Paper Machine Superintendent

Smurfit Westrock; Longview (WA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K matching

Paid time off

Job summary

WestRock is seeking a Paper Machine Superintendent to lead safety, performance, and environmental metrics on the paper machine. You will direct supervision of the maintenance coordinator, process engineers, operators, and union crews to optimize uptime, quality, and costs.

The role requires a BS in Engineering or equivalent experience, 10+ years of supervisory work on machinery, and strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering or equivalent Paper Machine Supervisory experience.
• 10+ years of Machine Level Supervisory Experience preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting and decision-making skills.
• Strong organizational skills and analytical capability.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Computer skills and proficiency development are mandatory.
• Periodic weekend duty.
• Respond to machine issues afterhours, weekends, holidays as required.
• Work involves standing, walking, lifting up to 25 lbs, PPE required.

Responsibilities

• Manage paper machine engineering support team, Operations Maintenance Coordinator, and crews.
• Direct supervision of union hourly employees on the paper machine.
• Lead safety culture and continuous improvement initiatives on the floor.
• Oversee capital projects, cost controls, and reliability improvements.
• Coordinate planning, scheduling, and vendor interactions for machine performance.
• Develop and coach workforce for improved machine performance.
• Report to Paper Mill Manager and support cross-functional teams.

Skills

BS degree in Engineering

10+ years supervisory

Troubleshooting

Leadership

Communication

Computer literacy

Weekend duty

After-hours support

Physical readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

None

Job description

The opportunity:

The Paper Machine Superintendent is responsible for Paper Machine safety, performance, environmental performance, product quality, costs and equipment efficiency, and productivity. This position will direct a system with the purpose of optimizing overall paper machine performance results. The Paper Machine Supt is also responsible for the direction of an Operations Maintenance Coordinator, process engineering support, operator training program, and union hourly employees assigned to the paper machine.

How you will impact WestRock:

• Actively assist in developing a safety culture at the floor level resulting in an injury free workplace and assist in implementing paper mill safety efforts at the crew level.
• Develop and implement process to promote safety engagement with operating team members.
• Lead Paper Machine Performance in regard to productivity, uptime, quality rejects, and other paper machine improvement projects.
• Implement and drive process to ensure proper performance machine rounds are completed and operator logs reviewed multiple times per day.
• Prepare and plan for outages and Lock Out/Tag Out and lead the execution strategy.
• Serve as the floor level lead in the implementation of a Continuous Improvement culture.
• Lead the RI process and ensure actionable items completed timely.
• Drive capital improvement process on Paper Machine. Determine needs, develop projects, and be operations lead through the entire capital process.
• Drive cost reduction process. Monitor costs (chemical, maintenance, machine clothing, etc) and develop cost reduction priorities. Implement cost reduction processes.
• Quality control oversight for Paper Machine.
• Working with planning on machine schedules and grade structure.
• Working with vendors to optimize machine and achieve target reliability.
• Facilitate the development of the knowledge and skills of employees to improve machine performance.
• Periodic weekend duty coverage as Paper Mill Representative.
• Actively demonstrate support for Paper Mill Manager and assigned machine core team including attending Core Team Meetings.
• Develop a positive, proactive, enthused, and energized workforce.
• Actively coach other paper machine superintendents and support their efforts and needs when issues arise.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Paper Mill Manager.

What you need:

• A BS degree in Engineering or equivalent Paper Machine Supervisory experience.
• 10+ years of Machine Level Supervisory Experience is preferred.
• Strong trouble shooting and decision-making skills required.
• Strong organizational skills and acumen for analytical tools to provide direction to Process Engineer.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Computer skills /ability to develop a proficiency is mandatory.
• Periodic weekend duty.
• Respond to machine issues afterhours, weekends, holidays as required.
• Position requires regular keyboarding, sitting, standing and walking as well as occasional lifting of 25lbs or more. Work is performed in both an office environment and all paper mill operational areas where one may be exposed to environmental noises and hazards as well as severe climate changes.
• Use of proper personal protection equipment is required depending on the location and potential hazards including safety shoes, safety vest, hard hat, gloves, hearing protection, safety glasses, and respiratory protection.

Leadership and Management Responsibilities

• Manages paper machine engineering support team members, Paper Machine Operations Maintenance Coordinator, and Paper Machine Crews. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work at the crew level; performance management; mentoring; managing disciplinary actions; fielding complaints and communicating to Paper Mill Manager to assist in problem resolution.
• Position has direct reporting responsibilities to the Paper Mill Manager which includes assignment of work to Crews and compliance with policies and applicable laws and oversight of individual salaried performance or issues.
• Directs and supervises the work of contract employees on floor level activities.Provides assistance to cross-functional project teams as assigned by the Paper Machine Manager.
• Manage and maintain operations within allocated performance metrics and floor level budget metrics.

Compensation Offered

• Salary Range: $121,875 – $203,125 Salary based on experience of candidate. Short-Term Incentive Plan bonus available.

Benefits Offered

WestRock offers a variety of benefits and group health insurance options, the premium costs of which are currently shared by employees and WestRock (e.g., health, dental, vision, disability, flexible spending account, HSA, life insurance, paid time off, employee assistance program, matching 401K).

What we offer:

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.