Plant Manager - Ajax

Description & Requirements

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.

Job Title

Plant Manager

Reports To

General Manager

Number of Direct Reports

7-12

Revenue Responsibility

N/A

Budget Responsibility

N/A

Position Location

Ajax, ON

Job Summary: The Plant Manager is responsible for the day–to-day activities of maintaining the plant facility operations including safety policies, personnel, housekeeping, maintenance, production activities, customer requirements, planning and scheduling. This role will serve as a member of the management leadership team and must contribute to achieving sales objectives. The Plant Manager will serve as a coach to team members and assist in the development and evaluation of direct reports. Active participation as a Steering Team member to strategically align overall plant goals and WestRock goals. Execute major job responsibilities below working within the Conover Management System and utilization of our pillar and sub-pillar teams.

Major Job Responsibilities: Business Excellence

• Provide leadership and guidance on the coordination of plant activities through planning with Department Managers and Shift Supervisors to ensure the manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Formulate solutions to minimize lead times, as well as maximize product quality, production employee job satisfaction, and profit margin
• Control updates and distribute new and revised safety and quality standards to direct reports
• Evaluate machinery or tools needing maintenance to communicate maintenance work orders
• Develop a working relationship with internal WestRock departments to deliver the most efficient customer care and service
• Manage P&L to control manufacturing and conversion cost within budgetary limits to ensure profitable long-term growth
• Develop and monitor operational forecasts and budgets to improve plant profitability
• Monitor and control waste management to manage production costs and reduce environmental impacts
• Coordinate and maintain an ongoing, effective safety plan to ensure program implementation
• People and Culture
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by staying abreast of best practices and application to WestRock, while staying consistent with company culture
• Facilitate the coordination of relationships with plant level support functions including finance, engineering, materials, quality assurance, and human resources, to ensure alignment with overall plant operations
• Review customer requirements and specifications to identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions to increase customer satisfaction
• Build effective partnership with union and union stewards (as applicable) to improve overall plant production
• Establish all shift production schedules to control and monitor labor staffing needs
• Develop and coach employees to their full potential by providing challenging opportunities that enhance employee career growth
• Coach and counsel team members to perform in accordance with WestRock culture, values, and standards
• Communicate new ideas to support fulfillment of department goals and procedures for continuous improvement, retention of customer base, company profitability, and employee job satisfaction
• Develop and manage defined communication channels across various stakeholder groups to build effective relationships and produce superior products

Critical Skills / Capabilities:

• 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
• Growth and Results Oriented: Delivers personal and/or organizational results by successfully influencing others (i.e. co-workers, other teams, external partners, etc.) within a matrixed organization; delivers high quality work within the stipulated time period to achieve maximum results
• Leadership: Leads and motivates a team of people to achieve performance excellence; ability to read people and situations to adjust approach accordingly; proactively leads and enforces initiatives that drive organizational effectiveness; teaches others how to build trust-based relationships
• 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

Technical Skills:

• Microsoft Office - Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
• KIWI scheduling software
• Strong computer skills

Work Environment:

• Fast paced, JIT (just-in-time) environment
• Frequent standing and walking in a climate-controlled environment; may experience exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures; exposure to machinery conditions of over 100⁰F; ability to operate or learn to operate heavy equipment; maintain strict adherence to safety rules and regulations

Experience:

• Required: 7 to 10 years of experience in manufacturing industry; 7+ years of related leadership experience in a production facility
• Preferred: Mechanical background, corrugated industry experience, continuous improvement background / Six Sigma certification

Education:

• Required: High School diploma or G.E.D.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree

Reports to: General Manager

Back-up responsibilities: Maybe called upon to perform some General Manager duties if needed.

Essential: Sitting, Standing, Walking – around facility to include up and down stairs.

Marginal Functions: Lifting, Bending, Climbing

This posting is for an existing job vacancy. The annual salary rate for this position is $148000-$198000. To learn more about this posting, please contact your recruiter during the hiring process. You may apply online at Smurfit Westrock External Careers.

As part of our commitment to accessibility for all persons with disabilities, Smurfit Westrock will, upon the request of the applicant, provide accommodation during the recruitment process to ensure equal access to applicants with disabilities. Please contact Smurfit Westrock, Human Resources about your needs, and we will consult with you to ensure suitable accommodation is provided. For all feedback on equity and accommodation needs, please contact Human Resources.

This document is available in an accessible format upon request.

Physical Requirements:

Never

Occasionally

Frequently

Constantly

Sitting

X

Standing

X

Walking

X

Driving

X

Climbing

X

Carrying

X

Stooping

X

Kneeling

X

Bending

X

Reaching

X

Lifting (amount in LBS)

0-25 lbs

Lifting Overhead

X

Pushing/Pulling

X

Grasping

X

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.