Project Manager of Lean Excellence

International Paper; United States; Hybrid; USD 137,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

International Paper is seeking a Project Manager of Lean Excellence to drive scalable operational improvements across the Containerboard business. You will be a hands-on change agent, partnering with mill teams to deploy lean tools, lead Kaizen events, and embed standard work and problem-solving into daily operations.

The role requires a strong background in continuous manufacturing, 5+ years of experience, and the ability to influence across functions while traveling up to 90% of the time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in business, engineering, operations management, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of continuous manufacturing experience with proven change leadership skills.
• Demonstrated success utilizing and deploying lean tools.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, coaching and change leadership skills.
• Ability to influence without formal authority across multiple functions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Implement lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Standard Work, Visual Management, SMED and Value Stream Mapping.
• Drive waste elimination, process flow optimization, and variation reduction.
• Facilitate structured problem solving using A3, DMAIC, 5-Why, RCFA, and similar methodologies.
• Deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Use data to identify gaps and execute improvement plans with mill teams.
• Document best practices and share improvements.
• Understand and apply financial drivers and KPIs.
• Lead and coach CI events/kaizen with hands-on participation.
• Develop and deliver training materials to ensure CI concepts are understood.

Skills

Lean tools

Analytical skills

Facilitation

Coaching

Change leadership

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred in business, engineering, operations management, or related field

Tools

A3 problem solving

DMAIC

Kaizen

Job description

Job Description

Position Title:

Project Manager of Lean Excellence

Pay Rate

$137,400 - $185,000

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Category/Shift

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location

Remote

or

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN

The Job You Will Perform

This position requires 90% travel

The Project Manager of Lean Excellence will propagate scalable operational improvement across the Containerboard business through lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and disciplined execution. The Lean Leader will serve as a hands‑on change agent, partnering with mill teams to deploy lean tools and methodologies, lead Kaizen events, and embed standard work and problem‑solving capabilities into daily operations.

The ideal candidate will have significant and relevant direct manufacturing experience using and leading continuous improvement tools, systems, and methodologies. The candidate must be a proven shop floor leader who is comfortable influencing others, coaching teams, and delivering measurable gains in safety, quality, delivery and cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Standard Work, Visual Management, SMED and Value Stream Mapping
• Drive waste elimination, process flow optimization, and variation reduction
• Facilitate structured problem solving using A3, DMAIC, 5-Why, RCFA, and similar methodologies
• Deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost

Process Optimization & Execution

• Use data to identify gaps in performance versus best practices and work with the mill team to execute an improvement plan
• Document best practices and share improvements to leverage results
• Understand and apply financial drivers and key performance indicators

Culture & Capability Building

• Assist with implementing and managing systems that will sustain improvement efforts
• Lead and coach CI events / kaizen through hands‑on participation
• Assist with developing and effectively delivering training materials in multiple formats to ensure team members throughout the organization are trained in CI concepts and philosophy
• Evaluate and drive opportunities for appropriate CI and lean tool applications
• Provide support, assistance, and communication to the mill leadership teams regarding CI initiatives

The Qualifications, Skills And Knowledge You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree preferred in business, engineering, operations management, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of continuous manufacturing experience with proven change leadership skills
• Demonstrated success utilizing and deploying lean tools
• Strong analytical, facilitation, coaching and change leadership skills
• Ability to influence without formal authority across multiple functions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

About Us

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short‑term and Long‑term Disability, 401(k), Company‑funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets

The Career You Will Build

Leadership training, promotional opportunities

The Impact You Will Make

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.

The Culture You Will Experience

International Paper promotes employee well‑being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join

International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) creates sustainable packaging solutions that enable our customers, teammates and shareowners to thrive in an ever‑changing world. We are a leader in corrugated packaging, partnering with customers across industries to protect what matters most, strengthen supply chains and create lasting value. Learn more at internationalpaper.com.

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].