SVP, Operations

Smurfit Kappa

$323K — $485K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Business or related field
  • 15+ years of relevant professional experience
  • 10 years of cross-functional leadership experience in various domains
  • Proven ability to empower and cultivate high-performing teams
  • Experience in driving earnings, improving volume, and reducing costs
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills
  • Position based in the West Coast

Responsibilities

  • Lead and empower a high-performing leadership team across multiple functions
  • Develop and communicate a clear regional vision aligned with company objectives
  • Oversee operations across 25 sites, ensuring high performance and coordination
  • Implement continuous improvement methodologies to enhance productivity
  • Manage full P&L responsibilities and drive margin improvements
  • Strengthen relationships with key customers and collaborate on innovative solutions
  • Lead risk and crisis management efforts to ensure business continuity

Benefits

  • Value-driven culture focused on safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect
  • Comprehensive training and development opportunities
  • Career advancement with a global leader in packaging
  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
Full Job Description
General Information

Job ID

ATR66761

Posting Job Title

SVP, Corrugated Operations, West Region

Locations

CA Cerritos

Employment Type

Full Time

Date Posted

28-Aug-2026

Relocation Support

No

Description & Requirements

The Opportunity:

As Senior Vice President, you will be based on the West Coast and lead your region by creating and communicating strategy and empowering a high-performing leadership team to deliver exceptional sales, production, logistics, safety, HR, finance, and compliance results. You will shape and execute bold plans that fuel growth, profitability, talent development, and operational excellence. Through collaboration and developing clear priorities, you will inspire leaders to pursue ambitious goals, foster a high-performing culture, and achieve financial targets. As a key enterprise leader, you will play a critical role in advancing the organization's competitive edge and creating lasting value.

Direct Reports:
  • Area Leaders - Operations Vice Presidents (3)
  • Sr. Directors - Area Leaders (2)
  • Regional VP, Commercial (2)
  • Director, Human Resources (1)
  • Director, Process Improvement (1)
  • Director, Finance - (1)


How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:
  • People Leadership: Build and cultivate high-performing leadership teams to include operations, sales, HR, process improvement, and innovation ensuring alignment with division goals. Embrace and teach the owner-operator model. Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and inclusion, empowering leaders and employees to deliver exceptional results and realize their potential. Lead change management when needed and create an adaptable organization that wins in a dynamic market. Conduct performance management, development, and succession activities.
  • Strategic Leadership: Develop and articulate a clear and compelling regional vision that aligns directly with the division's overarching objectives. Focus on driving strategies designed to ensure sustained, long-term growth and profitability for the region. Actively analyze market trends and competitive dynamics to identify new opportunities and grow market share.
  • Operational Excellence: Oversee all manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics operations across 25 sites, ensuring seamless coordination and high performance. Implement continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma to drive efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance productivity. Maintain strict adherence to safety, environmental, and regulatory standards, fostering a culture of compliance and operational discipline.
  • Financial Management: Assume full P&L responsibility for the region, ensuring financial targets are met or exceeded. Drive margin improvement through disciplined cost control, pricing strategies, and operational efficiencies. Manage capital investments and allocate resources strategically to support growth initiatives and operational enhancements.
  • Customer & Commercial Focus: Strengthen strategic relationships with key accounts and partners, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty. Collaborate closely with sales and marketing teams to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions that meet evolving market needs and drive revenue growth.
  • Innovation & Sustainability: Champion product innovation and the development of sustainable packaging solutions that differentiate the company in the marketplace. Ensure all initiatives align with ESG goals and corporate sustainability commitments, positioning the region as a leader in responsible manufacturing.
  • Risk & Crisis Management: Proactively identify and mitigate operational risks to safeguard business continuity. In times of crisis, lead with decisiveness and clarity, ensuring rapid response and effective communication to minimize impact and restore stability.


What you need to succeed:
  • Bachelor's degree required (Business or related field preferred)
  • 15+ years of relevant professional experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 10 years of cross-functional leadership in Sales, Manufacturing, Safety, Quality, Environmental Compliance, and Financial Management
  • Proven experience in empowering high-performing teams and shaping a strong, inclusive culture that drives engagement, accountability, and results across multiple functions
  • Proven ability to drive earnings, improve volume, and reduce costs
  • Demonstrated commitment to customer and employee satisfaction
  • Strong communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills
  • This position will be based on the West Coast


What we offer:
  • A value-driven culture focused on safety, loyalty, integrity and respect
  • Comprehensive training and development opportunities
  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
  • A career with a global leader in packaging, where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are foundational


The salary range for this position is $323,000.00 - $485,000.00, depending on your role, level, and location. The range listed is also the expected pay for roles in Illinois and Colorado. The benefits for this role include short-term bonus incentive, health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and paid sick leave as required by applicable state/local law, 15 days of paid vacation, and 11 days of paid holidays, subject to annual change. Your pay will be based on factors such as your skills, experience, and education. To learn more about this posting, please contact your recruiter during the hiring process. You may apply online at Smurfit Westrock External Careers and the application window is expected to close by 04-Sep-2026.

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