Value Stream Team Leader (Suominen)

Ahlstrom; Windsor Locks (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ahlstrom is seeking a seasoned production supervisor to lead daily operations in our Windsor Locks facility. You will oversee converting lines, coach staff, and ensure safety, quality, and efficiency in all activities.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong communication, and the ability to solve problems quickly. Ideal candidates will have 5+ years in converting operations, 8–10 years in process industries, and a proven track record of supervising machine teams within a manufacturing

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of experience in converting operations in a process industry; 8–10 years total in the field; teaching competency.
• Minimum 4–6 years as a Machine Tender with supervisory/lead experience.
• Knowledge of Ahlstrom Information Security policies and use of information systems.
• Computer literacy required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct crew daily duties; ensure environmental and safety procedures are followed.
• Record raw materials, quality, and production data; maintain key metrics in control.
• Provide coaching, support and regular feedback to staff; conduct performance reviews.
• Coordinate maintenance activities and upkeep housekeeping standards.
• Operate process equipment during production and participate in grade changes and machine cleanings.

Skills

Team Leadership

End-To-End Process Understanding

Engaging and Open Communication

Rapid Problem Solving

HSE Management

Continuous Improvement

Tools

SAP

CarelMill

CareLab

Ahlflow

Panther

OptiRep

Job description

Purpose of the job

Lead and participate in the day-to-day activities necessary to produce and convert specialty products in a safe and environmentally compliant manner that is efficient and cost effective within assigned area. To achieve high standards of workmanship and the timely completion of patterns or mill orders at the lowest unit cost. Responsible for housekeeping and safety in assigned work

areas.

• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of associated defined value stream.
• Schedule, lead and direct crew personnel in their daily duties, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety procedures, accurate and proper recording of raw materials, quality, and production data within the department.
• Provides coaching, support and regular feedback to staff.
• Prepares and conducts performance reviews as well as disciplinary action in accordance with Ahlstrom policy.
• Assists in training of personnel in the use of current/new/modified equipment.
• Provides necessary troubleshooting so that key metrics are in control.
• Able to work safely and independently to identify and resolve any quality issues.
• Coordinates maintenance activities and maintains a high standard of housekeeping for assigned area.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Coordinates Trials with crews and R and D.
• Ability to communicate quality or machine and area issues that occur during off hours and relay the communication to appropriate personnel.
• Is responsible and held accountable for his/her group’s safety performance.
• Participates in all accident investigations relating to incidents within his/her area as needed.
• Focus on meeting defined goals thru teamwork.
• Initiates documentation related to crew performance issues good or bad.
• Operate process equipment during production and take part as an active team member during all grade changes and machine cleanings on all equipment for both 410/415 machines .

Purpose of the job

Lead and participate in the day-to-day activities necessary to produce and convert specialty products in a safe and environmentally compliant manner that is efficient and cost effective within assigned area. To achieve high standards of workmanship and the timely completion of patterns or mill orders at the lowest unit cost. Responsible for housekeeping and safety in assigned work

areas.

• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of associated defined value stream.
• Schedule, lead and direct crew personnel in their daily duties, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety procedures, accurate and proper recording of raw materials, quality, and production data within the department.
• Provides coaching, support and regular feedback to staff.
• Prepares and conducts performance reviews as well as disciplinary action in accordance with Ahlstrom policy.
• Assists in training of personnel in the use of current/new/modified equipment.
• Provides necessary troubleshooting so that key metrics are in control.
• Able to work safely and independently to identify and resolve any quality issues.
• Coordinates maintenance activities and maintains a high standard of housekeeping for assigned area.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Coordinates Trials with crews and R and D.
• Ability to communicate quality or machine and area issues that occur during off hours and relay the communication to appropriate personnel.
• Is responsible and held accountable for his/her group’s safety performance.
• Participates in all accident investigations relating to incidents within his/her area as needed.
• Focus on meeting defined goals thru teamwork.
• Initiates documentation related to crew performance issues good or bad.
• Operate process equipment during production and take part as an active team member during all grade changes and machine cleanings on all equipment for both 410/415 machines .

Communication

(position’s responsibility for communications both within and outside the organization)

Internally

• Internal communication necessary with all associated personnel related to the line so that any and all pertinent information is clearly understood.

Externally

Experience And Education

(minimum level of knowledge and skills to fulfill one’s responsibilities)

Work Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of previous experience in converting operations with a total of 8 to 10 years of experience working in a process industry. Must also posess a teaching competency for all related processes.
• Minimum 4 – 6 years as a Machine Tender, with a teaching competency for all related processes, previous supervisory and or team leader experience. (MANUFACTURING ONLY)
• Must have knowledge of Ahlstrom Information Security policies and is responsible for ensuring information security when handling information and maintaining or using information systems or information networks.
• Computer literacy required.

