Operations Manager

Sappi; Westbrook (ME); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sappi North America, Westbrook Mill in Maine, seeks an experienced Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead safe, efficient production of release papers and drive continuous improvement across the operation. You will champion a strong safety culture, align with union leadership, and optimize performance to meet customers' needs.

The role covers Coating, Converting, Finishing, Material Handling, and Shipping, partnering with site leadership to sustain cost control, asset performance, and quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Minimum 10 years of manufacturing experience.
• Leadership in a unionized manufacturing setting is required.
• Demonstrated success with Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong budgeting and cost-management skills.
• Experience with labor relations, employee development, and strategic planning.
• Strong leadership, decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety culture and ensure compliance with safety programs and procedures.
• Drive employee engagement and collaborate with union leadership and employees.
• Develop and execute production plans to meet customer requirements while maximizing efficiency, quality, and reliability.
• Coordinate manufacturing activities with Customer Service, Maintenance, Engineering, and Procurement to achieve objectives.
• Lead and develop salaried and hourly employees, including performance management and training.
• Support labor relations activities, including grievance resolution and participation in labor negotiations.
• Manage operating budgets, monitor expenditures, analyze variances, and identify cost-improvement opportunities.
• Partner with site leadership to develop and execute long-term operational strategies and capital plans.
• Drive Lean and Lean Six Sigma initiatives to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Financial acumen

Labor relations

Strategic planning

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Sappi North America
Sappi Westbrook near Portland, Maine is where our history began in 1854 with the S. D. Warren Company. It is the site of the first coated papermaking facility in the US and the place where Sappi North America first developed its reputation for quality and innovation. The Westbrook Mill manufactures Casting and Release papers used in a myriad of diverse applications, including the fashion, automotive, aerospace and flooring industries. Our vegan-leather and natural textures can be seen in many products around the world ranging from shoes to handbags and car interiors to countertops.

We are seeking an experienced and results-oriented Manufacturing Operations Manager to join our Mill Leadership Team in Westbrook, Maine. This role is responsible for leading the safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacture of release paper products while driving operational excellence, employee engagement, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.

The Manufacturing Operations Manager provides leadership for the Coating, Converting, Finishing, Material Handling, and Shipping functions and is accountable for achieving production goals, optimizing asset performance, developing employees, managing costs, and fostering a strong safety culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and promote a culture of safety, ensuring compliance with all safety programs, policies, and procedures.
• Drive employee engagement through effective communication and collaboration with union leadership and employees at all levels.
• Develop and execute production plans to meet customer requirements while maximizing efficiency, quality, and reliability.
• Coordinate manufacturing activities with Customer Service, Maintenance, Engineering, and Procurement to achieve business objectives.
• Lead, coach, and develop salaried and hourly employees, including performance management, training, and workforce development.
• Support labor relations activities, including grievance resolution and participation in labor negotiations.
• Manage operating budgets, monitor expenditures, analyze variances, and identify opportunities to improve financial performance.
• Partner with site leadership to develop and execute long‑term operational strategies and capital improvement plans.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing and Lean Six Sigma principles, enhancing safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Prior leadership experience in a unionized manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting and cost management.
• Proven experience in labor relations, employee development, communication, and strategic planning.
• Strong leadership, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills.

Preferred

• Lean Six Sigma certification or advanced Lean Six Sigma experience.
• Experience with paper manufacturing, coating operations, or related process industries.
• Familiarity with release paper products and manufacturing processes.

Salaried: salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.
Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ABOUT SAPPI

Sappi isa leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre‑based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can.