Process Improvement Engineer
Smurfit Westrock · Lanett, AL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Travel
- 20%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Packaging
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level continuous improvement role at Smurfit Westrock (packaging) in Lanett, AL. 401(k) retirement plan with company match and automatic contributions to support your long-term financial goals.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 20% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Continuous Improvement roles in the US: typical posted base $105k–$150k.
Median of the low and high ends of 155 live postings that list pay, out of 413 continuous improvement openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Alabama plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 7 other live lean / ci postings in Alabama.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 10+)
Similar roles usually ask 10+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 100%
- ✓ Six Sigma 63%
- Value stream mapping 50%
- ✓ Team leadership 50%
- 5S 50%
- Root cause 38%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Smurfit Westrock
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- The posting says about 20% travel. Between which sites?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from Smurfit WestrockAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Process Improvement Engineer – Lanett, AL
The Opportunity
Smurfit Westrock’s Lanett plant is a large manufacturing facility that converts paperboard into printed consumer packaging for some of the world’s most respected brands. The Process Improvement Engineer will work within the Operational Excellence team to lead and participate in production and process improvement activities throughout the manufacturing site. This rewarding position will involve interacting with suppliers, employees, the manufacturing processes, products, and customers. The process engineer will make tangible improvements in the areas of safety, quality, cost, efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
How you will impact Smurfit Westrock
- •Develop and lead process improvement project teams
- •Provide technical troubleshooting to solve process and product problems
- •Perform periodic reporting and deliver presentations of key project updates, performance metrics, action items and results
- •Create new process procedures and deliver related training as needed
- •Serve as a facility-wide technical resource to provide general technical support to all departments
- •Assist in capital project justifications and installs as applicable
- •Key results of position: Completed projects that measurably improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost metrics
to succeed
- •Recent graduate or graduating withing the next 6 months with a Bachelor or Science Engineering degree or related field
- •Relevant internship, co-op, or industry experience is a plus
- •Experienced professionals with applicable manufacturing, engineering, or operations experience will also be considered
- •Ability to gather, organize, analyze, and interpret data
- •Attain certification in Lean Six Sigma improvement methodology within 2 years
- •Lead broad and complex project teams and initiatives
- •Ability to act as a change agent achieving results with urgency
- •Able to effectively organize multiple projects and actions items simultaneously
- •Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision
- •Clear and effective oral and written communication skills
- •Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Excel/Word/PowerPoint, use of WestRock software systems)
- •Ability to work on various other tasks/projects as required to support the success of the business
- •Ability to work nights and weekends occasionally as needed to support the 24/7 operation
- •Travel Requirement Estimate: 5 to 20% (As needed)
What We Offer
- •Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence
- •Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
- •Competitive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential
- •A career with a global packaging company where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are foundational to how we operate
- •Competitive total rewards package including medical, dental, and vision coverage options starting on your first day
- •Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions and flexible spending account (FSA) options
- •401(k) retirement plan with company match and automatic contributions to support your long-term financial goals
- •Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage for financial protection
- •Mental health support and wellness programs designed to promote overall well-being
- •Generous paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and paid parental leave
- •Tuition reimbursement and ongoing learning and development opportunities
- •Additional voluntary benefits such as legal services, identity protection, pet insurance, and more
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