Senior Plant Operations Manager – Coating & Converting

Smurfit Westrock; Covington (VA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401k with match

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Employee referral bonus

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Low Moor, VA is seeking an Operations Manager to lead extrusion coating and converting operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production. You will collaborate with production, engineering, maintenance, quality, and supply chain teams to achieve operational excellence and meet business objectives.

The ideal candidate will develop employees, drive continuous improvement through Lean methods, manage plant budgets, and sustain meticulous documentation and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership, with production operations and employee management.
• Experience leading plant operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safety, quality, production planning, and operational excellence principles.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate teams while fostering accountability and engagement.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing budgets, controlling costs, and driving operational performance improvements.
• Proficiency with manufacturing systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work onsite and provide leadership across shifts as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant operations to achieve safety, quality, production, and financial performance objectives.
• Direct daily production activities to meet customer demand, production schedules, and KPIs.
• Develop, coach, and lead production teams through training, performance management, and engagement initiatives.
• Drive Lean manufacturing, waste reduction, productivity enhancements, and process optimization.
• Partner with engineering and maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability and support maintenance programs.
• Analyze plant performance and communicate KPIs, quality results, and continuous improvement outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Safety culture

Process optimization

Data-driven decision making

Budget management

People management

Communication

Problem solving

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Manufacturing systems

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

Smurfit Westrock in Low Moor, VA is seeking an Operations Manager to lead extrusion coating and converting operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production. You will collaborate with production, engineering, maintenance, quality, and supply chain teams to achieve operational excellence and meet business objectives.

The ideal candidate will develop employees, drive continuous improvement through Lean methods, manage plant budgets, and sustain meticulous documentation and