Mill Technical Assistant

Smurfit Westrock plc; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive training

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Job summary

Smurfit WestRock plc seeks a Mill Technical Assistant (Sr. Specialist, Mfg Ops) to support Evadale Mill operations in Texas. You will drive process optimization, safety, quality and production efficiency, leading improvement projects and guiding cross‑functional teams.

The role emphasizes continuous improvement, RCA and Lean‑Six Sigma methodologies to advance mill performance and collaborate with other business functions across the site. Travel <10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering – Chemical, Mechanical or Paper Science preferred.
• 5–7 years of professional experience in a manufacturing environment in engineering, process improvement or related technical capacity.
• Demonstrated planning and organizing skills with good time management for multiple assignments.
• Strong teamwork skills in various roles including lead, mentor, and participant.
• Experience with Lean‑Six Sigma is preferred.
• Ability to coach/mentor others in formal or informal settings.
• MS Office skills including Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.
• Aligned with company values of Integrity, Respect, Accountability, and Excellence.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operations to perform routines, projects and troubleshooting work to optimize area performance and Management Operating Systems.
• Lead/assist in scoping improvement projects to meet mill goals with proper prioritization.
• Lead or support diagnostic efforts to identify opportunities within mill operations and value chain.
• Lead continuous improvement projects focusing on cost reduction, efficiency, quality and safety using Lean‑Six Sigma tools.
• Serve as a visible servant leader for continuous improvement and coach stakeholders.
• Collaborate across functions on projects involving customers, service, product development and sales when needed.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Project management

Time management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering (Chemical, Mechanical or Paper Science)

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Visio

Job description

Position: Mill Technical Assistant

Job Code: MOPOP3 + Sr. Specialist, Mfg Ops

The Opportunity:

The Mill Technical Assistant (Sr. Specialist, Mfg Ops) is a position in the Technical Department supporting the Evadale Mill operations within the Consumer Mills Division located in Evadale TX. The position reports directly to the Sr Manager Technical for the facility. The Mill Technical Assistant will provide process optimization working directly with mill operations in driving projects for safety/environmental, quality, production efficiency, cost reduction. The position is also expected to support the Performance Excellence effort at the Smurfit WestRock Evadale TX Mill. In this regard the role requires skills/experience in continuous improvement and problem‑solving processes like RCA, Lean‑Six Sigma tools and methodology to improve mill performance. The individual will be assigned to lead or facilitate significant improvement projects within the Texas facilities or joint projects requiring collaboration with other business functions. The role will typically have an operations area focus to support the KPIs for that given area but will also be engaged to participate and lead cross‑department and even cross‑division projects as assigned. Project Management experience is required and the capability to span location‑wide issues related to process and policy changes is important.

This position can be utilized as a developmental role to prepare the individual to move into roles of greater responsibility. Several advancement paths can be considered based upon the company needs and individual’s experience and performance. The position will require intermittent travel ( < 10% anticipated) to support the mill, Consumer Mills, or WestRock Performance Excellence efforts.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Partner with operations to perform routines, projects and troubleshooting work to optimize area performance and Management Operating Systems.
• Work with the mill leadership team and Department team to ensure Projects are scoped properly to identify, quantify, prioritize improvement projects to achieve mill goals.
• Lead/support diagnostic efforts and analysis to identify project opportunities within mill operations and value chain. Support site longer‑term facility planning and capital execution.
• Lead/facilitate chartered continuous improvement projects focused on cost reduction, efficiency improvement, quality/customer satisfaction and safety as assigned. Utilize Lean‑Six Sigma tools, methodology, and other processes.
• Be a highly visible valued servant leader for continuous improvement at the mill. Be a change agent, effectively coaching and consulting leaders and key stakeholders.
• May be asked to work on or lead projects involving customers, customer service, product development and sales personnel to understand customer requirements and proactively address concerns or improve mix/volume.
• Responsible for conducting business with integrity and respect, being accountable, and actively pursuing excellence to help achieve Smurfit WestRock’s Path to One goals.

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering – Chemical, Mechanical or Paper Science preferred
• Seeking 5 – 7 years of professional experience in a manufacturing environment in engineering, process improvement or related technical capacity. Paper or similar industry experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated skills in planning and organizing work, and time management for multiple assignments.
• Strong team skills in various roles – lead, mentor, participant.
• Prior process project experience or operational experience is desired. Experience in the use of structured problem‑solving methodologies like Lean‑Six Sigma is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability coach/mentor others in a classroom or informal setting.
• MS Office skills to include Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.
• Aligned with our company values of Integrity, Respect, Accountability, and Excellence

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.