Lean Project Lead

About the role

Deploy Daily Management at assigned plants: stand up the tiered meeting cadence, coach shift leaders and supervisors on running it, and hand off ownership to plant leadership before the site closes out.

Lead Gemba walk implementation — establish the routine, coach leaders on what to look for and how to engage the floor, and build the habit so it continues without a Lean team member present.

Build and launch Visual Management boards (performance, safety, and problem-solving boards) using plain, plant-floor language — no Lean jargon on materials hourly workers will use.

Coach hourly workers and frontline supervisors through structured Problem Solving (5-Why, A3) on real issues from their own line, positioning them as the process experts rather than recipients of top-down change.

Support installation and go-live of digital visual management tools (LIME, ACE, Kiwi run screens) at the site, coordinating with maintenance/IT on hardware needs (monitors, wiring, mounting).

Follow standard work for the Early Deployment process so the six-week cadence stays consistent and repeatable from site to site and wave to wave.

Flag risks, adoption gaps, or resource needs to Ben in real time so the team can problem-solve during the deployment window, not after.

Capture site-level progress and hand-off readiness to support steering committee and network-wide reporting.

Physical location: Remote with 85% travel to facilities.

Responsibilities

• Deploy Daily Management at assigned plants, including establishing tiered meeting cadence and coaching shift leaders.
• Lead Gemba walk implementation, coaching leaders on engagement and sustaining the routine.
• Build and launch Visual Management boards using plain language for hourly workers.
• Coach structured Problem Solving (5-Why, A3) with hourly workers and frontline supervisors.
• Support installation of digital visual management tools and coordinate hardware logistics.
• Follow standard work for Early Deployment to maintain consistency across sites.
• Flag risks, adoption gaps, or resource needs in real time.
• Capture and report site-level progress for steering committee and network-wide updates.

Requirements

• 2+ years of hands-on plant, manufacturing, or operations experience (corrugated/packaging industry strongly preferred).
• Working knowledge of Daily Management, Gemba, Visual Management, and structured Problem Solving through direct plant-floor application.
• Ability to coach and build trust with hourly workers and frontline supervisors, translating Lean concepts into operational language.
• Comfort working independently at new sites every few weeks, adapting to different plant cultures.
• Basic comfort with digital visual management tools and willingness to coordinate hardware installation.
• Willingness and ability to travel 80–85%, including regular Monday–Thursday or full-week site assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in corrugated packaging, converting, or high-mix manufacturing environments.
• Prior experience standing up a site from scratch (greenfield) or leading rapid-cycle deployment.
• Exposure to FMEA or maintenance-linked problem solving.

Skills

• Customer Focus
• Action Oriented
• Plans and Aligns
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Situational Adaptability
• Instills Trust

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• 401(k) with company-funded retirement contributions
• Paid Time Off
• Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement)
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
• Voluntary Benefits (home, auto, vision, and pet insurance)

Pay

Pay Range: $134,500 – $157,800 (PL 16). Multiple factors, including individual experience, skills, and abilities, will determine placement within the range.

About Us

International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) creates sustainable packaging solutions that enable customers, teammates, and shareowners to thrive. We are a leader in corrugated packaging, partnering with customers across industries to protect what matters most, strengthen supply chains, and create lasting value.

We promote employee well-being by providing safe, caring, and inclusive workplaces. Our team members around the world bring diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, fostering a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, and engaged.