Operations Manager Papermaking

Essity; Alabama; On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Wellness program

FSA

401(k) with employer match

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

PTO with holidays

Discount programs

Scholarship program for dependents

Job summary

Essity seeks an Operations Manager for its Cherokee, AL manufacturing site. You will lead safety, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives, develop staff, and drive production performance to meet regional needs.

The role requires strong TPM experience, papermaking background, and ability to influence across teams. Expect leadership in a fast-paced environment with a focus on cost control and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Paper Science or Engineering required.
• Minimum 5 years production leadership experience.
• Proven experience applying TPM processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee continuous improvement of safety in the facility for all employees and visitors.
• Develop and implement manufacturing policies to improve competitiveness and profitability.
• Lead training and development plans for all staff with HR.
• Drive production planning and capacity to support growth.
• Sponsor and lead capital projects and process improvements.

Skills

TPM

Leadership

Problem solving

Shop floor comms

Education

Bachelor's in Paper Science

Engineering degree

Tools

Passport CMMS

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Operations Manager Who We Are Essity is a global leader in health and hygiene headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with a North American headquarters located in Philadelphia, PA. We are a multi-billion-dollar company with a purpose to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, care givers, and customers across the globe. We do this through innovations in our Professional Hygiene, Personal Care, and Health & Medical business units that provide hygiene and health solutions to over a billion people every day worldwide. Working at Essity is more than a career, it is where you will play your part in a better future, to improve well-being for people and have opportunities to drive positive change for society and the environment. As an employee at Essity, you will belong to a team where you feel valued, are safe, supported to grow and challenged to generate business results in a friendly and open atmosphere.

About the Role

The Essity Professional Hygiene North America organization is currently searching for an Operations Manager for our manufacturing site in Cherokee, AL. Our intent is to develop an organization and operation capable to deliver world class results and this role is a step towards this commitment. The Operations Manager will be responsible for performance results of our papermaking operation. The Operations Manager will provide direction and be accountable for Continuous Improvement of business operations with utmost priority on safety and quality; drive operator development, performance improvement and accountability; manage and develop staff; develops and manages successful safety performance for all employees. Additionally, incumbent grows and maintains production volumes to support regional and divisional needs, develops and implements strategies to improve Mill performance, and supports the core continuous improvement principals of: Safety, Quality, Capabilities Development, Manufacturing Performance; manage material and energy savings, production cost and strategy to support business needs. The Operations manager will report to the Site Leader. We're looking for people who embody our values, aren't afraid to challenge, innovate, experiment, and move at a fast pace. We're always looking for ways to improve our products and ourselves. If this is you, we'd love to talk.

What You Will Do

• Responsible for the continuous improvement of safety performance in the facility, including all employees, visitors and contractors
• Formulates and implements manufacturing policies and programs that guide the facility in improving its competitive position and the profitability of the operation
• Works with Human Resources to develop training and development plans for all employees
• Facilitates the career growth of subordinates, making them more effective leaders and managers
• Develops the manufacturing plan and establish procedures for maintaining high standards of manufacturing operations to ensure that products conform to established customer and company quality standards
• Assists Operation Director in the development and formulation of long and short-range planning, policies, programs and objectives to improve business performance
• Plans for new production capacity and ability to respond to continual business growth
• Keeps up-to-date on information and technology affecting functional area(s) to increase innovation and ensure compliance
• Responsible to sponsor and lead projects, efficient application of capital spending that supports process improvement initiatives
• In addition, plans for organizational change initiatives and develops, monitors, and coordinates internal and external resources in support of projects
• Responsible for the development of the employee relations at the facility in accordance with the company’s principles and strategic partnerships; leadership role to drive trust and partnership with site labor
• Be a Role Model for the implementation of overall Continuous Improvement plans and activities
• Develops partnership with Site Controller to understand and drive financial impact
• Partners with Health & Safety and Environmental resources to continually improve Tissue Converting manufacturing area

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in Paper Science, Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or significant experience and leadership within our industry
• Five (5) years of production leadership experience required
• Knowledge and demonstrable experience of applying and implementing TPM processes required
• Problem solving and root cause analysis skills are a must
• Papermaking experience required
• Ability to build relationships and communicate on the shop floor with operators and engineers is essential
• Strong sense of urgency will be needed
• Strong communication, scheduling and organizing skills
• Proven ability in managing others as well as influencing and building partnerships
• Ability to lead teams through change and improvement
• Ability to work and communicate with outside resources: OEM representatives, vendors, contractors, service companies
• Personal computer skills, especially Maintenance Management software, e.g. Passport, Excel, Word, Outlook

What We Can Offer You

Compensation and Benefits: Expected Compensation: Competitive annual salary + annual incentive bonus benefits. Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors such as knowledge, skills, and experience. Along with competitive pay you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• United Healthcare PPO / EyeMed Vision Insurance / Delta Dental Insurance
• Wellness program provided through Rally
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match and annual employer base contribution
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• PTO offering with Paid Holidays
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
• Employee discounts program
• Scholarship program for children of Essity employees

Additional Information

The Company is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process please contact [e-mail]. Together, we are improving lives, every day. Working at Essity is not just a career; it is a chance to directly make the world a healthier, more hygienic and safer place. With impactful innovations coupled with sustainable solutions, we strive to reach more people every year.

Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. Our expertise began with the acquisition of the Swedish company Mölnlycke in 1975, through which our roots stretch back to 1849. Today, our sustainable innovations from globally trusted brands, designed for everybody and every body, care for the well-being of 1 billion people in 150 countries every day. Working at Essity is not just a career but a chance to make the world healthier, safer, and more hygienic. We innovate for good to break barriers and contribute to shaping a healthier future. At Essity, we have a people-first approach where every career is as unique as the individual. We empower employees to excel together and reach their full potential through a winning culture driven by a powerful purpose. Our performance-orientated environment motivates employees to think differently and embrace challenges so we can continue improving lives, every day through better hygiene and health. We provide a sustainable work-life based on flexibility for both employees and employers. We are committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in everything we do. It is the key to our success in creating an inclusive, collaborative, and caring company culture where you can be you with us. Our purpose of Breaking Barriers to Well-being, enables customers and consumers to lead fuller lives at all stages of life. Our leading global brands include TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa are sold in 150 countries. In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 146bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. We are headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. If you want to join a company where dedication to people is powered by innovation, welcome to Essity!