Formal education

No requirements

Essential Job Functions

• Identify and immediately report any unsafe act, condition or potential hazard following company policy.
• Constant alertness; must be able to complete multiple tasks correctly and simultaneously.
• Must be able to prioritize and delegate tasks to safely maintain quality production.
• Must be able to coordinate groups of production machine, converting and support staff personnel.
• Must be able to make proper decisions and/or judgments pertaining to product quality during production.
• Must be able to work safely, independently, quickly and accurately with little supervision required.
• Must strictly adhere to on-call policy responsibilities.
• Must be able to work consecutive days within our company policy guidelines with little advanced notification.
• Must be able to coordinate, guide and train personnel within designated work area.
• Accurately verify records of material usages as they pertain to designated area.
• Ensure any non-conforming material in any state raw/semi-finished/finished is clearly and accurately identified along with any necessary documentation so that it can be properly disposition.
• Ensure that all Lock-Out/Tag-Out and Confined Space procedures are complied with.
• Ensure that all roll tickets are generated with accurate and correct information and marking rolls are correct with ticket information.
• Understand functions of and be able to operate all related systems connected to area of responsibility piping, hot/cold water (supply and effluent), steam (supply, usage, and condensate), air (pneumatic), electrical, camera and alarms.
• Must understand and be able to use necessary functions and capability of CarelMill, CareLab, Ahlflow, Panther, OptiRep. SAP and basis weight control systems.
• Must be able to accept direction from multiple sources of authority.
• Must be able to identify all machine parts and systems and know their function as related to process and or converting.
• Must know how to start equipment from a “cold start”.
• Perform frequent, sustained visual inspection of product for quality and appearance during manufacturing and converting.
• Must be able to properly identify off quality product during manufacturing and conversion of the material.
• Safely and properly operate the overhead cranes.
• Understand function of and location of electrical breaker systems.
• Understand the area that is assigned for housekeeping responsibility and the level of cleanliness that is expected in that area.
• Understand and comply with general, departmental and job specific safety rules, as well as the Site Safety plan at Ahlstrom.
• Understand and comply with Plant Environmental guidelines, as well as federal and state mandated RCRA Waste Handling and Recycling Procedures.
• Capable of inspecting equipment setups and auditing workmanship.
• Must have required basic math skill to perform any related calculations within area of responsibility.
• Must be able to perform safety audits.
• Must be able to handle crew coordination for the handling and transportation to the machine of the installation machine clothing with the help of other machine personnel. This also includes the disassembling and reassembling of machine structures, which require high manual dexterity, use of hand tools, lifting and climbing of ladders and catwalks. Is responsible for the machine clothing change crew. (MANUFACTURING ONLY)
• Must know how to read and record a setting card and associated batching instructions with a high degree of accuracy.(MANUFACTURING ONLY)
• Must make proper machine adjustments in response to quality control testing results of physical and attribute samples. (MANUFACTURING ONLY)
• Must be able to read, understand and make proper adjustment for attribute and physical property test results as they relate to standard specifications. (MANUFACTURING ONLY)
• Safe and proper cleaning of all necessary machine Wet End systems. (MANUFACTURING ONLY)
• Conducts monthly safety meetings for employees. (AS AREA REQUIRES)

Required Competencies

• Must conduct business and present him/herself within Ahlstrom’s standard values
• Must present him/herself at high level of integrity as a role model for all employees
• Step in for any employee performing any task on the line (provided trained to do so)
• Cross train within or outside the area in other position(s).
• Demonstrated Mechanical Aptitude
• End-To-End Process Understanding
• Engaging and Open Communication
• Performance Management
• Team Leadership
• Continuous improvement methodology knowledge
• Driving results for value
• HSE Management
• Rapid Problem Solving
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.

Physical Demands

• Frequent exposure to extreme heat; ability to work in a hot environment for 12 hours.
• Frequent handling of weights up to 50 lbs.
• Must possess a minimum corrected vision of 20/40. Vision to be checked every 2 years with records to reside in the Medical Dept.
• Must possess high manual dexterity including ascending and descending stairs, ramps and ladders.
• Must be able to wear/use required P.P.E. (Personal Protective Equipment).
• Must have tested adequate hearing ability to ensure safe operations.
• Must possess a sufficient level of agility for climbing catwalks, working around moving machinery with hot surfaces, as well as working in wet environments. (MANUFACTURING ONLY).
• Access; enter any and all vessels, chests, tanks, silos and or pipes for cleaning, inspection or repair.
• Climb all stairs and ladders either attached or portable.
• Stand, sit or walk for long periods of time.
• Provide attendant duties for personnel while in a confined space.
• Hold and or operate devices (hose, T-bar, cleaning pads, brooms, and mops).
• Have the ability to bend, crouch and kneel for periods.
• Able to use any tool deemed acceptable by the company.
• Hold safety rail with at least one hand while ascending or descending and stair or ladder while performing tasks.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Join our journey to create a more sustainable world with products and solutions that Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our three divisions, Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions.

We are deeply committed to building and maintaining safe and inclusive environment and culture, where everyone feels valued and respected. At Ahlstrom, we all have equal opportunities to belong and reach our full potential.

Our net sales in 2024 amounted to EUR 3.0 billion and we employ some 6,800 people.