Production Supervisor

Smurfit Westrock; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Converting Supervisor to lead the production shift in a high-demand packaging facility in Illinois. You will supervise operators, manage safety, quality, and delivery, and drive continuous improvement across processes.

The role requires 3+ years in corrugator/converting supervision, Lean/Six Sigma experience, and strong problem-solving, communication, and coaching skills. Demanding but rewarding, with competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or G.E.D. – Required
• Bachelor’s degree (Business Management, Engineering or Operations Management) - Preferred
• 3+ years of corrugator / converting supervisory experience in a packaging facility – Required
• Experience working in a Lean environment; Six Sigma Green or Black Belt Certification.
• Proven experience in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain.
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Proven track record of effective problem-solving.
• Ability to embrace continuous improvement.
• Strong collaboration and teaming skills with stakeholders across functions.
• Ability to coach and train employees.
• Ability to be an on-shift resource for troubleshooting problems in the process as well as maintenance issues.
• Ability to make independent, effective decisions.
• Possess the ability to be a self-directed team player.
• Flexibility to work multiple shifts.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the shift with focus on safety, quality, delivery and cost
• Act as first point of contact for operators regarding mechanical failure or production issues
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and enforce control procedures
• Coordinate production activities with other departments to meet goals in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Monitor production activities to eliminate waste and ensure adherence to schedules
• Input production data into system to measure KPIs around efficiencies, downtime and inventory
• Provide recommendations to improve safety, environmental and health of the facility
• Produce daily reports on shift production and review daily goals
• Control load factors and workflow to maximize capacity and labor efficiency
• Coach and develop staff through performance reviews and training
• Recruit, orient, train employees and develop growth opportunities
• Direct maintenance to troubleshoot problems and perform preventative maintenance
• Enforce safety regulations and promote safety culture
• Ensure staff follow company standards and meet customer commitments

Skills

Corrugator/Converting supervision

Lean

Six Sigma Green/Black Belt

Communication

Problem solving

Collaboration

Coaching

Shift troubleshooting

Education

High School diploma or G.E.D.

Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Engineering or Operations Management

Tools

None

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 Converting Supervisor will be responsible for managing the production department employees in order to meet manufacturing and production schedules, coordinating production operations and maintaining effective quality procedures and safety regulations for the facility.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the shift with constant emphasis on safety, quality, delivery and cost
• Acts as first point of contact for operators regarding mechanical failure or production issues
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and enforce control procedures, recommending improvements to the Plant Superintendent, as appropriate
• Coordinates production activities with other departments to ensure production goals/objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Monitor production activities to eliminate waste and ensure adherence to production and shipping schedules
• Input production data accurately into system to measure and monitor KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) around efficiencies, downtime, inventory and overall production
• Provide recommendations to improve safety, environmental and health of the entire facility
• Produce daily reports on daily shift production and daily shift review to assess if daily goals are met
• Control load factors and workflow to ensure maximum use of available capacity and effective use of labor, tools and equipment.
• Manage and coach employees, providing performance reviews and enforcing disciplinary actions.
• Maintain staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training employees, and developing individual growth opportunities.
• Directs maintenance employees to troubleshoot mechanical problems and perform preventative maintenance.
• Enforce adherence to plant safety regulations and encourage employees to become safety- conscious.
• Ensure daily that plant personnel follow all company standards and meet all customer commitments.

What you need to succeed:

• High School diploma or G.E.D. – Required
• Bachelor’s degree (Business Management, Engineering or Operations Management) - Preferred
• 3+ years of corrugator / converting supervisory experience in a packaging facility – Required.
• Experience working in a Lean environment; Six Sigma Green or Black Belt Certification.
• Proven experience in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Proven track record of effective problem-solving
• Ability to embrace continuous improvement.
• Strong collaboration and teaming skills with stakeholders across functions
• Ability to coach and train employees
• Ability to be an on-shift resource for troubleshooting problems in the process as well as maintenance issues.
• Ability to make independent, effective decisions.
• Possess the ability to be a self-directed team player.
• Flexibility to work multiple shifts.

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.

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 $74,625.00 - $124,375.00, 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.