Assembly Operations Manager

Smurfit Westrock · Bolingbrook, IL

Apply on Smurfit Westrock ↗

Level: Manager
Team: Production
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 5+ years
Industry: Packaging
Posted: 15 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A management production role at Smurfit Westrock (packaging) in Bolingbrook, IL.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required
Tools it names: FDA / GMP, Assembly lines

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Production Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $100k–$146k.

Median of the low and high ends of 34 live postings that list pay, out of 65 production engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 64 other live production postings in Illinois.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Typical (5+ years)

Skills these teams ask for most

Lean 43%
✓ Team leadership 35%
EHS / safety 28%
Root cause 23%
Six Sigma 22%
New product launch 20%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Assembly lines, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Promotion path mentioned

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 Production 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?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
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.Show

requirements

are met

✓Coordinate production activities with the related activities of other departments
✓Ensure training of plant production personnel; update and maintain training documentation pertaining to production efficiency, safety, GMP's , SOP's, and quality procedures
✓Establish and control conditions in production to achieve maximum efficiency; troubleshoot and resolve problems related to design, production, and quality issues
✓Develop and maintain cost effective efficiency and quality improvements
✓Promote innovation to achieve increased quality and productivity with Assembly Line Leaders
✓Direct supervision of Production Supervisors and Support Supervisors
✓Evaluate and review employee performance for both salaried and hourly employees
✓Maintain appropriate staffing levels; assist as needed in resolving employee issues and discipline
✓Comply with all safety and environmental rules and regulations; create and maintain a safe and secure work environment
✓Liaise with vendors and contractors
✓Participate in the budget process
✓Assist General Manager with executing operating strategies and plans, and achieving company goals and objectives

Show full description ↓

The Opportunity

The Operations Manager is responsible for the production operations of the Assembly/Contract Packaging facility.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock

•Plan, direct and coordinate production work flow; prepare production schedule and set deadlines to ensure timely completion of work
•Maintain daily contact with project coordinators, production team leaders, set-up team, and temporary staffing agency to assure production

to succeed

•College degree preferred; High school diploma or GED required.
•5+ years experience in a related industry with supervisory experience is required.
•Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. May require the ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
•Effective verbal communication skills. Ability to speak English and Spanish preferred.
•Above average mathematical skills and financial acumen.
•Strong problem solving skills and working in a fast-paced environment

What we offer

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