Paper Mill Plant Manager

Clearbridge Executive Search; Rockingham (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ClearBridge Executive Search is seeking a senior plant leader to drive safe, reliable mill operations in the tissue/paper sector. You will oversee safety, quality, production, and financial performance while guiding a large team of operators and technicians.

Ideal candidates have 15+ years in manufacturing leadership, proven papermaking and plant management experience, and a track record of sustainable performance improvements in heavy process industries.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in tissue, paper, pulp, or similar process industries.
• Proven experience leading paper machine and plant/mill operations with strong knowledge of papermaking processes, maintenance, reliability systems, and plant financial management.
• Strong leadership background with progression from Operations/Production Management into Plant or Mill Leadership, including experience leading large teams, developing talent, and driving organizational change.
• Tissue manufacturing experience strongly preferred and demonstrated ability to deliver measurable, sustainable performance results.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall plant operations to achieve safety, quality, production, reliability, and financial performance objectives.
• Champion a strong safety culture and accountability through visible leadership and disciplined operations.
• Improve equipment reliability and paper machine performance through preventive/predictive maintenance, planning and scheduling, root cause analysis, and uptime optimization.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational recovery initiatives using data-driven problem solving, measurable action plans, and performance tracking.

Skills

Leadership

Plant operations management

Data-driven problem solving

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations/Manufacturing

Job description

ResponsibilitiesLead overall plant operations to achieve safety, quality, production, reliability, and financial performance objectivesChampion a strong safety and accountability culture through visible leadership, employee engagement, and consistent operational disciplineImprove equipment reliability and paper machine performance through preventive/predictive maintenance, effective planning and scheduling, root cause analysis, and uptime optimizationManage plant financial performance by controlling cost per ton, labor, maintenance, fiber, chemical, and energy costs while identifying opportunities to improve productivityDrive continuous improvement and operational recovery initiatives using data-driven problem solving, measurable action plans, and performance tracking to improve underperforming operationsDevelop and strengthen leadership, technical, and hourly teams, building organizational capability and accountability to sustain long-term operational improvementsQualificationsBachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred, with 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in tissue, paper, pulp, or similar process industriesProven experience leading paper machine and plant/mill operations, with strong knowledge of papermaking processes, maintenance, reliability systems, and plant financial managementStrong leadership background with progression from Operations/Production Management into Plant or Mill Leadership, including experience leading large teams, developing talent, and driving organizational changeTissue manufacturing experience strongly preferred, along with the ability to improve underperforming operations and deliver measurable, sustainable performance resultsSalary: $140k - $160k + profit sharingAsk for: Aarti ManchandaClearBridge Executive Search is a New Jersey based Executive Search Firm specializing in retained searches in multiple sectors, including Manufacturing, Finance, IT, Legal, and Pharmaceutical. We have a nationwide client base and offer services in temporary and direct hire placements