Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

UNKNOWN; Missouri; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit WestRock is seeking a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist to lead recruitment across multiple business segments, including non-exempt production, skilled trades, and salary roles. You will design and execute innovative talent strategies, partner with HR and leaders, and deliver a world-class candidate experience.

You will influence workforce planning decisions, mentor peers, and drive employer branding initiatives while navigating a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years corporate recruiting experience; agency a plus.
• Proven diversity recruiting experience.
• Ability to translate data into actionable hiring strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement recruiting strategies focused on speed, quality, diversity, and candidate experience.
• Source proactively and build pipelines using creative strategies and grassroots efforts.
• Collaborate with HR Business Partners and hiring managers to understand workforce needs and deliver tailored solutions.
• Act as an external employment market expert, advising on talent trends, competitor practices, and sourcing strategies.
• Drive employer branding initiatives to position Smurfit WestRock as an employer of choice.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws and internal policies throughout the recruitment process.
• Optimize recruitment technology and tools to improve efficiency and candidate engagement.
• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, including intake sessions, interview facilitation, and post-interview debriefs.
• Analyze recruiting data and performance metrics to identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Mentor and guide less experienced team members, sharing best practices and industry insights.
• Influence stakeholders through data-driven insights and strategic consultation on talent acquisition best practices.
• Participate in employer branding campaigns and community outreach to strengthen talent pipelines.
• Other duties, as assigned

Skills

Talent acquisition

Stakeholder management

Diversity recruiting

Data-driven decisions

Analytical thinking

Communication

Leadership mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Opportunity

We are seeking a progressive, high-energy Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist to lead recruitment efforts across multiple business segments for Non-Exempt high-volume production, Skilled Trades & Salary Non-Exempt roles. In this role, you will design and execute innovative talent acquisition strategies that attract top talent and support our organization’s growth. You will partner closely with HR and business leaders to ensure alignment with workforce planning and deliver a world-class candidate experience. This position offers autonomy, strategic influence, and the opportunity to mentor peers while driving impactful recruiting initiatives.

How You Will Impact Smurfit WestRock

• Develop and implement recruiting strategies focused on speed, quality, diversity, and candidate experience.
• Proactively source and build pipelines using creative strategies and grassroots efforts.
• Collaborate with HR Business Partners and hiring managers to understand workforce needs and deliver tailored solutions.
• Act as an external employment market expert, advising on talent trends, competitor practices, and sourcing strategies.
• Drive employer branding initiatives to position Smurfit WestRock as an employer of choice.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws and internal policies throughout the recruitment process.
• Optimize recruitment technology and tools to improve efficiency and candidate engagement.
• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, including intake sessions, interview facilitation, and post-interview debriefs.
• Analyze recruiting data and performance metrics to identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Mentor and guide less experienced team members, sharing best practices and industry insights.
• Influence stakeholders through data-driven insights and strategic consultation on talent acquisition best practices.
• Participate in employer branding campaigns and community outreach to strengthen talent pipelines.
• Other duties, as assigned

What You Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of corporate recruiting experience; agency experience is a plus.
• Proven success in developing and executing diversity recruiting strategies.
• Strong business acumen and ability to align talent strategies with organizational goals.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make strategic recommendations.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills to engage stakeholders and candidates.
• Experience recruiting across multiple levels and functions (professional, technical, leadership).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to travel for site visits, recruiting events, and training as required.