Operations Manager

Smurfit Westrock; Covington (VA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k with match

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Referral bonus

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Low Moor, VA, seeks an Operations Manager to lead extrusion coating and converting, ensuring safety, quality, and on-time production. You will partner with engineering, maintenance, quality, and supply chain to drive operational excellence.

The role emphasizes developing staff, Lean initiatives, budgeting, and cost control while maintaining customer satisfaction through reliable manufacturing and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with manufacturing leadership experience.
• 7+ years in progressive manufacturing leadership roles.
• Experience leading plant operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of safety, quality, and operational excellence principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations to meet safety, quality, production and financial goals.
• Ensure compliance with safety/environmental regulations and company policies.
• Direct daily production activities to meet demand and KPIs.
• Support quality systems for product consistency and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular audits and implement corrective actions.
• Coach and develop production teams and drive engagement.
• Lead Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance to improve equipment reliability.
• Manage operating expenses and monitor material utilization.
• Report plant performance and ensure proper documentation.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Safety compliance

Operations planning

Budget management

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations Management/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Manufacturing systems

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.

Position:

Operations Manager

Job Code:

MOPOM4 + Mgr II, Mfg Ops

Location:

Low Moor, VA

The Opportunity

When you join Smurfit Westrock, you will be joining a team that creates sustainable paper and packaging solutions that help move the world forward. As the Low Moor Operations Manager, you will lead all aspects of our extrusion coating and converting operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production. You will work closely with production, engineering, maintenance, quality, and supply chain teams to achieve operational excellence and meet business objectives. This role is critical in driving plant performance, developing employees, fostering continuous improvement, and ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction through reliable manufacturing operations.

How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock

• Lead all plant operations to achieve safety, quality, production, and financial performance objectives.


• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, environmental requirements, and company policies while promoting a culture of safety throughout the facility.


• Direct and coordinate daily production activities to meet customer demand, production schedules, and key performance indicators.


• Support and strengthen quality systems to ensure product consistency, customer satisfaction, and adherence to established specifications.


• Conduct regular operational reviews, audits, and inspections to identify improvement opportunities and implement corrective actions.


• Develop, coach, and lead production teams through training, performance management, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.


• Drive continuous improvement efforts through Lean manufacturing, waste reduction, productivity enhancements, and process optimization.


• Partner with engineering and maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability, manage capital projects, and support preventative maintenance programs.


• Manage plant operating expenses, monitor material utilization, and implement cost-control strategies to improve overall profitability.


• Analyze and communicate plant performance through regular reporting of production metrics, quality results, operational efficiencies, and continuous improvement outcomes.


• Ensure accurate documentation of production activities, inventory management, regulatory compliance, and equipment maintenance records.


• Demonstrate a commitment to safety, quality, continuous improvement, and alignment with Smurfit Westrock's values of safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect.

Required Qualifications

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and manufacturing leadership experience.


• Minimum of 7 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including responsibility for production operations and employee management.


• Experience leading plant operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.


• Demonstrated knowledge of safety, quality, production planning, and operational excellence principles.


• Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate teams while fostering a culture of accountability and engagement.


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.


• Experience managing budgets, controlling costs, and driving operational performance improvements.


• Proficiency with manufacturing systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.


• Ability to work onsite and provide leadership support across operational schedules as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in Lean Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies.


• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives such as Kaizen, 5S, or similar programs.


• In-depth knowledge of extrusion coating processes, converting operations, equipment, and materials.


• Experience with capital project management, equipment upgrades, and manufacturing process automation.


• Background in paper, packaging, coatings, converting, or related manufacturing industries.


• Demonstrated success improving productivity, quality performance, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

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.

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 $121,875.00 - $203,125.00, 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.