Pulp mill shift supervisor

WestRock Company; Demopolis, Northern (AL, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Demopolis, AL, is seeking a Pulp Mill Shift Supervisor to lead daily operations across the pulp mill, ensuring safe, efficient production of high-quality pulp and alignment with production goals.

You will supervise 10–12 hourly employees, collaborate with maintenance and engineering, uphold safety/environmental standards, drive continuous improvement, and manage crew scheduling on a 12-hour rotating shift.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of related manufacturing, pulp and paper, process operations, or industrial leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams in a safety-focused industrial environment.
• Experience coordinating production, maintenance, and operational activities to achieve business objectives.
• Proficiency with computer-based systems for scheduling, timekeeping, reporting, and process monitoring.
• Ability to work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily Pulp Mill operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance across production processes while meeting quality and production objectives.
• Supervise and develop a team of 10 to 12 hourly employees by providing direction, coaching, performance feedback, and leadership support.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, quality, and company standards while fostering a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
• Partner with maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to coordinate planned and unplanned work, minimizing downtime and maximizing equipment reliability.
• Drive operational performance by analyzing process data, engaging employees in problem-solving, and implementing effective troubleshooting and improvement solutions.
• Monitor and verify critical operational, maintenance, and compliance activities to support equipment integrity, housekeeping, and process reliability.
• Manage workforce execution through effective crew scheduling, timekeeping administration, and resource allocation to meet operational needs.
• Champion continuous improvement by promoting safe work practices, employee engagement, and alignment with Smurfit Westrock's values of safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect.

Skills

Leadership

Safety compliance

Communication

Problem-solving

Process optimization

Timekeeping

Scheduling

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Scheduling software

Process control systems

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.

Position: Pulp mill shift supervisor

Job Code: MOPOM2 + Supv, Mfg Ops

Location: Demopolis, AL

The Opportunity:

When you join Smurfit Westrock, you will be joining a team that creates sustainable paper and packaging solutions that help move the world forward. In this role, you will lead and coordinate operations across the Pulp Mill, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable production of high-quality pulp that supports the mill's overall success. You will work closely with operators, reserve team members, maintenance personnel, and mill leadership to optimize processes and respond to operational needs across the woodyard, digesters, brown stock washing, bleaching, chemical generation, and utility systems. This role plays a critical part in maintaining production performance, supporting continuous improvement, and delivering the quality products our customers depend on. For candidates who enjoy leadership, problem-solving, and making a direct impact on manufacturing operations, this is an exciting opportunity to help drive the success of a world-class paper mill.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Lead daily Pulp Mill operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance across production processes while meeting quality and production objectives.
• Supervise and develop a team of 10 to 12 hourly employees by providing direction, coaching, performance feedback, and leadership support.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, quality, and company standards while fostering a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
• Partner with maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to coordinate planned and unplanned work, minimizing downtime and maximizing equipment reliability.
• Drive operational performance by analyzing process data, engaging employees in problem-solving, and implementing effective troubleshooting and improvement solutions.
• Monitor and verify critical operational, maintenance, and compliance activities to support equipment integrity, housekeeping, and process reliability.
• Manage workforce execution through effective crew scheduling, timekeeping administration, and resource allocation to meet operational needs.
• Champion continuous improvement by promoting safe work practices, employee engagement, and alignment with Smurfit Westrock's values of safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect.

What you need to succeed:

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of related manufacturing, pulp and paper, process operations, or industrial leadership experience required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams in a safety-focused industrial environment.
• Experience coordinating production, maintenance, and operational activities to achieve business objectives.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to analyze process information and drive operational performance improvements.
• Proficiency with computer-based systems for scheduling, timekeeping, reporting, and process monitoring.
• Ability to work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous supervisory or crew leadership experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience in pulp mill operations or other continuous process manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with process control systems and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Experience coordinating operational and maintenance activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.

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.

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.