Supply Chain Specialist

Description & Requirements Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate. The Opportunity The Supply Planner is responsible for developing and executing inventory planning strategies to optimize stock levels across a subset of Corrugated Packaging plants, while supporting short-term ITP planning (0-13 weeks). The Supply Planner emphasizes determining inventory strategies, setting targets, and applying logic to balance demand and supply in alignment with strategic objectives (IBP plan). Working collaboratively with Master Planners, Line Schedulers, Customer Service, Inventory Management, Supply Planning, Area Operations, Finance, and Commercial teams, this role drives decisions to maximize OTIF, minimize working capital, and balance costs such as $/MSF, freight, and inventory. While learning master planner responsibilities, the primary focus is on proactive inventory planning and optimization to support operational and financial goals. Responsibilities Develop inventory planning strategies by setting seasonal, pre-build, contractual, and Days of Supply targets for converting facilities, ensuring optimal stock levels while minimizing working capital expense Ensure warehouse inventory aligns with demand by directing planning efforts and partnering with key stakeholders to maintain visibility of KPIs, risks, tradeoffs, and escalation needs Apply logic and analysis to proactively review demand forecasts against orders, capacity, and inventory, identifying gaps and recommending solutions to align supply with strategic and financial commitments Collaborate with Supply Planning and Operations to identify potential bottlenecks or excess capacity across the node, proposing inventory-driven solutions to mitigate supply and cost risks Support master planning activities by balancing demand forecasts across plants, ensuring orders are routed appropriately to maximize OTIF, and re-balancing demand/orders on an exception basis across nodes with other Master Planners and Supply Planners. Facilitate connections between inventory and ITP decisions, ensuring alignment with operations, commercial, and pricing teams for seamless execution. Drive continuous improvement opportunities that enhance system utilization, process efficiency, and throughput, optimizing capacity and minimizing costs while meeting customer requirements (OTIF). Support the adoption of new technology as part of Smurfit Westrock’s transformation efforts, ensuring inventory and planning processes leverage these advancements. Maintain accurate, up-to-date data in systems, reflecting the latest capacity and inventory outlook to support planning and decision-making. Required Experience Strong analytical, organizational and communication skills, and attention to details Depth of understanding of Corrugated Box Plant operations across order management, design specifications, production planning, corrugator, converting and shipping Analytical and able to logically processes information to produce insights in a consumable format; aggregates, cleanses, and disseminates data in structured formats to support better business decisions and improved performance Process oriented - Plans, designs, manages processes while focusing on refining and improving to increase efficiency and effectiveness; understands process inputs, activities, outputs, roles and sequencing Comprehension of current market conditions and seasonality with the ability to anticipate changes Ability to prioritize, multi-task and handle multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment. Experience with advanced planning software is strongly preferred (SAP, Blue Yonder, o9), ideally through implementation of new tools Experience with Kiwiplan strongly preferred Minimum 5+ years of supply chain or related experience Education BS in engineering, supply chain management, general business administration, operations, or similar fields, or equivalent experience Master of Business Administration or relevant MS degree is preferred. Moderate business travel, 10-15% What We Offer Corporate culture is based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence. Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential. A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work. Smurfit Westrock Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce: Minorities/Females/ Disabled/Veterans. Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr