Process Improvement Manager

Smurfit-Westrock; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock seeks a Process Improvement Manager in Lansing, MI to lead continuous improvement initiatives across the site. You will act as a change agent, drive plant performance, and mentor project teams while aligning CI with Safety, Quality, Cost, Service and People goals.

You will partner with site leaders, prioritize improvements using a zero-loss mindset, and help deploy enterprise CI programs. The role requires manufacturing experience and strong facilitation and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Must have manufacturing experience
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred but not required
• Willingness to complete Yellow Belt/Green Belt within 6–18 months
• Ability to coach and mentor project leaders and teams
• Experience leading CI projects for manufacturing with results

Responsibilities

• Partner with site leaders to align CI priorities with business goals
• Identify and prioritize improvement activities; track financial progress
• Lead and support focused execution of CI projects
• Manage the local pipeline of improvement projects tied to productivity targets
• Coach and mentor project teams and site leaders
• Support deployment of WestRock Operating System and Reliability Excellence
• Coordinate progress reviews with site leadership and divisional team
• Document projects and savings in productivity tracker

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Project leadership

Continuous improvement tools

Problem-solving

Education

Technical degree preferred

Tools

Structured problem-solving

Job description

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.

Process Improvement Manager - Lansing, MI

The Opportunity:

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader plays a key role in building a sustainable culture of employee engagement in continuous improvement. This position will act as a change agent to elevate levels of plant performance and deliver high impact results. The CI Leader functions as a member of the site leadership team and is responsible for all operational excellence and world class manufacturing activities. This role serves as a site resource to drive local CI improvement. The role may also liaison with divisional and site resources to execute productivity strategies and ensure CI activities are aligned with business goals related to Safety, Quality, Cost, Service, and People. Success in this role requires a leader who can effectively drive change in a fast paced manufacturing environment utilizing continuous improvement methodologies and tools. Sample responsibilities include identifying / prioritizing improvement activities, tracking financial progress, and coaching / mentoring project leaders and teams. The ability to influence and lead others is key to success.

How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock:

The CI Leader is responsible for helping drive business results including productivity by leveraging continuous improvement systems, processes, and tools. She/he will help support the deployment of the standard WestRock Operating System and build a sustainable culture of employee engagement in continuous improvement. Specific responsibilities Include:

• Partnering with site leaders to ensure site CI priorities are aligned with overall business strategy and goals.
• Leverage a zero-loss mindset to identify and prioritize areas of improvement.
• Deliver value by both leading and supporting the focused execution of CI projects.
• Manage the local pipeline of improvement projects aligned to productivity targets.
• Work with site leaders to prioritize and assign resources to ensure project success.
• Build capability in others through coaching and mentoring project leaders and teams.
• Support implementation of enterprise initiatives including Daily Management System, Problem-Solving Practices, and Reliability Excellence.
• Coordinate regular progress reviews of CI projects with project leaders and site leadership.
• Function as a liaison to the divisional Operational Excellence team.
• Tracking and reporting of results including cost / productivity benefits.
• Ensuring all projects and savings are properly documented in the WestRock productivity tracker.
• Sharing best practices within and outside of the site.
• Supporting the enterprise Learning & Development framework, processes, and tools in partnership with the operations and support of technical floor trainers.

What You Need to Succeed:

• B.S or A.S in a technical field preferred but not required.
• Prior experience in a manufacturing role is required. Paper and packaging experience is a plus.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred but not required. Will be required to complete WestRock Yellow Belt and Green Belt training within 6 months of hire and become certified within 18 months.
• Knowledge and skill of continuous improvement tools including structured problem-solving methodology
• Experience with leading team-based process improvement projects for manufacturing applications with proven results.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and influence to drive positive change
• Demonstrated ability to coach, teach, and mentor others

What We Offer:

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• Competitive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential
• A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are foundational to how we operate
• Competitive total rewards package including medical, dental, and vision coverage options starting on your first day
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions and flexible spending account (FSA) options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and automatic contributions to support your long-term financial goals
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage for financial protection
• Mental health support and wellness programs designed to promote overall well-being
• Generous paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and paid parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Additional voluntary benefits such as legal services, identity protection, pet insurance, and more

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.