Shift Supervisor - Nicholasville, KY
The Opportunity:
This Shift Supervisor opportunity in Nicholasville, KY is a hands-on production leadership role responsible for driving safety, quality, productivity, and employee development across a manufacturing operation. The position oversees daily shift performance, leads continuous improvement initiatives focused on OEE and operational excellence, supports training and workforce development, coordinates maintenance activities to reduce downtime, and ensures compliance with food packaging safety and quality standards. This role is ideal for a frontline leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, enjoys coaching teams, troubleshooting operational challenges, and creating a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock:
- Ensure the compliance of all Plant employees with the safety rules and regulations set forth by the Nicholasville Plant.
- Ensure that a safe workplace is maintained at all times and that the habits and practices of every employee hold safety as the top priority.
- Each person, regardless of role or position is responsible for Food Packaging Safety and Quality
- Assist Dept. Manager that quality control plans are followed by everyone for quality assistance.
- Lead teams to achieve OEE objectives with a relentless focus on continuous improvement.
- Modify team assignments as necessary to achieve the highest OEE possible.
- Assist cutting crews on make-ready as needed.
- Provide troubleshooting assistance to cutting crews as needed.
- Identify obstacles. Develop and execute action plans to improve performance.
- Oversee Plant 5S and housekeeping, coach employees on importance and sustaining.
- Assist Plant Manager and Department Managers to ensure each shift receives performance feedback and updates on improvement plans.
- Support training requirements of all associates.
- Complete direct training as needed for new associates, when reviewing existing procedures, or implementing new processes
- Complete annual assessments of employees, and work with Plant Manager on knowledge and skill gaps
- Assist in implementing and maintaining effective preventative and predictive maintenance for the equipment.
- Verify daily and weekly preventive maintenance is being completed.
- Monitor work order trends and downtime reduction improvements.
- Help in departments that may have a Department Manager Absent. Work in a challenging environment.
- Assess upset conditions and react in a safe and appropriate way to correct condition.
- Report to management any issue or event that poses a risk to employee safety, the environment and facilities, or food packaging safety and quality.
- Follow all applicable policies, procedures, and instructions to the best of your ability.
- Safely operate Motorized Pallet Jacks, Manual Pallet Jacks, and any other equipment trained and certified on.
What You Need to Succeed:
- High school diploma or GED
- Proven ability to lead and develop production teams in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
- Experience driving OEE improvements, reducing downtime, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
- Effective problem-solving, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to coach employees, provide performance feedback, and support training efforts.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement principles preferred.
- Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Experience working with maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability and productivity.
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to thrive in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
Safe Work Requirements:
- PPE: Safety Glasses, Ear Plugs or Earmuffs, Safety Shoes, Gloves when required, Bump Caps , or Hard Hats, and any other PPE Required based on the job or task.
- Compliance with Nicholasville employment policies, handbooks, 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 and participating in leading/proactive metrics, reporting concerns, supporting/participating in learning team events, etc.
- 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.
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
Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.
