Cutting Manager

Smurfit Westrock • Nicholasville, KY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Cutting Manager oversees the cutting department at the Nicholasville plant, ensuring safety, quality, productivity, and operational efficiency. The role manages production schedules, staffing, inventory accuracy, equipment maintenance coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives, while driving performance through OEE metrics, 5S, Six Sigma principles, and employee development.

The manager ensures department compliance with plant safety rules and food safety and quality requirements, including SQF, HACCP, and ISO regulations. They maintain high-quality carton production, address quality concerns and non-conforming products, and ensure customer demands are met without compromising efficiency or quality. The role also maintains accurate WIP and inventory records, housekeeping and 5S standards, production equipment preventive maintenance, and efficient job changeovers.

The Cutting Manager works with shift leads and maintenance teams, supports employee performance and development, maintains succession plans, conducts performance reviews and monthly department meetings, and communicates department goals and results. If the manager is unavailable during a food safety or quality issue, the Plant Manager acts on the manager's behalf. The role requires following site safety policies, assigned training, PPE requirements, safety reporting practices, and the STOP Work Process.

Requirements

• High school completion or GED required.
• Five years of management or supervisory experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Leadership, communication, strategic and tactical planning, and coaching and development skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma and continuous improvement principles and tools.
• Experience with root cause analysis methodology.
• Innovation and change management skills.
• Comply with required PPE and workplace safety policies and procedures.
• Understand and follow the STOP Work Process and assigned safety training.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Cutting Department employees comply with plant safety rules and maintain a safe workplace.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality regulations, including SQF and HACCP, as well as ISO regulations.
• Maintain high-quality carton production and hold team members accountable for quality at the point of manufacture.
• Identify quality concerns and lead prompt corrective actions for non-conforming products found internally or reported by customers.
• Manage staffing and production schedules, including overtime and vacation coverage as needed.
• Ensure production schedules are followed and customer demands are met without compromising departmental efficiency or quality.
• Maintain accurate WIP counts and inventory through monthly audits.
• Maintain housekeeping and 5S standards through employee accountability, regular 5S audits, and AIB-related inspections.
• Attend daily OEE meetings and direct continuous improvement efforts toward OEE drivers, including MTBF, MTTR, maximum speed percentage, and downtime.
• Attend daily maintenance meetings, ensure work requests are submitted for equipment and infrastructure issues, and follow up with the Maintenance Manager on timely resolution.
• Keep the work order backlog current and free of duplicate or unnecessary requests.
• Ensure preventive maintenance activities occur on schedule, are comprehensive, and are properly audited while minimizing production disruption.
• Ensure maintenance and job changeovers are performed efficiently, minimize disruption and downtime, and optimize tasks through continuous improvement.
• Support Shift Leads in improving shift performance and ensure employees are appropriately positioned and performing effectively.
• Maintain a succession plan and address training and development gaps for departmental positions.
• Ensure employees receive scheduled performance reviews and set and meet professional training and personal development goals.
• Achieve department goals, ensure employees know those goals, and keep department metrics updated, posted, and communicated.
• Conduct monthly department meetings covering current issues, safety and quality updates, performance against goals, and employee concerns or questions.
• Follow site safety policies and assignments; submit safety concerns and incident reports, participate in safety learning activities, complete required training, and follow the STOP Work Process.
• Act on food safety or quality issues when the Cutting Manager is unavailable, with the Plant Manager serving on the manager's behalf.

Benefits

• Comprehensive training and learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive salary.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options starting on the first day.
• Health Savings Account with company contributions and flexible spending account options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and automatic contributions.
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage.
• Mental health support and wellness programs.
• Paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and paid parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Voluntary benefits including legal services, identity protection, and pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED