• Front End Innovation Manager

    WestRock Company (Atlanta, GA)


    The Manager of Front-End Innovation (FEI) is responsible for driving early-stage innovation by translating strategic customer and market needs as well as key internal stakeholder feedback into viable technical project opportunities. This role will lead ideation workshops, manage the innovation pipeline, and explore open innovation partnerships to seed future growth. A strong understanding of packaging trends, unmet customer needs, and cross-industry innovation is essential to shaping a forward-looking R&D portfolio.

    How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

    * Own and manage the FEI pipeline, guiding opportunity identification and prioritization in alignment with innovation strategy

    * Facilitate voice of customer (VOC) discovery sessions and engage key internal stakeholders to define unmet needs and innovation whitespace

    * Translate high-level insights into clearly scoped technical challenges and project charters

    * Partner with external collaborators (startups, universities, suppliers) to explore open innovation opportunities

    * Collaborate with Product Development and Commercialization teams to ensure continuity from concept to scale

    * Track and report on innovation portfolio health, including risk, ROI, and technical feasibility

    What you need to succeed:

    * Bachelor\u2019s degree required in Engineering, Business Innovation, Packaging Science, or related field; MBA or advanced degree a plus

    * 10+ years of experience in innovation, strategy, R&D, or marketing roles within the packaging, CPG, or manufacturing industries

    * Proven track record in managing early-stage innovation pipelines and translating insights into actionable project charters

    * Strong understanding of design thinking, DVF framework, customer discovery and VOC methodologies

    * Experience identifying and evaluating open innovation partnerships with startups, universities, or external collaborators

    * Excellent communication, facilitation, and storytelling skills to influence cross-functional teams and leadership

    * Comfortable working in ambiguous, fast-paced environments with a strong bias toward action and learning

    What We Offer

    * A corporate culture built on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence

    * A competitive salary and bonus structure that reflects skills, competencies and potential

    * Comprehensive training and development opportunities

    * Career growth within a global packaging leader where safety, quality, sustainability and people are fundamental to daily operations

     

    Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.

     

    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.