Fiberline Subject Matter Expert (SME)

International Paper•Memphis, TN

1d•Remote

About The Position

Technology Subject Matter Experts (SME)s are internal consultants who use expertise and leadership to deliver improvement within the manufacturing system on a wide range of assignments. The duties vary between practicing safety leadership, troubleshooting, deliberate improvement projects, capital projects, equipment and process studies and audits. The SME must be able to work with minimum guidance and supervision. A key component of a SME’s job is to transfer knowledge and skills to mill personnel to build on-site capability. The SME must have excellent communication and collaboration skills being able to quickly engage and influence employees from all levels of the organization from executive to the shop floor, including vendors and contractors. The Fiberline SME is known throughout the enterprise and the industry as a leader in the field and is increasingly requested by name. This individual drives the organization to world-class levels in their area of expertise and beyond. The SME must possess ability to independently manage change and projects of any size, leading and clearly communicating very complicated analysis to wide audiences. This person influences the organization’s strategic direction particularly in the area of expertise and is aware of and shapes trends in field at the leading edge of propagating these developments. The Fiberline SME is comfortable working in all of these areas, and has passion that influences the facilities to improve. This expert delivers strong results, but may not necessarily be known for a broad skill set or throughout the enterprise as the go-to person to solve the very hardest problems. Performance measurements are based on the following set of skills and competencies: Leadership / Managerial Interpersonal Savvy – The individual can effectively interact with all levels of the company, across the wide range cultures and languages within IP operations. The SME has the ability to interface with and technically develop and mentor others within the area of expertise Learning on the Fly & Problem Solving – This person is the expert within their area of specialization and must continuously self-develop technical skills as the situation dictates. Presentation & Communication Skills – This person must employ strong verbal and written skills in the rapid communication of issue resolution and new opportunity development. The SME is functional across a range of environments, and generally fits into team settings, but may not emerge as the clear leader in all situations. Global exposure and ability to work in several countries is evident. The SME is able to delegate and work through others much of the time and particularly at the facility level, forming relationships that create trust and results. The SME is becoming more strategic, but is often more tactical in attacking a problem. The SME is able to support numerous projects and can lead a project at a limited level within a facility, but is generally not leading enterprise or business-wide projects. Functional / Technical Contributes to, and delivers improving safety results, with a specific emphasis in the area of expertise. Technical knowledge of the area as it relates to proper operations. Capable of leading cost savings improvement teams; evaluating operational data, cost reduction project identification, Due Diligence reviews (as required), facility productivity/capacity expansion evaluations and developing business case justification through high-level capital and cost savings estimates often working with WinGEMs modelers and other modeling techniques. Able to develop and review major scope items and develop FEL 1 & FEL 2 capital cost estimates. Involved in new process develop for fiber lines with established supplier contacts regarding latest designs and process modifications. Capable of leading general facility assessments such as replacement cost analysis, tax basis evaluations and general Manufacturing Excellence (ME) reviews of facilities or business units. Within subject matter, wide range of process knowledge backed by relevant/extensive mill level problem solving experiences with proven ability to provide support/consultation to other technology teams. The success of the position is highly dependent on productivity while maintaining credibility. The SME must balance discipline around engineering hypothesis (or model) validation with experienced judgment. Nearly all the SME’s work will be collaborative. Effective communication with other team members and leveraging their expertise is a key aspect of the role. Likewise, effective communication with internal customers and bringing clarity to complex issues is a key challenge. Directly influences profitability impact annually from among the following Reduction in consumption of direct raw materials, energy, and labor. Improvement in production, reliability, availability and quality . Operation and performance improvement with the use of bench marking and best practice sharing Capable of interacting with Project Managers (Mill or Corporate), suppliers and Regional Engineering Consultants to guide major capital investments. Capable of providing preliminary engineering calculations as needed (Basic Engineering) to frame up the key project process scope with input from Manufacturing SME’s and Suppliers. Installation support of major capital projects as required Establishment of best practices and area related policy Monthly and impromptu calls/communications Best Practices replication Monthly communications/status updates on issues, progress and action plans Contributing to incident communication through alerts and advisories, participating in policy review and development The position is physically and personally demanding, requiring travel of 40-60%. Short-term, high priority projects may require intermittently high work hours.

Requirements

At least 15 years of experience in operations and service within the area of expertise
Capable of supporting extensive domestic and international travel requirements
Provide process technical support on a business priority basis
At least a bachelor’s engineering degree
Experience in the pulp manufacturing system from chip bins, digesters, brown stock washing, O2 delignification, and bleaching
General knowledge of refining, screening and caustic plant/kiln operations
Understanding of how the liquor cycle interacts with the fiberline

Nice To Haves

The SME is functional across a range of environments, and generally fits into team settings, but may not emerge as the clear leader in all situations.
Global exposure and ability to work in several countries is evident.
The SME is able to delegate and work through others much of the time and particularly at the facility level, forming relationships that create trust and results.
The SME is becoming more strategic, but is often more tactical in attacking a problem.
The SME is able to support numerous projects and can lead a project at a limited level within a facility, but is generally not leading enterprise or business-wide projects.

Responsibilities

Practicing safety leadership
Troubleshooting
Deliberate improvement projects
Capital projects
Equipment and process studies and audits
Transfer knowledge and skills to mill personnel to build on-site capability
Engage and influence employees from all levels of the organization
Manage change and projects of any size
Lead and clearly communicate complicated analysis to wide audiences
Influence the organization’s strategic direction
Shape trends in field at the leading edge of propagating these developments
Contribute to improving safety results
Provide technical knowledge of the area as it relates to proper operations
Lead cost savings improvement teams
Evaluate operational data
Identify cost reduction projects
Conduct Due Diligence reviews
Evaluate facility productivity/capacity expansion
Develop business case justification through high-level capital and cost savings estimates
Develop and review major scope items
Develop FEL 1 & FEL 2 capital cost estimates
Involve in new process development for fiber lines
Lead general facility assessments
Provide support/consultation to other technology teams
Balance discipline around engineering hypothesis validation with experienced judgment
Collaborate effectively with other team members
Communicate effectively with internal customers
Influence profitability impact annually
Improve operation and performance using benchmarking and best practice sharing
Interact with Project Managers, suppliers and Regional Engineering Consultants to guide major capital investments
Provide preliminary engineering calculations
Provide installation support of major capital projects
Establish best practices and area related policy
Replicate best practices
Provide monthly communications/status updates on issues, progress and action plans
Contribute to incident communication through alerts and advisories
Participate in policy review and development