Roll Repair / Mechanical Journeyman

Sappi; Cloquet (MN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental Insurance

401(k) with generous company match

Paid vacation 2 to 6 weeks

Online development courses

Job summary

Sappi North America – Cloquet Mill is seeking a Roll Repair & Machine Shop technician. You will repair, inspect, and maintain paper machine rolls, and operate manual machine shop equipment in a large industrial setting.

The role emphasizes mechanical maintenance, reading blueprints, and precise measurements. It offers day shifts with opportunities for advance training, safety programs, and a clear path to skilled crafts within a sustainable mill environment.

Qualifications

• Two-year technical degree in a mechanical-related field, or equivalent.
• Two years of mechanical maintenance, millwright, machine shop, or related industrial experience.
• Ability to read blueprints and technical drawings.
• Experience with hand tools, precision measuring equipment, and mechanical systems.
• Valid driver's license and ability to work in a physically demanding environment.

Responsibilities

• Repair, inspect, and maintain paper machine rolls.
• Operate manual machine shop equipment including lathes, mills, and drill presses.
• Read blueprints and document roll profiles and dimensions with precision.
• Support fabrication, welding, and repair projects as needed.
• Use SAP to enter work orders and parts, and participate in safety meetings.

Skills

Mechanical maintenance

Troubleshooting

Blueprint reading

Machining

Hand tools

Precision measurement

Bearings inspection

Education

Two-year technical degree in a mechanical-related field

Tools

SAP

Job description

Sappi North America
Sappi Cloquet, established in 1898, produces high-quality graphic papers used in premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising for the fashion, automotive and travel industries, as well as speciality papers. Cloquet manufactures Verve, a dissolving pulp used for the textile and home goods markets. Energy saving and clean water initiatives at Cloquet have won environmental recognition, aligning with the mill's commitment to sustainability.

Location: Sappi Cloquet Mill
Starting Pay: $36.03 to $38.57 per hour (based on experience)
Progression Pay: Up to $43.31 per hour
Schedule: Primarily day shift (Monday-Friday) with opportunities to support rotating shift coverage

About the Role

This position supports the mill's Roll Repair Shop and Machine Shop operations. The primary focus is repairing and maintaining rolls, performing preventive maintenance, operating machine shop equipment, and supporting mechanical maintenance activities throughout the mill.

This is an excellent opportunity for mechanically skilled individuals interested in developing advanced troubleshooting, machining, and maintenance skills in a large industrial manufacturing environment.

What You'll Do

Roll Repair & Machine Shop Work

• Repair, inspect, and maintain paper machine rolls
• Operate manual machine shop equipment including lathes, mills, drill presses, balancers, and related tools
• Grind rolls and accurately document roll profiles and dimensions
• Inspect, remove, install, and set bearings
• Read and interpret mechanical drawings and blueprints
• Perform precision measurements and quality checks on completed work
• Assist with fabrication, welding, and repair projects

Additional Responsibilities

• Use SAP to enter work orders, order parts, and document work performed
• Participate in safety meetings, training, and continuous improvement activities
• Support Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) teams
• Maintain clean, organized work areas
• Work collaboratively with maintenance team members, supervisors, and vendors

What We're Looking For

Minimum Qualifications

• Two-year technical degree in a mechanical-related field or
• Two years of mechanical maintenance, millwright, machine shop, military mechanical, or related industrial experience
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills
• Experience working with hand tools, precision measuring equipment, and mechanical systems
• Ability to read blueprints and technical drawings
• Ability to inspect and set bearings
• Basic computer skills
• Valid driver's license
• Ability to work in a physically demanding industrial environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Industrial maintenance or machine shop experience
• Experience with welding, pipefitting, hydraulics, or pneumatics
• SAP experience
• Experience operating cranes and machining equipment
• Starting wage of $36.03 to $38.57 per hour
• Progression opportunities up to $43.31 per hour
• Potential to reach top pay in as little as two years through skill development and performance
• Stable, year-round employment with no seasonal layoffs
• Medical and Dental Insurance
• 401(k) with generous company match
• 2 to 6 weeks of paid vacation based on verified experience
• Free online professional and technical development courses

Schedule

Standard schedules are Monday-Friday (8-hour shifts) or Monday-Thursday (10-hour shifts). This position also serves as Roll Grinder Relief and may periodically provide coverage on a 12-hour rotating schedule (days and nights). Such assignments are not a routine part of the role, occur only as operational needs arise, and are typically communicated well in advance to allow employees time to prepare.

Safety-Sensitive Position

This is a safety-sensitive position within a heavy industrial manufacturing environment. Candidates must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the job while working in operational areas that contain magnetic and electromagnetic field exposure, moving equipment, vehicular traffic, elevated work areas, and other industrial hazards.

As a safety-sensitive employer, Sappi maintains a drug-free workplace. Successful candidates for safety-sensitive positionsmust pass all required pre-employment screeningsanddrug testing, which includes testing for marijuana/cannabis.

Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.

Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ABOUT SAPPI

Sappi isa leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can.