Description & Requirements
Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.
Job Purpose
As General Manager, you will be responsible for fostering a high-performance culture that drives employee engagement and operational excellence across the site. You will lead initiatives that promote open communication, recognition, and collaboration, ensuring all team members feel valued, heard, and empowered. By actively engaging with employees at all levels, you will champion a positive work environment, support professional development, and implement strategies that enhance morale, retention, and productivity. Your leadership will be instrumental in creating a workplace where people thrive and contribute meaningfully to the success of the business.
Job Responsibilities/Key accountabilities:
1. Lead the management team and take responsibility for all operational activity
2. Define the optimum organization structure and recruit, develop, motivate and manage a manufacturing team that maximizes its performance potential and meets current and future business needs
3. Clearly define and communicate the manufacturing strategy for the site and a framework of operating standards to satisfy business plan objectives and achieve site and regional objectives
4. Manage effective short term business planning and forecasting in line with site and regional goals, to achieve current year profit targets whilst ensuring longer term profitability
5. Assist in defining medium-long term plans to ensure that products and service offerings match existing and emerging market needs and the achievement of business returns in line with the company’s strategic goals
6. Control operations to optimize throughput and efficiency to achieve maximum unit margin whilst minimizing waste and ensuring customer expectations for quality and delivery are met on time and in full
7. Manage the manufacturing and site management processes to ensure best practice techniques are employed to achieve maximum operational efficiency and sustained improvements in quality, service and operating costs
8. Ensure financial controls and reporting practices within the business meet compliance expectations
9. Liaise with senior leadership and corporate functions such as purchasing, quality and sales to align site business objectives and operations to wider business objectives
10. Championing Smurfit Westrock strategy in relation to IBP and Play to Win
11. Develop and implement capital projects which improve/maintain the operational performance of the business on time and within budget
12. Liaise with finance to develop and monitor operational forecasts and budgets to improve plant profitability
13. Manage P&L to control manufacturing and conversion cost within budgetary limits to ensure profitable long-term growth
14. Chair and attend meetings as required, produce data and present reports for a range of audiences
15. Ensure alignment within the wider region
16. Take on other projects and responsibilities as required
17. Work with customers on specific projects to ensure their expectations are met within an approved framework
18. The facilitation of customer facing activities and communications including customer visits and preparation of information to establish and develop professional working relationships with customers
19. To provide governance on quality and ensure strategies in place concerning site compliance activities relating to safety, health and environmental requirements and audit activity to support the company’s products and reputation as an employer of choice and a quality supplier
20. Formulate solutions to minimize lead times, as well as maximize product quality
21. Develop a working relationship with internal Smurfit Westrock departments to deliver the most efficient customer care and service
22. Review customer requirements and specifications to identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions to increase customer satisfaction
23. Provide authoritative guidance and advice to direct reports and mentor and coach employees to develop, motivate, improve knowledge and fulfill their potential to meet current and future business needs
24. Establish consistency in the application of operating standards and compliance with safety, health and environmental legislation and Group policy
25. Manage employment relations and consultation/negotiation processes with staff and their representatives to implement, on an ongoing basis, best working practices and operational methods in order to maintain Unit competitiveness
26. Manage production schedules and manpower planning within budgeted plans to ensure production can meet customer delivery requirements at minimum cost to the business
27. Champion a culture of continuous improvement and process excellence
28. Develop and coach employees to their full potential and build a talent pipeline to facilitate succession planning and future skills requirements
29. Coach and counsel team members to perform in accordance with Smurfit Westrock culture, values, and standards
30. Communicate new ideas to support fulfillment of department goals and procedures for continuous improvement, retention of customer base, company profitability, and employee job satisfaction
31. Develop and manage defined communication channels across various stakeholder groups to build effective relationships and produce superior products
32. Lead the people agenda to ensure Safety, Health and Engagement targets are achieved, improved and clearly understood by all.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience
33. Demonstrable experience of previous leadership experience in an Operational/Commercial role at a Senior Level
34. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
35. Excellent planning and organizational skills
36. Demonstrable experience of creating/implementing strategy
37. Project management and problem-solving skills such as 6 Sigma, or another recognized Business Improvement Technique and evidence of having effectively managed significant change
38. Presentation/communication skills
39. Strong emotional intelligence and resilience
40. Competent in using Microsoft Office packages
41. Awareness of current Safety, Health, Environmental and Employment, legislation.
42. Possess good knowledge of budgeting and planning
43. Ability to productively challenge and debate issues of importance to the organization
44. Persuasive with details and facts
45. Delegates effectively coaching team to maximize potential and deliver high performance
46. Strong budget management/cost control
47. Quality and efficiency focused with a concern for standards
48. Results focused
49. Engages with people and demonstrates an inclusive leadership style