Purpose:

Help transform how Billerud North America solves problems, improves performance, and builds capability for the future. Billerud is a leading sustainable packaging materials and paper company committed to quality, sustainability, and the success of our people.

Summary Description:

The Senior Director, Business Transformation & Operational Excellence leads a small, high-impact team that delivers process optimization, cost reduction, productivity improvement, and operational excellence across Billerud North America. The team serves as project leaders, teachers, and facilitators, applying disciplined problem-solving methods and practical AI tools to high-value business challenges.
The team complements, rather than replaces, functional subject matter experts. It provides the mechanics of improvement: defining problems, selecting the right tools, structuring the work, facilitating teams, identifying root causes, and sustaining measurable results. The role also establishes a common BNA problem-solving system and builds practical, responsible AI capability across the organization.

Key Accountabilities:

Enterprise Improvement & Value Deliver

• Partner with BNA leadership to prioritize high-value process, cost, productivity, quality, service, working-capital, and growth opportunities.
• Lead complex cross-functional projects from problem definition through implementation, benefit validation, and handoff to the process owner.
• Establish clear charters, baselines, targets, governance, milestones, risks, and benefit measures with Finance and functional owners.

Problem Solving & Facilitation

• Apply and teach fit-for-purpose methods including Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, value-stream mapping, root-cause analysis, statistical analysis, standard work, kaizen, and design of experiments.
• Select the simplest rigorous method suited to the problem rather than forcing every issue into one approach.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams through analysis, tradeoffs, decisions, implementation, and sustainment.

AI-Enabled Improvement

• Identify where approved AI tools can improve analysis, workflow speed, decision quality, knowledge access, forecasting, and productivity.
• Combine established scientific methods with AI-assisted analysis, experimentation, workflow design, and automation while keeping accountable human judgment in the loop.
• Prototype practical solutions and coordinate with IT, Data, Legal, Security, and process owners when integration, scaling, or governance is required.

Capability Building & Change Leadership

• Create a common BNA problem-solving system with practical standards, playbooks, templates, and coaching routines.
• Build capability among leaders, project sponsors, practitioners, and employees so functions can solve more problems independently.
• Lead stakeholder engagement, training, adoption, and change management required to sustain new processes and behaviors.

Team Leadership & Influence

• Lead and develop a team of approximately 3-5 project leaders, improvement practitioners, and facilitators.
• Influence across Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR, IT, Procurement, Technical, and other functions without relying on direct authority.
• Maintain a hands-on leadership style while managing the portfolio, developing talent, and engaging senior leaders.

Required Experience and Education:

Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, business, analytics, finance, supply chain, or a related discipline; advanced degree is a plus.

12+ years of progressive experience in operational excellence, transformation, continuous improvement, consulting, manufacturing, supply chain, or related roles.

Demonstrated record of delivering measurable financial and operational results through cross-functional improvement programs.

Advanced knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem solving; Black Belt or Master Black Belt strongly preferred.

Experience leading a small professional team and influencing senior stakeholders in a matrixed organization.

Practical experience applying generative AI, analytics, automation, or digital tools to business problems.

Willingness to travel regularly across North American operations and offices.

Required Skills:

Exceptional problem framing, analytical reasoning, facilitation, and root-cause problem solving.

Financial acumen and the ability to translate operational change into credible business value.

Strong project and portfolio leadership, including scope, milestones, risks, resources, benefits, and sustainment.

Ability to teach complex methods in plain language and build capability at multiple organizational levels.

Executive-level communication, organizational savvy, and the courage to challenge weak logic or low-value work.

Hands-on fluency with Microsoft 365 and approved

Why us?

At Billerud, you’ll be part of a collaborative, forward thinking team dedicated to shaping a more sustainable future. We’re committed to supporting your growth, well being, and long term success.

• Impactful Work – Contribute to meaningful sustainability initiatives.
• Career Growth – Access development programs and internal advancement opportunities.
• Education Support – Tuition reimbursement + certificate programs through partner schools.
• Competitive Compensation – Performance based bonus eligibility (role dependent).
• Comprehensive Benefits –
• Multiple medical plans with virtual care options
• Generous 401(k) offerings
• HSA contribution match + additional preventive exam contribution
• Dental & vision coverage
• Company paid disability insurance
• Prescription benefits

Our recruitment process may include interviews, recruitment test, reference checks, and alcohol & drug testing.