Vice President, Distribution Operations

About the role

Reporting to the President of the Corrugated Division, the Vice President, Operations is responsible for the safe, efficient, and profitable operations of the business. The successful candidate will build strong operations leadership and broad management capability across the business, working collaboratively with peers to ensure a positive and safe work environment for all team members.

The VP, Operations is responsible for the development and implementation of operations, supply chain, fleet, capital plans, and customer service for the entire Smurfit Westrock Packaging Solutions (SWPS) business.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and achievement of SWPS’s operational plan, capital investments, and financial results.
• Establish repeatable processes and mechanisms to ensure efficient and productive distribution operations.
• Collaborate with logistic and supply chain vendors to ensure availability of raw materials at a strategic price.
• Build financial plans in partnership with the President, Finance, and Sales to drive growth and profitability, near and long term.
• Plan for and execute capital facility investments to drive greater productivity and state-of-the-art solutions, delivering profitable growth through an effective capital plan that includes both the integration of acquisitions and organic expansion.
• Ensure operational rhythms and measurements are in place to systematically drive results, while holding operational leaders accountable for the performance of their business.
• Plan the development and delivery of customer solutions using the full network of capabilities and facilities.
• Drive top safety, quality, and environmental performance at all sites.
• Establish a culture that values integrity, ethics, and ensures compliance with all applicable business practices, laws, and regulations.
• Establish strategy and operational plans to successfully service customers, working with Sales Leaders to translate customer orders/expectations into effective plans on where to source, execute the solution, and optimize delivery options.
• Proactively manage the human capital requirements of the business, including the assessment, development, recruitment, and retention of diverse operations and technical talent.
• Foster a diverse and inclusive culture that values accountability, teamwork, operational excellence, collaboration, and open communications.
• Ensure the existence of a succession plan for all key positions within the business.

Reporting to this position are 4 Sr. Director - Operations, Sr. Director - Strategic Operations, Sr. Director - Strategic Sourcing & Inventory Management, the Sr. Director – Procurement, Sr. Director – Strategic Planning, VP Design Engineering, Director of Transportation, and Executive Assistant.

Requirements

• 7-10 years as a senior executive leading large, complex operations organizations with direct P&L responsibility ($0.5 to $1.0B) – in the packaging or adjacent industries.
• Distribution (packaging solutions preferred) experience is required.
• Experience leading operations in North America required; global operations experience desirable.
• Strong operational mindset and focus – leads with insight, metrics, and operational rhythms.
• Demonstrated ability to work at all levels with customers, from C-suite to department managers.
• Proven developer of talent with a track record of developing exceptional business and operational leaders.
• Lean and Six Sigma experience.

Benefits

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
• Attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• Benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k with match, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, and employee referral bonus.
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety, and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

About Smurfit Westrock Packaging Solutions

Smurfit Westrock Packaging Solutions (SWPS) has more than 50 locations and distribution facilities in the United States and Mexico. SWPS is a national distributor company specialized in solving packaging complexities and optimizing total cost associated with packaging for its clients on a national scale, as well as overseeing local packaging and distribution for regional clients.

Our national network includes more than 6 million square feet of warehouse space and approximately 400 delivery vehicles. SWPS employs approximately 2,500 people across North America. Our ability to deliver innovative services and enhanced packaging processes with total cost management to customers makes us an industry leader.

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