Smurfit Westrock, a FTSE 100 company, is one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging solutions in the world, operating across 36 countries with around 48,000 employees in over 350 production sites. Our shared purpose is that we create sustainable products and solutions that are essential; that we protect what we, and our stakeholders, care about; and that we care about our customers, each other, our wider community, and the planet.
Bag-in-Box® is a of packaging for many industries such as wine, juice, , and also non-food applications such as and . Our is the most commonly used for Bag-in-Box® wines and juices in the world for its exceptional and consistent quality - with a leak rate of less than 1 in 85 million since its launch.
We are now looking for a highly qualified General Manager to join our team and lead our new green-field Bag in Box company in Anderson, South Carolina. The General Manager will report to the CEO and become a member of the Divisional Executive Committee.
The GM will have Profit & Loss responsibility and will actively lead the start-up and continued growth of this new factory within a large region. Your role involves the delicate balance of ensuring effective manufacturing while driving profitable sales and ensuring that the Business Unit consistently meets its operational and financial targets. This responsibility comes in an environment characterized by high efficiency, profitability, creativity, and employee well-being.
The ideal candidate will have a combination of a strong leadership capabilities within the flexible packaging industry, communication skills, and solid familiarity with managing big capital expenditure projects.
About the role and key responsibilities
Be the champion and ensure that all health, safety, quality, environmental issues are identified and appropriately managed in line with company stated policies.Own and manage the P&L by taking strategic direction to ensure delivery of ROI and continued growth with a large and complex market. Take the necessary decisions within the framework of established budgets, authorization, and authorization instructions.Be the operational expert for your region, champion operational excellence, own end-to-end operational improvements, advising teams and influencing innovation across the company.Apply your deep understanding of the business mechanics to manage revenue and cost line items to target and conduct regular analysis on your region identifying trends and implementing recommendations to grow and optimize. Establish budgets, RFQs, flash, and mid-month forecasts.Develop and review strategies and the operating agenda to produce growth and maximize EBITDA. Actively monitor changing market conditions, anticipate competitive activity, and plan for and implement effective responses to new trends. Act as the main point of contact to the region and partners with the Government Relations team to develop policy and strategy for the region.Lead the organization through vision setting and by inspiring and motivating the employees at all levels so that they can grow individually to their full potential. Attract and develop top-tier operational talent while cultivating a high-performing, values-driven culture driven by regular feedback, clear accountability, and proactive performance management.Manage cross-functional strategies with a global impact and partner cross-functionally to drive product and operational excellence organization wide.
Complexities of the role:
Actively drive exponential capital expenditure, factory start-up and market growth in North America.Build company culture with top-tier talent.Play a critical role in strengthening the company across North America.Deliver strong long-term results in a very competitive market.Working within a decentralized organization.
We are looking for someone who:
Brings extensive (at least 10 years) as a highly cross-functional visionary general manager within an operation, management consultancy, financial, business analyst, or equivalent role. Experience in owning a P&L is mandatory.At least 5 years leadership experience is required, with an agility to engage with people remotely in a decentralized organization.Demonstrated background in driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.You love building top-tier teams and have a demonstrated background in developing and motivating your team to perform at their best. You strive for an inclusive work environment where everyone matters. Advanced understanding metrics and KPIs and the levers to pull to drive results. Proven analytical skills: ability to link strategies and objectives to develop a plan. Excellent communicator with the ability to flex your communication style to internal stakeholders - such as the C-team or your own team - and external stakeholders such as local government.Comfortable in identifying and resolving complex issues, exercising good judgment in drawing conclusions, while navigating ambiguous environmentsSuperior presentation skills, both in development of compelling stories and in presenting them at all levels within customer and internal organization.Decisive, action-oriented, and able to manage deliverables effectively. Strong sense of ownership and flexibility when operational challenges occur. Energetic, high attention to detail and proven ability to autonomously manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Be part of our Inclusive, Diverse and Equal work environment
In Smurfit Westrock we promote all forms of diversity at all levels of the organization. EveryOne means all of us; every single person that makes up Smurfit Westrock who has something unique to give and hidden talents to unpack. EveryOne aims to make sure that each of us feels supported, accepted and respected in our daily work. We welcome and look forward to applications by candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.