Responsible for developing short, mid and long-range strategy for multiple plants and ensure successfully implementation.

Primary Duties

• Formulates strategy for the plants incl. the annual business plans in line with the region, country objectives for that year; organizes approval and executes the plans in such a way that the set objectives for his plants are achieved
• Contributes to the region, country strategy together with the colleagues of the other plants. Represents, positions his plants clearly in comparison/relation to the others within the context of the total market opportunities
• Ensures that the separate annual operational plans of the various disciplines like Safety, Sales, Production, Finance and Human resources are in tune with each other, well formulated and approved so that the resulting overall Opco plan constitutes a solid platform for achieving the annually agreed objectives (Roce, investment budget, market position/growth)
• Sees to it that progress/results are developing in line with the plans; that the various disciplines cooperate in a positive atmosphere so that maximum productivity will be achieved. Where and when necessary the Regional General Manager will take corrective actions
• Works closely with the Operations Managers to ensure that the production process runs smoothly and efficiently both from the angle of infrastructure (quality/maintenance equipment) and staffing (number plus education/training) between the two plants
• Sees to it that the Sales (correct forecast system) and Production (allocation) cooperate closely in order to ensure that the available capacity is used optimally. Controls the production costs
• Works closely with National Sales and Californian Sales Director to ensure a maximum sales volume with the right margins and a high level of customer satisfaction. Pays visit to some key customers regularly to stay in touch with the market
• Makes sure that the required corporate reporting is done in time and on the right quality level.
• Promotes and ensures compliance with the Smurfit Kappa values and management principles
• Develops and steers an efficient health, safety and environmental protection process
• Represents the company in the local community and local federation. Lobbies to safeguard the interests of the plant. Takes part in associations to protect the company's interests in public and to acquire information
• Advise, in the first instance, the VP of US Packaging at the earliest opportunity of any concerns he/she may have regarding the performance of his team and/or its processes
• Strives to build a high performance team by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities
• Leads by example - shows what good leadership looks like
• Keep up to date on professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies. New development and foster learning & development among the team
• Personally tours operations and talks face to face with their staff about safety performance and concerns. Provides prompt, honest feedback on safety concerns raised by the workforce, and implements viable corrective actions. SKNA employees regardless of level, position or tenure are responsible for upholding the safety standards regulations and policies.
• All other duties as assigned

Job Qualifications

• Proficient in English
• Bilingual in Spanish, preferred
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills, dealing with individuals at all levels
• Capable of evaluating financial alternatives and recognize and interpret financial trends and performance
• Computer proficiency - MS Office
• BA degree or higher
• Proven leadership skills and ability to motivate & develop his/her team
• Self-motivated and committed individual, strong work ethic
• High energy, with the ability to work in fast-paced environment
• Excellent analytical skills, strong financial knowledge, methodical approach and strong commercial acumen
• 15 + years relevant practical experience, including ideally 5 - 10 years of experience in a packaging or paper & board industry
• Ability to work with various stakeholders to resolve challenges
• Ability to work with various facilities and functions (operations, finance, quality) across the Division to resolve challenges
• Capable of building strong relationships internally & externally
• Able to drive team to continuously improve processes and foster good working relationships
• Capable of defining, developing and implementing short, mid-term and long term objectives & goals for the team - set clearly defined targets for team
• Provides sound information to VP US Packaging, assisting him in his decision making process
• Use sound commercial judgment in all dealings with external providers

About Smurfit Kappa

Smurfit Kappa is a FTSE 100company and one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging in the world, with operations in 23 European countries and 12 countries in the Americas.

EEO Statement

Smurfit Kappa is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, status as a Vietnam Era, disabled veteran, special disabled veteran, Armed Forces Services Medal Veteran, recently separated or other protected veteran. Smurfit Kappa also complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination in places where Smurfit Kappa operates.

Our vision is to be a globally admired business, dynamically delivering secure and superior returns for all stakeholders.