General Manager

General Manager – Conway, Arkansas

The Opportunity:

The General Manager is responsible for leading the full business and operational performance of the Conway facility, with accountability for growing the business, strengthening customer partnerships, and connecting commercial priorities with operational execution. This leader will own site strategy, financial and P&L performance, safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, and employee engagement outcomes. The role requires a visible, hands on leader who can build and develop a high-performing team, create a culture of accountability and trust, and consistently meet or exceed key performance indicators while positioning the facility for sustainable growth.

How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Owns overall site performance and drives business growth by aligning commercial priorities, customer expectations, and operational execution.
• Develops and executes operating plans that directly support revenue growth, margin expansion, EBITDA, cost discipline, and customer service goals.
• Leads daily, weekly, and monthly business reviews using KPIs to evaluate performance, identify gaps, and drive corrective action across safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, labor, and financial results.
• Builds, develops, and leads a capable operations leadership team with clear accountability, strong succession planning, and a focus on coaching, performance, and talent development.
• Sets clear expectations and measurable performance objectives for leaders and teams, ensuring individual goals are tied to site KPIs and business priorities.
• Partners cross-functionally with Sales, Customer Service, Finance, Supply Chain, Quality, Safety, HR, and Operational Excellence to ensure commercial commitments are supported by strong operational plans.
• Champions initiatives to institutionalize Safety, Quality, Lean Manufacturing, Team Development, and Continuous Improvement.
• Provides leadership and support to Lean Business Practices and Activities.
• Prepares and submits capital equipment recommendations, process changes, and building improvements.
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the company's business and manufacturing processes, products, and operating philosophy.
• Creates strong communication rhythms across the facility to build alignment, improve employee engagement, reinforce accountability, and ensure teams understand how their work connects to business results.
• Ensures the facility has effective development, training, and succession strategies that build organizational capability and support current and future business needs.
• Ensures that the facility operates in a manner which optimizes the safety of all employees and follows all safety and environmental federal and state regulations.
• Ensures compliance with all company policies and procedures.
• Ensures the facility meets or exceeds production, on-time delivery, quality, waste, labor efficiency, safety, customer satisfaction, and other critical operating targets.
• Provides timely and regular operations reports to the Regional Vice President and other members of Senior Management.

What You Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical or management discipline is strongly preferred, with a required minimum of 10 years of progressive operations/production management experience in a manufacturing environment.

Must have demonstrated track record of manufacturing management excellence, evidenced by a track record of achieving production, quality and cost objectives while maintaining a safe and positive environment for line manufacturing employees.

• Superior communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills with the ability to effectively communicate with subordinates, superiors, peers, customers, and others.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong planning and bu dgeting skills.
• Must demonstrate superior leadership and managerial skills indicative of the ability to instill teamwork, delegate effectively, and build collaborative relationships to facilitate accomplishment of business objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to connect commercial growth goals with operational strategy, capacity planning, customer service, and financial outcomes.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including experience managing budgets, labor plans, cost drivers, KPIs, and P&L performance in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and objectives.
• Must demonstrate a proactive management style with the ability to anticipate and resolve issues before they become significant problems.
• Must demonstrate creativity and innovation with the ability to identify new approaches, processes, and systems to business operations and challenges.
• Strong personal computer skills including proficiency with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with Radius manufacturing and financial systems is a plus.
• Ability to perform all essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

What We Offer:

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are foundational to how we operate.
• Competitive total rewards package including medical, dental, and vision coverage options starting on your first day.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions and flexible spending account (FSA) options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and automatic contributions to support your long-term financial goals.
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage for financial protection.
• Mental health support and wellness programs designed to promote overall well-being.
• Generous paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and paid parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Additional voluntary benefits such as legal services, identity protection, pet insurance, and more.

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