Project Manager of Lean Excellence

International Paper is hiring a Project Manager of Lean Excellence to drive scalable operational improvement across its Containerboard business. The role partners with mill teams to deploy lean methods, lead continuous improvement efforts, and build capabilities that improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Responsibilities:

• Implement lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Standard Work, Visual Management, SMED and Value Stream Mapping
• Drive waste elimination, process flow optimization, and variation reduction
• Facilitate structured problem solving using A3, DMAIC, 5-Why, RCFA, and similar methodologies
• Deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost
• Use data to identify gaps in performance versus best practices and work with the mill team to execute an improvement plan
• Document best practices and share improvements to leverage results
• Understand and apply financial drivers and key performance indicators
• Assist with implementing and managing systems that will sustain improvement efforts
• Lead and coach CI events / kaizen through hands-on participation
• Assist with developing and effectively delivering training materials in multiple formats to ensure team members throughout the organization are trained in CI concepts and philosophy
• Evaluate and drive opportunities for appropriate CI and lean tool applications
• Provide support, assistance, and communication to the mill leadership teams regarding CI initiatives

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of continuous manufacturing experience with proven change leadership skills
• Demonstrated success utilizing and deploying lean tools
• Strong analytical, facilitation, coaching and change leadership skills
• Ability to influence without formal authority across multiple functions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Bachelor's degree preferred in business, engineering, operations management, or related field