Production Manager
Smurfit Westrock · Woodridge, IL
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Packaging
- Posted
- 2 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Smurfit Westrock (packaging) in Woodridge, IL. Provide a positive leadership example.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- EHS / safety
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)
Typical $98k–$143k, from 31 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 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.
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 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.
This plant: Smurfit Westrock in Woodridge
2 other open roles at this site.
- Quality Technician · Quality · Technician
- Quality Technician- 2nd shift · Quality · Technician
Production Manager at Smurfit Westrock in other locations
Smurfit Westrock lists this title in 3 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
Full description from Smurfit WestrockAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
and working capital initiatives.
- ✓15% | Safety Leadership
- ✓Establish a safe work environment through the implementation of pro-active housekeeping and safety practices, as well as actively participating on the Safety Committee.
- ✓Strictly enforce all safety guidelines, thoroughly investigate all safety issues and enact the necessary corrective actions.
- ✓15% | Quality & Continuous Improvement
- ✓Provide support to new product development projects to ensure
requirements
for quality and cost-effective manufacturing are inherent in the design.
- ✓Ensure that all new product notices, part change notices, and equipment change notices follow first production approval procedures.
- ✓Utilize performance excellence systems to plan, implement, and measure continuous quality improvements with a particular emphasis on building quality into both product and business processes.
- ✓Adhere manufacturing operations to the standards, procedures, and work instructions outlined in the Smurfit Westrock quality system.
- ✓20% | Leadership & Team Development
- ✓Effectively carry out all managerial role
responsibilities
including
requirements
pertaining to performance management, employee development, interdepartmental cooperation and facilitation of work teams.
- ✓Build a capable and effective team by following the Smurfit Westrock values and behaviors.
- ✓Use tools such as the performance reviews, one-one-one coaching meetings and development plans to increase the effectiveness of direct reports and operators.
- ✓Create and implement training programs to increase the knowledge and skills of the team.
- ✓Create links through discovery of best practices to measure performance.
- ✓Provide a positive leadership example.
- ✓10% | Financial & Capital Management
- ✓Create and manage all appropriate expense budgets to achieve positive variances and continuous improvements.
- ✓Develop and execute capital
requirements
related to production operations.
- ✓Maintain the forecast process related to manufacturing operations in addition to variance management.
- ✓Additional
Responsibilities
as assigned
Requirements
- ✓PPE: Safety Glasses, Ear Plugs or Earmuffs, Safety Shoes, Gloves when required, and any other PPE required based on the job or task.
- ✓Compliance with Smurfit Westrock employment policies, handbook, and workplace safety policies, rules, and procedures.
- ✓Submission of Safety Concerns and Safety Work Order / Incident Reporting and Learning / Basic understanding of the Safety Excellence System
- ✓Follow the site management (General Manager, Plant Manager, Department Manager, Shift Supervisor) assignments for completing tasks and managing programs as part of the Safety Excellence System.
- ✓Must follow Training Matix assigned in the Learning and Development System. Training could be assigned Annually, Quarterly or at the time of a new process / procedure.
- ✓Must have a clear understanding of the STOP Work Process – Employees have the right to STOP the work at any time to gain a better understanding of the process or to ensure safety standards are met.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Production Manager - Woodridge, IL
The Opportunity
Provide oversight and leadership in the assigned departments. Ensure the timely production of quality products that meet or exceed customer expectations. Proactively manage departmental metrics that impact cost (e.g., downtime, make-readies, run speed and waste). Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures. Ensure compliance to all S.O.P.s, work instructions and GMPs. Foster a team atmosphere, provide vision, and demonstrate support of the company’s core processes.
How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock
- •40% | Production & Operations Management
- •Facilitate production for the site based on the production schedules provided by Scheduling.
- •Develop and manage manufacturing capacity to ensure that products meet the requirements.
- •Ensure that appropriate sequencing and manning exist in order to fulfill the production schedule.
- •Continuously monitor the maintenance status and production rates of the equipment to achieve an uninterrupted production flow and daily output expectations.
- •Ensure that Preventative Maintenance Programs are in place and maintained in order to maximize asset utilization and long-term return on investment.
- •Ensure that schedule attainment is met and that product is completed within the established lead-times in an effort to support on-time shipping
to Succeed
- •Associates degree in related field or equivalent related work experience required.
- •Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or industrial engineering preferred.
- •3- 5 years of manufacturing management experience.
- •7-10 years of manufacturing experience, preferably with at least 5 years in the printing industry.
- •Strong math and measurement skills to understand, track, analyze, and report on operating metrics.
- •Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines.
- •Proficient with MS Office and related software.
- •Ability to perform well in a high-paced and, at times, stressful environment.
- •Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- •Proven record of fostering teamwork and establishing effective safety programs.
- •Must be able to perform all essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Safe Work
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 compa
