Production Manager

Smurfit-Westrock; Murfreesboro (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401k with match

Job summary

Smurfit WestRock is seeking a Converting Production Manager to lead a team in delivering safe, efficient, and high‑quality packaging production. You will drive schedules, optimize processes, and coordinate with leadership to meet budgets and customer commitments.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of supervisory experience in the corrugated/converting industry, strong machinery troubleshooting skills, and a proven track record in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Associate degree or higher in Business, Applied Science or Technical field preferred.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience in corrugated/converting.
• Knowledge of machinery and how to identify issues and troubleshoot equipment.
• Demonstrated lean and continuous improvement experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all employees and customers, verbally and in writing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to learn proprietary software for Corrugated Manufacturing systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to meet objectives for production volumes, quality, safety, and budget.
• Maintain safe work environment and ensure policy compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and optimize production schedules.
• Analyze production data (OEE, downtime, waste) to identify causes of problems.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop methods to improve product quality and reduce delays.
• Manage workforce planning and maintain staffing levels.
• Foster teamwork and effective communication across shifts and departments.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Communication skills

Machinery troubleshooting

MS Office

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate degree in Business/Applied Science (Technical) Preferred

Tools

Corrugated Manufacturing systems

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.

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.

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.