Smurfit Westrock is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging, operating in 40 countries with over 500 packaging converting operations and 59 paper mills. With the circular economy at the core of our business, we use renewable, recyclable and recycled materials to create sustainable packaging solutions. For home and beauty products, our paper-based consumer packaging solutions combine elevated form and reliable function to meet the needs of today’s brands and shoppers. Our team of over 100,000 professionals drives operations across 40 countries on 6 continents and Smurfit Westrock are proud to be included on TIME Magazine’s World’s Best Companies 2025 list for the second year running.
Our Consumer Packaging business in Europe supplies paper-based packaging, leaflets and labels for a wide variety of household names in industries such as food and beverage, healthcare, beauty and personal care, premium wines and spirits, and much, much more.
With more than 5,500 colleagues across 10 countries and ~34 operating locations, Smurfit Westrock's European Consumer Packaging operation is ideally positioned to provide innovative, sustainable packaging solutions to customers across the globe.
Our Values
Safety, Loyalty, Integrity and Respect are the core values and foundations on which our organisation is built. Our values are who we are: People who value life above all else; People who do the right thing, always. People who show a deep respect for each other and all of our differences. We are a team of over 100,000 people that are united behind a shared commitment to create, protect and care - We are Smurfit Westrock.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Manufacturing Manager, the Labels Operation Manager is responsible for end-to-end management of label manufacturing within a fast-paced pharma and healthcare facility. The role ensures high quality compliant and on time delivery of labels for blue chip pharmaceutical customers while providing strong leadership to the production team. The operations manager oversees daily operations, job creation, master specifications and continuous improvement initiatives maintaining strong commercial awareness and technical capability to support both customer needs and business performance.
Job Responsibilities/Key accountabilities:
Oversee day-to-day activities within the label production department.Manage the complete production lifecycle from job creation to final delivery.Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining quality compliance and safety standards.Monitor and analyze production KPI’s.Manage capacity planning, workflow organization and shift planning.Ensure proper utilization of equipment, materials and labor.
Customer service & Stakeholder management
Serve as a primary operational contact for blue chip pharma clients, ensuring service excellence and proactive communication.Maintain strong awareness of commercial requirements, cost drivers and customer expectations.
Technical & Process Management
Oversee job creation, master specification setup, and technical documentation for all label products.Ensure all jobs meet GMP, regulatory and quality compliance requirements.Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste and enhance workflow efficiency.Lead improvement projects across equipment utilization, quality performance and process automation.
Quality and Compliance
Ensure production adheres to quality standards specification and procedures.Work closely with quality assurance team to implement corrective and preventative actions.Maintain regulatory and compliance standards.
Health and Safety
Ensure all plant safety policies are adhered to ensure a safe working environment.Lead safety audits, risk assessment and incident investigations.Promote continuous safety culture improvement.
Team Management
Lead, coach and develop the team.Drive a culture of high-performance accountability and continuous improvement.Oversee training and performance reviews for the team.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience
Minimum 5 years’ experience managing teams within a label print facility.
Environmental, Health and Safety
It is your responsibility to co-operate with Smurfit Westrock in relation to all health, safety and environmental topics. This includes working to the practices shown during training that will be provided to you and the company's health, safety and environmental policies. You will be expected to work in accordance with local site practices and not to interfere with or misuse anything that's been provided for your health, safety or welfare
Other Requirements
Flexible and adaptable to change and prepared to take on additional responsibilities with other duties as required to meet business needs. Successfully adapts to changing demands and conditions. Be able to be self-motivated, standards driven, with a keen eye for detail whilst being team focused and harnessing collaboration and co-operation of others.