Leadership Development Professional (LDP)

Weyerhaeuser Company; Elkin (NC); On-site; USD 59,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Weyerhaeuser in Elkin, NC is offering a full-time, entry-level Leadership Development position designed as a 12-month program. Recent graduates will grow leadership capabilities while learning manufacturing processes and wood products mill operations.

You will complete site projects, work under guided mentorship, and prepare for future leadership roles within the company as you gain hands-on experience in manufacturing and process improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or expected by June 2027 in Wood Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Willingness to relocate for future role assignments and travel within the US.

Responsibilities

• Identify improvement opportunities across the mill and implement value-added initiatives.
• Conduct mill-wide studies and trials to collect data and inform decisions.
• Develop and refine standard operating procedures to ensure quality and consistency.
• Troubleshoot quality and production issues using a structured problem-solving approach.
• Train others on effective, structured problem-solving methodologies.

Skills

Quality control

Statistics

Optimization

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Wood Science, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Leadership Development Professional | Weyerhaeuser

This is a full-time, entry-level opportunity at Weyerhaeuser, located in Elkin, NC, for recent college graduates. Weyerhaeuser sustainably manages forests and manufactures products that make the world a better place, building its reputation as a leader in sustainable wood products for over 125 years. This role is designed as a detailed 12-month development plan, where you will grow leadership skills, gain general business understanding of manufacturing processes, and learn the operations of a Wood Products mill. It is a critical step in preparing individuals for future leadership roles within the company, making a tangible difference in operations and process improvement.

The TL;DR

• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person Elkin, NC
• Pay: $58800–$88200 yearly
• Team: Works under close guidance with assigned mentors.
• Mission: To grow and strengthen leadership skills, develop a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing processes, and successfully complete site projects to prepare for future roles within the company.

What You’ll Actually Do

• Improvement: Systematically identify areas for improvement and implement value-added initiatives across the mill.
• Analysis: Conduct comprehensive mill-wide studies and trials to gather data, analyze performance, and inform decision-making.
• Documentation: Provide direct support in the development and refinement of standard operating procedures to ensure process consistency and quality.
• Troubleshooting: Actively troubleshoot and resolve quality and production issues, employing a structured approach to problem-solving.
• Training: Train other employees on effective, structured methodologies for problem-solving.

The Must-Haves

• Background: Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Wood Science, Engineering, or a related field, or currently on track to receive a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) by June 2027. This is an entry-level position seeking individuals eager to learn about and master wood products production processes.
• Experience: A willingness to relocate for the next role assignment, as it may be in another facility after successful completion of the 12-month development plan. Also, an ability and willingness to travel within the US is required.
• Skills: Ability to deliver workable, value-added solutions to solve real manufacturing problems; proficiency in communicating issues and results to both technical and non-technical audiences; a collaborative team player with a high level of initiative and the ability to excel with minimum supervision; adaptability to multiple demands, shifting work priorities, ambiguity, and change; and a working knowledge of quality control, statistics, and optimization concepts.
• Bonus: Knowledge of LEAN, Six Sigma, and Root Cause Analysis methodologies is preferred.