Paper Mill Supervisor

Smurfit Westrock; Roanoke Rapids, Northern (NC, KY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock Roanoke Rapids Mill is seeking a Pulp & Power Shift Supervisor to lead a union hourly crew and drive safe, reliable operations. You will manage 12 batch digesters, washer lines, and power generation equipment, delivering production targets with a focus on safety and environmental compliance.

Successful candidates bring engineering training or equivalent experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and a proven track record in pulp and paper operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field with 3+ years relevant experience.
• 5+ years pulp/paper mill experience preferred.
• 3+ years direct supervisory experience required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee safe execution of mill operations and environmental compliance.
• Lead shift to meet production goals for 12 batch digesters and related equipment.
• Manage equipment downtime, troubleshoot, and optimize maintenance.
• Conduct safety meetings, incidents investigations, and safety program initiatives.
• Develop hourly employees through training and performance reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Safety leadership

Communication

Project management

Team supervision

Industrial safety

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

High School diploma/GED

Job description

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

THE OPPORTUNITY

When you join Smurfit Westrock Roanoke Rapids Mill, you will be part of a team that creates sustainable paper and packaging solutions that help move the world forward. Responsible for effectively leading a crew of hourly (union) employees to meet or exceed mill goals. Will lead the crew to address the day-to-day demands of the Pulp & Power department. Overall responsibilities include the oversight of safe execution of all mill activities including maintaining environmental compliance, achieving quality targets, ensuring customer satisfaction, managing cost, meeting production goals, completing training, leading & developing direct reports, and maintaining employee & labor relations.

As the Pulp & Power Shift Supervisor, you will be responsible for personnel, safety, environmental compliance, quality, cost, and performance of the daily operation of 12 batch digesters, 3 washer lines, steam and power generation equipment, recovery, and recausticizing equipment throughout your shift. You will identify opportunities within the shift to improve performance and manage the quality/production efforts of the Pulp & Power hourly crew; you will lead efforts to achieve key performance metrics that support overall mill goals.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Manage the quality of the pulp, steam, chemicals, water, and wastewater, ensuring all products are within specifications and meet customer needs
• Model and promote safety within the shift by leading safety meetings, responding to potential hazards, coordinating with shift maintenance to correct hazards, performing safety audits, and partnering with advocates and safety leaders to support all safety program initiatives
• Manage performance and downtime of the equipment by troubleshooting and preventing issues that could cause downtime and resolving issues in timely fashion
• Work with other salaried personnel to ensure equipment downtime is fully utilized and scheduled to optimize the maintenance work that can be performed while the equipment is down
• Partner with the Maintenance Supervisor and Maintenance Planner to identify and prioritize maintenance work
• Review production and quality results on the mill’s database(s) daily
• Lead the accident/incident investigation for any incidents that occur on your shift
• Assist with the review and approval of engineering drawings and designs to prevent equipment and/or process conflicts
• Utilize the department’s Standard Operating Guidelines to ensure compliance with the safe and efficient operation of the equipment
• Assist with the review and identification of root causes for issues
• Supervise the hourly employees and ensure necessary training, development, and support is available
• Establish individual goals and evaluate work performance for direct reports
• Develop effective partnerships with hourly employees to improve overall plant production
• Assist with the review and updating of department training material, specifically working with operators to coach them in the qualification process

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field and 3+ years relevant experience or High School diploma/GED and 10+ years related experience.
• 5+ years of pulp/paper mill experience preferred
• 3+ years of direct supervisory experience required
• Previous work experience in a unionized location is preferred
• Ability to work rotating 12-hour shifts
• Experience implementing safety initiatives
• Proven track record of leadership and project management skills leveraged to enable employees to achieve goals and objectives
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills leveraged to motivate stakeholders and achieve alignment across the organization
• Ability to learn proprietary software programs
• Aligned with our company’s values of Integrity, Respect, Accountability, and Excellence

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Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.