First Line Leader - Power and Recovery

International Paper; Selma (AL); On-site; USD 83,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

International Paper in Selma, AL, is seeking a Front Line Leader to direct the Powerhouse operations, drive safety and environmental compliance, and lead continuous improvement across shifts. You will mentor Operators, manage performance, and coordinate with Recovery, Pulp, and Paper teams to optimize mill performance.

The role requires a B.S. in engineering or equivalent experience, 3–5 years in Power Manufacturing/Pulp operations, and completion of leadership development within a year.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Engineering or related field or 10 years of operating experience in the related field.
• Prefer 3 to 5 years’ experience in Power Manufacturing and/or Pulp operations.
• Completion of First Line Leader or other formal Leadership Development required within one year of accepting this position.

Responsibilities

• All safety and environmental results for the Powerhouse.
• Lead incident investigations, near-miss reviews, and corrective action implementation to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental permits, operating limits, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct routine safety observations, audits, and field engagements to reinforce safe work practices.
• Ensure effective execution of LOTO, confined space, hot work, and contractor safety processes.
• Building, communicating, and executing consistent operating practices across all shifts.
• Direct and lead the Operators in Power with clear expectations and accountability.
• Developing and maintaining Operator engagement through communication, empowerment, and training.
• Develop operators through coaching, mentoring, training, and performance feedback.
• Lead performance management activities, including goal setting, development planning, and accountability discussions.
• Identify and develop future operations leaders through succession planning and cross-training initiatives.
• Promote employee engagement and foster a culture of teamwork, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Direct and lead Operators in Power using the Daily Management System (DMS) process to set goals and create countermeasures to win the day.
• Drive operational excellence by monitoring and improving key performance indicators including steam generation, power generation, chemical recovery efficiency, water usage, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Coordinate operational priorities across Power, Recovery, Pulp, and Paper departments to optimize mill performance.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts during upset conditions and establish sustainable solutions to improve process stability.
• Ensure operating discipline through effective shift turnover, communication, and adherence to standard operating procedures.
• Investigating, resolving, and implementing process improvements.
• Interfacing with other departments to ensure quality parameters are achieved and maintained.
• Serving as operational support for reliability efforts, including MWS, Basic Care, IEPM, and RCFA.
• Providing support on project management and/or outage management during weekly/annual outages.
• Coordinate contractor activities to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with mill requirements.
• Assist with managing area costs and meeting budget.
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies to eliminate waste and improve process performance.
• Build effective systems and materials such as operating procedures (SOP), troubleshooting documents (TCC), and other training materials.
• Incumbent is responsible for managing the operation of the following areas: Water, Air, Waste Treatment, Black Liquor Systems, Recovery Boilers, Evaporators, Power Boilers, Turbines, Boiler Feedwater Systems, Boiler Fuel Systems.
• This role is also required to be a member of the Mill’s Emergency Response Team in the event of an emergency.

Skills

Leadership

Power operations

Safety leadership

Education

B.S. in Engineering or related field

10 years related experience

Job description

Position Title

JOB DESCRIPTION

Front Line Leader - Power and Recovery

Pay Rate

$82,500 - $110,000

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Category/Shift

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location

601 County Rd 78
Selma, Al

The Job You Will Perform

• All safety and environmental results for the Powerhouse.
• Lead incident investigations, near-miss reviews, and corrective action implementation to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental permits, operating limits, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct routine safety observations, audits, and field engagements to reinforce safe work practices.
• Ensure effective execution of LOTO, confined space, hot work, and contractor safety processes.
• Building, communicating, and executing consistent operating practices across all shifts.
• Direct and lead the Operators in Power with clear expectations and accountability.
• Developing and maintaining Operator engagement through communication, empowerment, and training.
• Develop operators through coaching, mentoring, training, and performance feedback.
• Lead performance management activities, including goal setting, development planning, and accountability discussions.
• Identify and develop future operations leaders through succession planning and cross-training initiatives.
• Promote employee engagement and foster a culture of teamwork, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Direct and lead Operators in Power using the Daily Management System (DMS) process to set goals and create countermeasures to win the day.
• Drive operational excellence by monitoring and improving key performance indicators including steam generation, power generation, chemical recovery efficiency, water usage, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Coordinate operational priorities across Power, Recovery, Pulp, and Paper departments to optimize mill performance.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts during upset conditions and establish sustainable solutions to improve process stability.
• Ensure operating discipline through effective shift turnover, communication, and adherence to standard operating procedures.
• Investigating, resolving, and implementing process improvements.
• Interfacing with other departments to ensure quality parameters are achieved and maintained.
• Serving as operational support for reliability efforts, including MWS, Basic Care, IEPM, and RCFA.
• Providing support on project management and/or outage management during weekly/annual outages.
• Coordinate contractor activities to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with mill requirements.
• Assist with managing area costs and meeting budget.
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies to eliminate waste and improve process performance.
• Build effective systems and materials such as operating procedures (SOP), troubleshooting documents (TCC), and other training materials.
• Incumbent is responsible for managing the operation of the following areas: Water, Air, Waste Treatment, Black Liquor Systems, Recovery Boilers, Evaporators, Power Boilers, Turbines, Boiler Feedwater Systems, Boiler Fuel Systems.
• This role is also required to be a member of the Mill’s Emergency Response Team in the event of an emergency.

The Skills You Will Bring

• B.S. degree in Engineering or related field or 10 years of operating experience in the related field, will consider candidate with equivalent experience.
• Prefer 3 to 5 years’ experience in Power Manufacturing and/or Pulp operations.
• Completion of First Line Leader or other formal Leadership Development required within one year of accepting this position.

About Us

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets

The Career You Will Build

Leadership training, promotional opportunities

The Impact You Will Make

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.

The Culture You Will Experience

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join

International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) creates sustainable packaging solutions that enable our customers, teammates and shareowners to thrive in an ever-changing world. We are a leader in corrugated packaging, partnering with customers across industries to protect what matters most, strengthen supply chains and create lasting value. Learn more at internationalpaper.com.

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].