Continuous Improvement Leader

Smurfit Westrock • Holland, MI • 2h ago

Career Opportunity

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader plays a key role in building a sustainable culture of employee engagement in continuous improvement and development. This position will act as a change agent to elevate levels of plant performance and deliver high impact results through CI practices and employee development. The CI Leader functions as a member of the site leadership team and is responsible for all operational excellence and world-class manufacturing activities. This role serves as a site resource to drive local CI improvement. The role may also liaison with divisional and site resources to execute productivity strategies and ensure CI activities are aligned with business goals related to Safety, Quality, Cost, Service, and People. Success in this role requires a leader who can effectively drive change in a fast-paced manufacturing environment utilizing continuous improvement methodologies and tools. Sample responsibilities include identifying / prioritizing improvement activities, tracking financial progress, and coaching / mentoring project leaders and teams. The ability to influence and lead others is key to success.

How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock

The CI Leader is responsible for helping drive business results including productivity by leveraging continuous improvement systems, processes, and tools. She/he will help support the deployment of the standard Smurfit Westrock Operating System and build a sustainable culture of employee engagement in continuous improvement. Specific responsibilities Include:

\u2022 Partner with site leaders to ensure site CI priorities are aligned with overall business strategy and goals.

\u2022 Leverage a zero-loss mindset to identify and prioritize areas of improvement.

\u2022 Deliver value by both leading and supporting the focused execution of CI projects.

\u2022 Manage the local pipeline of improvement projects aligned to productivity targets.

\u2022 Work with site leaders to prioritize and assign resources to ensure project success.

\u2022 Build capability in others through coaching and mentoring project leaders and teams.

\u2022 Improve team efficiency and skill through development of learning programs and internal training courses.

\u2022 Identify and train internal on-the-job technical trainers.

\u2022 Support implementation of enterprise initiatives including Daily Management System, Problem-Solving Practices, and Reliability Excellence.

\u2022 Coordinate regular progress reviews of CI projects with project leaders and site leadership.

\u2022 Function as a liaison to the divisional Operational Excellence team.

\u2022 Tracking and reporting of results including cost / productivity benefits.

\u2022 Ensuring all projects and savings are properly documented in the WestRock productivity tracker.

\u2022 Sharing best practices within and outside of the site.

\u2022 Supporting the enterprise Learning & Development framework, processes, and tools in partnership with the operations and support of technical floor trainers.

What You Need to Succeed

\u2022 Bachelor\u2019s or Associate degree in a technical field preferred but not required.

\u2022 Prior experience in a manufacturing role is required. Paper and packaging experience is a plus.

\u2022 Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred but not required. Will be required to complete Smurfit Westrock Yellow Belt and Green Belt training within 6 months of hire and become certified within 18 months.

\u2022 Knowledge and skill of continuous improvement tools including structured problem-solving methodology

\u2022 Experience with leading team-based process improvement projects for manufacturing applications with proven results.

\u2022 Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

\u2022 Ability to lead and influence to drive positive change

\u2022 Demonstrated ability to coach, teach, and mentor others

What We Offer

\u2022 Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability and excellence

\u2022 An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies and potential

\u2022 A generous benefits package starting on your first day of employment, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401k match, paid time off

\u2022 Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities

\u2022 A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety and inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work

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 safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

Similar Jobs

Secretary

Allegan County • Allegan, MI • 1h ago

Management & Administrative

Allegan County has much to offer, with 24 Townships, 9 Cities, and 2 Villages across nearly 900 square miles. The landscapes range from the lakeshore to beautifully wooded lands, our County's natural resources are a gift...

1h ago

Go to Apply

Supply Chain Intern

Grand Rapids Chair Company • Byron Center, MI • 2h ago

Manufacturing & Warehouse

Supply Chain Intern About the Organization Are you looking for a company that values work-life balance, offers benefits like tuition reimbursement and paid volunteer hours, and fosters a transparent, employee-focused cul...

2h ago

Go to Apply

1st Shift Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Aerotek • Grandville, MI • 2h ago

Manufacturing & Warehouse

Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Grand Rapids MI 1st Shift $22-26+/hour Weekly Pay Job Description Join our team as a 1st Shift Mechanic in the Truck Shop, working from 8am to 5pm with some flexibility. This position involves h...

2h ago

Go to Apply

Administrative Assistant

Robert Half • Allegan, MI • 7h ago

Management & Administrative

Description We are looking for a detail-oriented Administrative Assistant to support our Central Dispatch Team in Allegan, Michigan. This contract position involves performing a range of administrative and clerical tasks...

7h ago

Go to Apply

Sales Representative

Refloor • Kentwood, MI • 12h ago

Sales & Marketing

In-Home Sales Consultant - No Experience Needed, We'll Train You! Ready to break free from a boring desk job and step into a career with unlimited potential? Join Refloor, the fastest-growing flooring company in America,...

12h ago

Go to Apply

Qdoba Cook - Grand Valley State Univ.

ARAMARK • Allendale, MI • 17h ago

Retail & Hospitality

Job Description The Food Service Worker will assist the manager with food/meal preparation; maintain cash receipts and meal records. Assist manager in completing daily reports. Maintain high standards of quality in food...

17h ago

Go to Apply

Restaurant To Go Server

On The Border • Kentwood, MI • 18h ago

Retail & Hospitality

Compensation: Up to $15/HR You have that dazzling smile and award-winning personality! So do our TO GO Servers! At On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina we celebrate bringing people together! It's our mission to Have...

18h ago

Go to Apply

Security Flex Officer - Manufacturing Facility

Allied Universal • Holland, MI • 19h ago

Management & Administrative

Company Overview: Allied Universal®, North America's leading security and facility services company, offers rewarding careers that provide you a sense of purpose. While working in a dynamic, welcoming, and collaborative...

19h ago

Go to Apply

Warehouse Safety & Training Specialist

SpartanNash • Byron Center, MI • 1d ago

Manufacturing & Warehouse

As a member of the C&S Wholesale Grocers family of companies, SpartanNash is a food solutions company that delivers the ingredients for a better life. A distributor, wholesaler and retailer with a global supply chain...

1d ago

Go to Apply

Specialist, Parts

Global Industrial • Kentwood, MI • 1d ago

Manufacturing & Warehouse

Specialist, Parts Date: Mar 19, 2026 Location: Kentwood, Michigan, US, 49512 Global Industrial For over 70 years Global Industrial has been an industry leader providing private label and brand name industrial equipment a...

1d ago

Go to Apply

Subscribe to get new jobs sent directly to you
(no charge, cancel anytime)

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.