VP, IT Innovation and Digital Acceleration

Description & Requirements

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.

Vice President, IT Innovation and Digital Acceleration Position Summary The Vice President, IT Innovation and Digital Acceleration is a senior executive responsible for setting and driving the AI strategy, data science capabilities, digital product management, and innovation roadmap for Smurfit Westrock's North American manufacturing operations. This leader owns forward-looking digital capabilities including automation, advanced analytics, and emerging technology adoption. The role sits on Keith Fehd's direct leadership team and is accountable for ensuring continuity, momentum, and measurable business impact across all AI and innovation initiatives. This leader translates emerging technology into enterprise value and serves as the organization's primary champion for digital transformation and competitive differentiation through technology. This leader will manage a team of direct reports including Senior Directors, Directors, and Senior Managers across Data Science, Digital Acceleration, Digital Product Management, and Digital Manufacturing functions.

Enterprise AI and Data Science Strategy Set and drive the enterprise AI and data science strategy for digital manufacturing, ensuring alignment with broader NA IT and business objectives. Own the AI and advanced analytics roadmap and ensure it delivers measurable, scalable business outcomes. Lead data science teams in developing advanced analytics, predictive models, and AI-enabled solutions. Drive adoption of AI capabilities across manufacturing operations in partnership with business and IT leaders. Ensure continuity and momentum across existing AI initiatives as the organization evolves. Represent the innovation and AI agenda in enterprise leadership forums and cross-functional planning. Digital Acceleration and Automation Lead the IT Digital Acceleration function, driving experimentation, pilots, and scaling of new digital capabilities. Own digital innovation and automation team delivery across key functional areas. Partner with operations and technology leaders to identify, prioritize, and scale high-value automation opportunities. Manage and evolve the innovation pipeline from concept through deployment. Establish governance and investment frameworks to ensure disciplined prioritization of innovation spend. Digital Product Management Oversee the Digital Product Management function, ensuring a strong portfolio of digital solutions aligned to business priorities. Lead CRM and digital manufacturing platform initiatives. Ensure digital products deliver measurable outcomes and align with enterprise technology strategy. Technology Fellows and Emerging Capabilities Lead and support the Technology Fellows program, ensuring innovation investment is directed at highest-value opportunities. Stay ahead of emerging technology trends and translate them into actionable roadmap items. Build and maintain relationships with external technology partners, research institutions, and ecosystem players. Serve as the organization's thought leader on digital manufacturing innovation and emerging technology. People Leadership, Talent Development, and Organizational Development Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team across Data Science, Digital Acceleration, Digital Product Management, and Digital Manufacturing functions. Build organizational capability and a strong leadership pipeline within the innovation and digital acceleration function. Build a high-performance culture that balances innovation ambition with disciplined execution.