Manufacturing Engineer (Early Career)

Global Cellulose Fibers; Georgia; On-site; USD 85,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Life insurance

401(k) and Company‑funded retirement

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Global Cellulose Fibers is seeking an early‑career Manufacturing Engineer to partner with operations, maintenance, and technical teams to improve safety, quality, and efficiency at our pulp mill sites. The role offers exposure to world‑class manufacturing practices and opportunities to lead improvement projects across multiple facilities.

You will contribute to process optimization, data analysis, and capital projects while developing technical leadership in a heavy industrial environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline and up to three years of related experience.
• Internship, co‑op, research, or project experience within manufacturing or heavy industrial environments preferred.
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement principles is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Learn and apply Manufacturing Excellence (ME) principles to identify opportunities for improvement in safety, quality, reliability, productivity, energy usage, and cost performance.
• Support process improvement initiatives by collecting and analyzing data, identifying performance gaps, and developing practical recommendations.
• Collaborate with operators, maintenance technicians, engineers, and production leaders to troubleshoot process issues and optimize mill performance.
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts focused on energy, chemicals, raw materials, reliability, productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Assist with the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of improvement opportunities within the assigned operating area.
• Demonstrate visible leadership and commitment to safety while actively participating in the mill's safety programs and initiatives.
• Support process and equipment investigations to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Participate in capital and operational improvement projects from concept development through implementation and startup.
• Monitor process performance, develop key performance metrics, and communicate findings to operational teams.
• Work with cross-functional teams to implement solutions that improve safety, reliability, quality, and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to 5S and workplace organization initiatives while supporting audits and improvement activities.
• Support cost reduction and operational excellence initiatives that improve overall mill performance.
• Assist in developing standards, operating procedures, and systems that sustain performance improvements.
• Provide technical support during equipment outages, shutdowns, and startup activities as needed.
• Develop a broad understanding of pulp mill operations through direct engagement with manufacturing processes and operating teams.
• Participate in on‑call or weekend support responsibilities as experience and business needs require.

Skills

Safety mindset

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Teamwork

Communication skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Time management

Willingness to learn

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Paper Science, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial)

Up to three years of relevant experience (internships/co-ops)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Role

The Manufacturing Engineer partners with operations, maintenance, reliability, environmental, and technical teams to improve manufacturing processes, safety performance, product quality, and operational efficiency within an assigned area of the mill. This role provides an exceptional opportunity for early-career engineers to develop technical expertise, gain hands‑on manufacturing experience, and contribute to projects that drive world‑class performance in a complex industrial environment. This role will be based in one of manufacturing facility locations: Columbus, MS; Franklin, VA; New Bern, NC; Riegelwood, NC; Port Wentworth, GA; Flint River, GA.

Position Title

Manufacturing Engineer (Early Career)

Global Cellulose Fibers

Pay Rate

$85,000 - $89,000

Category/Shift

Salaried Full-Time

About The Role

The Manufacturing Engineer partners with operations, maintenance, reliability, environmental, and technical teams to improve manufacturing processes, safety performance, product quality, and operational efficiency within an assigned area of the mill. This role provides an exceptional opportunity for early-career engineers to develop technical expertise, gain hands‑on manufacturing experience, and contribute to projects that drive world‑class performance in a complex industrial environment. This role will be based in one of manufacturing facility locations: Columbus, MS; Franklin, VA; New Bern, NC; Riegelwood, NC; Port Wentworth, GA; Flint River, GA.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Learn and apply Manufacturing Excellence (ME) principles to identify opportunities for improvement in safety, quality, reliability, productivity, energy usage, and cost performance.
• Support process improvement initiatives by collecting and analyzing data, identifying performance gaps, and developing practical recommendations.
• Collaborate with operators, maintenance technicians, engineers, and production leaders to troubleshoot process issues and optimize mill performance.
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts focused on energy, chemicals, raw materials, reliability, productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Assist with the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of improvement opportunities within the assigned operating area.
• Demonstrate visible leadership and commitment to safety while actively participating in the mill's safety programs and initiatives.
• Support process and equipment investigations to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Participate in capital and operational improvement projects from concept development through implementation and startup.
• Monitor process performance, develop key performance metrics, and communicate findings to operational teams.
• Work with cross-functional teams to implement solutions that improve safety, reliability, quality, and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to 5S and workplace organization initiatives while supporting audits and improvement activities.
• Support cost reduction and operational excellence initiatives that improve overall mill performance.
• Assist in developing standards, operating procedures, and systems that sustain performance improvements.
• Provide technical support during equipment outages, shutdowns, and startup activities as needed.
• Develop a broad understanding of pulp mill operations through direct engagement with manufacturing processes and operating teams.
• Participate in on‑call or weekend support responsibilities as experience and business needs require.

About You: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Upcoming graduate or early‑career engineer with up to three years of relevant experience, including internships, co‑ops, or manufacturing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship, co‑op, research, or project experience within manufacturing, process industries, or heavy industrial environments.
• Exposure to process improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement principles.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.
• Desire to work in a heavy manufacturing environment around large industrial equipment where conditions may be hot, noisy, dusty, and physically demanding.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and motivation to continuously improve technical and leadership skills.
• Effective organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment while taking ownership of assigned work.
• Demonstrated leadership experiences through internships, co‑ops, academic projects, student organizations, athletics, military service, volunteer work, or other extracurricular activities.
• Comfortable engaging with operators, technicians, maintenance technicians, contractors, engineers, and mill leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and a willingness to learn manufacturing and data analysis systems.

About Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF)

Our GCF business helps customers transform renewable cellulose fibers into essential everyday products. Our safe, high‑quality pulp forms the basis for a wide range of applications like towel and tissue products, diapers, feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. In addition, our specialty pulp serves as a sustainable raw material used in construction materials, paints, coatings and more. GCF generated $2.8B in revenue in 2024 and has 3,300 employees globally, with nine manufacturing facilities and eight regional offices. Additional information can be found by visiting globalcellulosefibers.com.

Why GCF

Global Cellulose Fibers 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.

As an early‑career engineer, you will receive hands‑on experience, mentorship from experienced manufacturing professionals, exposure to large‑scale industrial processes, and opportunities to lead increasingly complex projects that contribute directly to mill performance and business success. This role provides a strong foundation for future technical and leadership opportunities within manufacturing operations.

We've Got You Covered

At Global Cellulose Fibers, our employees are our most important asset and that's reflected in our benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans. We are proud to offer a variety of benefits to support our employees and their families, including:

• Medical, Dental, Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short‑term and Long‑term Disability
• 401(k) and Company‑funded retirement contributions
• Paid Time Off

Physical Location of Position

As an early career engineer, you will hire directly into one of manufacturing facility locations: Columbus, MS; Franklin, VA; New Bern, NC; Riegelwood, NC; Port Wentworth, GA; Flint River, GA.

Global Cellulose Fibers 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. Global Cellulose Fibers 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].