Production Superintendent

WestRock Company; Delaware Water Gap (PA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, vision

401k with match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Production Superintendent for its Delaware Water Gap, PA mill. This leader will direct a 24/7 coated board operation, guiding shifts and driving safety, quality, and cost performance in a team-based environment.

The role requires strong paper-making knowledge, supervisory experience in a union setting, and a focus on continuous improvement, performance metrics, and cross-function collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum BS in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering or Pulp & Paper science.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate production of a one-machine coated board mill with direct/indirect supervision.
• Promote safety and enforce OSHA compliance in all mill operations.
• Plan and direct production activities and establish priorities to optimize operations and cost.
• Coordinate with Customer Service, Maintenance, Quality, and Shipping to maximize utilization.
• Review production reports (OEE, downtime, waste) to identify root causes.
• Prepare reports for the Operations Manager and assist capital planning.
• Drive continuous improvement and update methods to improve safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Revise schedules due to equipment issues or last-minute demands while protecting safety.
• Supervise five Shift Supervisors and participate in recruitment and training.
• Ensure wastewater treatment plant operates efficiently and in compliance.
• Lead special projects and provide mill support as needed.
• Participate in employee relations per policies and labor agreement.

Skills

Team leadership

Safety leadership

Continuous improvement

Communication

Operations planning

Education

BS in Chemical/Mechanical Eng or Pulp & Paper science

Tools

PI (Process Information System)

JDE

MS Office & CMMS

Job description

Position: Production Superintendent

Job Code: MOPOM4 + Mgr II, Mfg Ops

Location: Delaware Water Gap, PA (Stroudsburg paper mill)

The Opportunity:

The Production Superintendent position directs and coordinates, through direct and indirect report supervisory personnel, manufacturing activities of a one machine Coated Recycled Board mill to expand the capabilities of both the process & personnel to sustain best in class operating and cost performance. The Superintendent is a key member of the Mill Leadership Team and will be integral to mill long term planning and success. Results are reviewed through mill key performance metrics for safety, quality, production, productivity, and succession planning.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Through direct action and with direct reports (Shift Supervisors) manage the production operation safely and efficiently 24 hours per day and seven days per week
• Actively promote and model safety in all aspects of daily mill operations. Direct, maintain and enforce the safety program for the department; assure compliance with OSHA and Smurfit Westrock regulations and guidelines
• Plan and direct production activities and establish production priorities consistent with effective operations and cost factors
• Coordinate production activities with Customer Service Department, Maintenance, Quality Control and Shipping/Receiving activities to obtain optimum production and utilization of personnel, machines, and equipment
• Ensure daily all standards and customer commitments (i.e., Safety, Waste Reduction, Reporting & Analysis, Production, on-time delivery) are followed within the plant
• Review and analyze production reports (OEE, downtime, waste, etc.) to determine causes of nonconformity with product specifications, and/or operating or production problems
• Prepare and submit reports as required by the Operations Manager
• Provide input and recommendations for capital planning
• Collaborate with and assist the facility OM in the development and implementation of operating methods and procedures designed to eliminate operating problems and improve product quality
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives; monitor all control procedures, recommending improvements to the Operations Manager as appropriate
• Revise production schedules and priorities as needed as a result of equipment failure, operating problems or last-minute customer demands while ensuring customer quality and employee safety is not compromised
• Directly supervise five Shift Supervisors: responsible for employee training and development
• Environmental compliance. Ensure efficient operation and troubleshooting of the wastewater treatment plant
• Provide mill support as part of the Operations Call Duty rotation
• Establish individual and group goals and accountabilities and evaluate work performance for direct reports; review and approve performance evaluations for indirect reports
• Build an effective partnership with plant hourly employees and maintenance team to improve overall plant safety performance, equipment uptime, operational costs, and production
• Handle employee relations issues in accordance with Divisional and Corporate policies and procedures along with practices covered in the local labor agreement
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of manufacturing personnel
• Lead and participate in special projects, as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

What you need to succeed:

• Strong functional knowledge of the paper manufacturing process including recycled pulping, screening & cleaning, wet end operations, drying, coating, and winding
• Ability to work in a team-based environment, participating, coaching, and leading Performance Excellence Teams to achieve mill goals
• Demonstrated strong written & verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices
• Proficient in PI (Process Information System) utilization or equivalent process database
• Proficient in JDE or equivalent CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)
• Proficient in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphics (such as MS Office applications) to store, organize and analyze department operational data as well as generate training documents

Education/Experience

• BS degree in related field such as Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Pulp and Paper science
• Minimum ten years' experience in pulp and paper industry
• 5 years supervisory experience in a union environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

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.
• Benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k with match, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, employee referral bonus, and much more!
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.