improvement projects that result in significant financial impact.
• Coach and mentor multiple Yellow, Green, and Black Belt projects per year.
• Identify Lean-Six Sigma training candidates and support local and corporate training programs.
• 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, Kaizen, and E3 projects are met.
• Support business unit or divisional initiatives.
• Support mill during upset events and be responsible for a department on the weekend duty roster.

What You Need To Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or Paper Science preferred.
• 5 – 10 years of relevant industry experience with progressive growth in leadership and business.
• Passion and drive to improve systems and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to execute complex projects in fast paced and dynamic environments using team-based, data-based approach.
• Capability 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.
• Intermediate knowledge of Lean Six Sigma Tools and Methodology.
• Smurfit Westrock Black Belt certification within 2 years.
• 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 providing ad-hoc leadership as needed.
• Team builder.
• Average of 10% travel.

Preferred

• Subject matter expert with paper manufacturing or related industry experience (e.g., Wood, Packaging, etc.).
• Experience in change management and organizational redesign.
• 2+ years as lean six sigma black belt with documented project portfolio.

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.
• Benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k with match, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, employee referral bonus, and much more!
• 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.

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.