Lime Kiln Operations Lead - Safety & Reliability

ND Paper; Rumford (ME); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

ND Paper in Rumford, Maine seeks an Assistant Superintendent of the Lime to lead the lime kiln and recausticizing operations with a strong emphasis on safety, reliability, and efficiency. You will guide frontline teams, drive performance improvements, and ensure regulatory compliance in a fast-paced mill environment.

Ideal candidates bring deep lime kiln knowledge, 5–10 years of pulp and paper manufacturing, and proven leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field is preferred.
• 5–10 years of pulp and paper manufacturing experience required.
• 3–5 years supervisory or leadership experience in lime kiln, recausticizing, or related ops.
• Strong understanding of lime kiln operations, combustion systems, and recausticizing processes.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and emissions compliance related to kiln operations.
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and industrial process systems.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate safety as a core value and establish a safe work environment by actively leading the safe execution of work.
• Demonstrate safety as a core value and actively lead safe work practices throughout the department
• Promote and maintain compliance with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements
• Lead daily operations of the lime kiln and recausticizing area to ensure safe, stable, and efficient production
• Monitor and optimize kiln performance, fuel consumption, lime quality, and process efficiency
• Collaborate with maintenance and engineering teams to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, production, quality, cost reduction, and environmental performance
• Ensure compliance with environmental permits, emissions requirements, and operational standards
• Develop, coach, and support operators and frontline leadership to improve department performance and accountability
• Manage staffing, scheduling, training, and employee development within the department
• Analyze process trends, operating data, and performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities
• Support outage planning, shutdown coordination, and capital improvement projects
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration across operations, maintenance, engineering, environmental, and safety teams
• Participate in incident investigations and ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained
• Maintain departmental budgets and manage operating costs effectively
• Lead by example and reinforce a culture of accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence
• Foster employee engagement and continuous learning
• Provide timely coaching, performance feedback, and development opportunities
• Support labor relations initiatives and administer policies and procedures consistently
• Drive operational discipline and adherence to standard operating procedures

Skills

Leadership

Safety leadership

Operations management

Team coordination

Communication

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Pulp & Paper Technology preferred

Tools

Industrial process control systems

Job description

ND Paper in Rumford, Maine seeks an Assistant Superintendent of the Lime to lead the lime kiln and recausticizing operations with a strong emphasis on safety, reliability, and efficiency. You will guide frontline teams, drive performance improvements, and ensure regulatory compliance in a fast-paced mill environment.

Ideal candidates bring deep lime kiln knowledge, 5–10 years of pulp and paper manufacturing, and proven leadership.