General Information

Job ID
ATR64397

Posting Job Title
Plant Manager - Ajax

Locations
ON Ajax

Employment Type
Full Time

Date Posted
14-Jul-2026

Relocation Support
Yes

Description & Requirements

Job Title

Plant Manager

Reports To

General Manager

Number of Direct Reports

7-12

Revenue Responsibility

N/A

Budget Responsibility

N/A

Position Location

Ajax, ON

Job Summary: The Plant Manager is responsible for the day-to-day activities of maintaining the plant facility operations including safety policies, personnel, housekeeping, maintenance, production activities, customer requirements, planning and scheduling. This role will serve as a member of the management leadership team and must contribute to achieving sales objectives. The Plant Manager will serve as a coach to team members and assist in the development and evaluation of direct reports. Active participation as a Steering Team member to strategically align overall plant goals and WestRock goals. Execute major job responsibilities below working within the Conover Management System and utilization of our pillar and sub-pillar teams.

Major Job Responsibilities: Business Excellence

• Provide leadership and guidance on the coordination of plant activities through planning with Department Managers and Shift Supervisors to ensure the manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Formulate solutions to minimize lead times, as well as maximize product quality, production employee job satisfaction, and profit margin
• Control updates and distribute new and revised safety and quality standards to direct reports
• Evaluate machinery or tools needing maintenance to communicate maintenance work orders
• Develop a working relationship with internal WestRock departments to deliver the most efficient customer care and service
• Manage P&L to control manufacturing and conversion cost within budgetary limits to ensure profitable long-term growth
• Develop and monitor operational forecasts and budgets to improve plant profitability
• Monitor and control waste management to manage production costs and reduce environmental impacts
• Coordinate and maintain an ongoing, effective safety plan to ensure program implementation

• People and Culture
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by staying abreast of best practices and application to WestRock, while staying consistent with company culture
• Facilitate the coordination of relationships with plant level support functions including finance, engineering, materials, quality assurance, and human resources, to ensure alignment with overall plant operations
• Review customer requirements and specifications to identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions to increase customer satisfaction
• Build effective partnership with union and union stewards (as applicable) to improve overall plant production
• Establish all shift production schedules to control and monitor labor staffing needs
• Develop and coach employees to their full potential by providing challenging opportunities that enhance employee career growth
• Coach and counsel team members to perform in accordance with WestRock culture, values, and standards
• Communicate new ideas to support fulfillment of department goals and procedures for continuous improvement, retention of customer base, company profitability, and employee job satisfaction
• Develop and manage defined communication channels across various stakeholder groups to build effective relationships and produce superior products

Critical Skills / Capabilities:

• Adaptability: Demonstrates agility, flexibility, and a willingness to modify one's approach to achieve desired results; responds quickly to changing demands, processes, and updated information
• Accountability: Holds self and others responsible for actions and results
• Growth and Results Oriented: Delivers personal and/or organizational results by successfully influencing others (i.e. co-workers, other teams, external partners, etc.) within a matrixed organization; delivers high quality work within the stipulated time period to achieve maximum results
• Leadership: Leads and motivates a team of people to achieve performance excellence; ability to read people and situations to adjust approach accordingly; proactively leads and enforces initiatives that drive organizational effectiveness; teaches others how to build trust-based relationships
• Collaboration: Works effectively with others to complete a task or achieve a common objective; ability to cooperate in both interpersonal and team relationships to foster enthusiasm and maintain mutual trust, candor, and respect for others. Works through conflict constructively

Technical Skills:

• Microsoft Office - Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
• KIWI scheduling software
• Strong computer skills

Work Environment:

• Fast paced, JIT (just-in-time) environment
• Frequent standing and walking in a climate-controlled environment; may experience exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures; exposure to machinery conditions of over 1006F; ability to operate or learn to operate heavy equipment; maintain strict adherence to safety rules and regulations

Experience:

• Required: 7 to 10 years of experience in manufacturing industry; 7+ years of related leadership experience in a production facility
• Preferred: Mechanical background, corrugated industry experience, continuous improvement background / Six Sigma certification

Education:

• Required: High School diploma or G.E.D.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree

Reports to: General Manager

Back-up responsibilities: Maybe called upon to perform some General Manager duties if needed.

Essential: Sitting, Standing, Walking - around facility to include up and down stairs.

Marginal Functions: Lifting, Bending, Climbing

This posting is for an existing job vacancy. The annual salary rate for this position is $148000-$198000. To learn more about this posting, please contact your recruiter during the hiring process. You may apply online at Smurfit Westrock External Careers.

Physical Requirements:

Never

Occasionally

Frequently

Constantly

Sitting

X

Standing

X

Walking

X

Driving

X

Climbing

X

Carrying

X

Stooping

X

Kneeling

X

Bending

X

Reaching

X

Lifting (amount in LBS)

0-25 lbs

Lifting Overhead

X

Pushing/Pulling

X

Grasping

X