Maintenance Supervisor

Ahlstrom; Rhinelander (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ahlström? No—ensuring accuracy: Ahlstrom seeks a Maintenance Mechanical Supervisor to lead a union maintenance team in a 24/7 mill setting, prioritizing safety, reliability, and cost control. This hands-on leadership role requires coordinating with operations to keep equipment uptime high.

You will drive preventive and predictive maintenance, partner with engineering on capital projects, and foster ownership and accountability across shifts while maintaining a strong safety culture.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of maintenance supervision in manufacturing.
• Experience leading teams in a 24/7 operation.
• Experience in a union environment strongly preferred.
• Background in mechanical systems (rotating equipment, hydraulics, pneumatics, process equipment).
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US on a full‑time basis.

Responsibilities

• Champion a safety‑first culture and ensure all work is completed safely.
• Supervise mechanical maintenance for maximum uptime and reliability.
• Lead, coach, and develop a crew in a unionized environment; manage scheduling and staffing.
• Coordinate maintenance with operations to minimize downtime and align on priorities.
• Drive preventive/predictive maintenance and root cause analysis for continuous improvement.

Skills

Safety leadership

English fluency

Strong coaching

Team leadership

Education

Professional/Technical Degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CMMS

JDE

Job description

You have a choice of where you want to work! We invite you along on our journey to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to attract, retain, and energize passionate people, like you, by investing in your professional development and providing opportunities for personal growth.

Do your values align with ours?

Accountability, Growth mindset, One team, Care and a fair and inclusive work environment for everyone, everywhere!

We strive to meet the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our team, safeguarding the environment, and creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the communities where we do business.
Are you with us?!?

The Maintenance Mechanical Supervisor plays a pivotal role in keeping the mill running safely and reliably—leading a skilled union maintenance team to deliver world‑class equipment uptime and performance. This is a hands‑on leadership role where your ability to drive safety, accountability, and execution directly impacts production, cost, and culture on the floor.

Safety & Culture Leadership

• Champion a safety‑first culture—ensuring all work is completed safely, every time
• Lead daily safety engagement including toolbox talks, job briefings, and stretch routines
• Drive accountability for safe behaviors, hazard identification, and near‑miss reporting
• Partner with leadership and union teams to maintain a strong, compliant safety culture

Maintenance Execution & Reliability

• Supervise and direct mechanical maintenance across the mill to ensure maximum uptime and reliability
• Plan, prioritize, and assign daily and shutdown work based on production needs
• Ensure effective preventive and predictive maintenance programs are executed
• Identify and eliminate repeat failures through root cause thinking and continuous improvement
• Partner with engineering on capital projects, upgrades, and equipment improvements

Team Leadership in a Union Environment

• Lead, coach, and develop a crew of maintenance mechanics in a unionized environment
• Set clear expectations around safety, quality, productivity, and accountability
• Manage scheduling, overtime, and staffing to meet operational demands
• Handle employee relations including coaching, discipline, and performance management consistent with CBA and company standards
• Build a culture of ownership, craftsmanship, and pride in work

Planning, Coordination & Communication

• Collaborate daily with operations leadership to align on priorities and equipment needs
• Coordinate maintenance activities to minimize downtime and production disruption
• Ensure strong communication across shifts and departments
• Drive disciplined use of maintenance systems (JDE/CMMS) for work tracking and data accuracy

Cost & Continuous Improvement

• Manage maintenance resources effectively to reduce unnecessary overtime and contractor spend
• Improve planning and execution to maximize internal workforce utilization
• Drive improvements in work practices, efficiency, and shop organization
• Maintain documentation, equipment records, and budget awareness

What Success Looks Like

• Equipment is reliable, safe, and available when operations need it
• Maintenance work is planned, efficient, and executed with discipline
• Team members are engaged, accountable, and consistently following safety expectations
• Strong partnership exists between maintenance and operations
• Continuous improvement is visible in uptime, cost control, and work execution

Work Experience

• 3–5+ years of maintenance supervision experience in manufacturing (paper, pulp, heavy industrial preferred)
• Proven success leading teams in a 24/7 operation
• Experience working in a union environment strongly preferred
• Background in mechanical systems (rotating equipment, hydraulics, pneumatics, process equipment)
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US on a full‑time basis

Education

• Professional/Technical Degree required
• Bachelor's degree preferred

Require Competencies

• Good written and verbal communication skills as well as teamwork skills
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Confident leader who sets clear expectations and holds teams accountable
• Strong coaching skills with the ability to balance fairness and firmness
• Comfortable managing employee relations and navigating labor environments
• Strong understanding of preventive/predictive maintenance practices
• Ability to prioritize work and manage competing demands under pressure
• Experience with CMMS systems and maintenance planning tools

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non‑disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

About Us.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people.

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