Production Manager

Smurfit Westrock Company; Murfreesboro (TN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit WestRock is seeking a Converting Production Manager to lead a manufacturing team in Murfreesboro, TN. You will manage direct reports, coordinate production activities, and drive objectives across production volumes, quality, safety, inventory, and customer satisfaction.

You will revise schedules, analyze production data, and collaborate with leadership to implement improvements and ensure on-time delivery while maintaining plant standards and union relations.

Qualifications

• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement mindset is essential.
• Strong leadership and people-management capabilities are required.
• Ability to analyze processes and drive efficiencies across operations.
• Excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production schedules and team performance to meet output goals.
• Monitor safety, quality, and efficiency while controlling costs and budgets.
• Collaborate with leadership to implement process improvements and best practices.
• Maintain relationships with union leadership and ensure adherence to the collective bargaining agreement.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Conflict resolution

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate degree or higher in Business, Applied Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Corrugated Manufacturing systems software

Job description

The Opportunity:

The Converting Production Manager will manage direct reports, coordinate manufacturing activities utilizing knowledge of product functions, production methods, procedures and machine and equipment capabilities. You will lead your team in setting the objectives and ensure that these objectives are met. These objectives include, but are not limited to, production volumes, quality, safety, inventory, customer satisfaction, as well as meeting fiscal budgets.

How you will impact Smurfit WestRock

• Maintain safe and clean work environment by educating and directing personnel on the use of all control points, equipment, and resources; ensure compliance with established Smurfit WestRock policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and Smurfit WestRock regulations and guidelines to uphold quality expectations of customer and company.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and monitor all control procedures, recommending improvements to the General Manager as appropriate.
• Revise production schedules and priorities as needed because of equipment failure, operating problems, or last-minute customer demands.
• Review and analyze production reports (OEE, downtime, waste, etc.) to determine causes of nonconformity with product specifications, and/or operating or production problems.
• Collaborate with the General Manager in the development and implementation of operating methods and procedures designed to eliminate operating problems and improve product quality
• Develop strong relationships with key members of the organization to better understand the overall business and upstream and downstream connections to prevent possible delays in production and shipment and impact on customer satisfaction
• Ensure all Smurfit WestRock standards and customer commitments (i.e., safety, waste reductions, R&A, output, and on-time delivery) are followed within the plant
• Partner with Plant Safety Manager to effectively communicate and enforce the safety program
• Manage workforce planning to ensure proper staffing levels to maintain productivity activities (i.e., order readiness, customer specifications, speed trails, etc.)
• Maintain working relationship with the union by following the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Identify training and development opportunities for facility’s Production Supervisors and monitor progress against performance goals.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with others to complete a task or achieve a common objective; ability to cooperate in both interpersonal and team relationships to foster enthusiasm and maintain mutual trust, candor, and respect for others. Works through conflict constructively
• Adaptability: Demonstrates agility, flexibility, and a willingness to modify one’s approach to achieve desired results; responds quickly to changing demands, processes, and updated information
• Accountability: Holds self and others responsible for actions and results
• Communication: Creates and delivers engaging presentations to internal and external audiences; develops new communication strategies and approaches to communicate data, insights, and critical messages resulting in clear understanding
• Decision-Making: Uses strong problem-solving skills and supporting information to arrive at optimal decisions in an appropriate timeframe; knows when to decide and/or when to seek additional input, and drive for consensus
• Problem-Solving: Applies knowledge to frame, simplify and solve complex issues; focuses on identifying root causes to create solutions in a timely and decisive manner; reconciles conflicting and/or incomplete information to develop solutions.

What you need to succeed

• High School diploma or G.E.D - Required
• Associate degree or higher in Business, Applied Science i.e. Techni cal - Preferred
• 5+ years of supervisory experience in the corrugated/converting industry - Required.
• Knowledge of machinery and how to identify issues and troubleshoot equipment.
• Inspire others to develop themselves and seek out continuous learning opportunities by serving as a role model and seeking out personal developmental opportunities.
• Leverage manufacturing knowledge to achieve business objectives, such as to solve problems, develop new ideas, or build the business.
• Demonstrate a general ability to use multiple methods for measuring employee performance.
• Proven experience with lean and continuous improvement.
• Ability to communicate effectively to all employees and to customers, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal effectively with others in challenging situations, using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to resolve internal and external conflict.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office - Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn proprietary software programs for the Corrugated Manufacturing systems

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 and 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.