VP, IT Innovation and Digital Acceleration

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.

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Key Responsibilities

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.

• Ensure clear role definition, accountability, and development pathways across the innovation organization.

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Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field required.

• Master's degree in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Business Administration, or related field preferred.

Years of Experience

• 15+ years of progressive IT or technology leadership experience, including executive-level roles.

• 10+ years of experience leading senior leaders and large, complex technical organizations.

• 7+ years of experience leading AI, data science, or digital innovation functions at enterprise scale.

• Demonstrated success scaling AI, advanced analytics, or automation capabilities within a complex, multi-site enterprise environment.

Technical Experience

• Proven leadership in enterprise AI strategy, machine learning, and advanced analytics.

• Experience leading digital product management organizations and managing CRM platforms.

• Familiarity with digital manufacturing environments, connected equipment, and industrial data ecosystems.

• Demonstrated ability to build and scale innovation pipelines from concept through enterprise deployment.

• Experience with modern data and AI platforms (e.g., cloud-based data platforms, advanced analytics tooling, and enterprise CRM systems).

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in paper, packaging, or process manufacturing environments.

• Experience leading or partnering with innovation incubator programs or technology fellowship models.

• Experience working with external technology partners, vendors, and research ecosystems.

• Strong executive presence with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes for senior leadership and board-level audiences.

• Prior experience reporting directly to a CIO or equivalent executive.

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Core Competencies

• Enterprise AI and innovation strategy development.

• Digital product management and portfolio prioritization at scale.

• Executive stakeholder management and C-suite communication.

• Ability to translate emerging technology into practical, measurable business value.

• Organizational development and talent pipeline building.

• Strong leadership of matrixed, cross-functional technical teams.

• Ability to balance long-term vision with near-term execution discipline.

SCOPE OF INFLUENCE

AI and Data Science

North American manufacturing

Digital Acceleration Portfolio

Automation and innovation pipeline

Digital Product and CRM

Platform management

Technology Fellows

Program oversight

TRAVEL

This role requires approximately 15-20% travel.

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.