Paper Machine Superintendent
About The Position
The Paper Machine Superintendent is responsible for paper machine safety and environmental performance, product quality, costs, equipment efficiency, and productivity. The role directs systems designed to optimize overall paper machine performance and oversees an Operations Maintenance Coordinator, process engineering support, the operator training program, and union hourly employees assigned to the paper machine. The superintendent leads safety engagement, productivity and continuous-improvement initiatives, outage and Lock Out/Tag Out planning and execution, capital improvements, cost reductions, and paper machine quality control. The role also works with planning on machine schedules and grade structure, collaborates with vendors to improve reliability, and develops employees’ skills and knowledge. It includes periodic weekend duty and responding to machine issues after hours, on weekends, and holidays as required. The position manages paper machine engineering support team members, the Operations Maintenance Coordinator, paper machine crews, and contract employees performing floor-level activities. Supervisory duties include employee training, assigning and directing work, performance management, mentoring, disciplinary actions, and helping resolve complaints. The role reports directly to the Paper Mill Manager, supports cross-functional project teams as assigned, and manages operations within allocated performance and budget metrics. Work is performed in an office and throughout paper mill operational areas, where environmental noise, hazards, and severe climate changes may be encountered. Proper personal protective equipment is required according to location and hazards.
Requirements
- A BS degree in Engineering or equivalent Paper Machine Supervisory experience.
- Strong troubleshooting and decision-making skills.
- Strong organizational skills and aptitude for analytical tools to provide direction to the Process Engineer.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills.
- Computer skills or the ability to develop proficiency is mandatory.
- Regular keyboarding, sitting, standing, and walking, with occasional lifting of 25 pounds or more.
- Use required personal protective equipment depending on location and potential hazards, including safety shoes, safety vest, hard hat, gloves, hearing protection, safety glasses, and respiratory protection.
Nice To Haves
- 10 or more years of machine-level supervisory experience is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Develop a floor-level safety culture, support paper mill safety efforts, and promote safety engagement among operating team members.
- Lead paper machine performance initiatives involving productivity, uptime, quality rejects, and other improvement projects.
- Ensure performance machine rounds are completed and operator logs are reviewed multiple times per day.
- Prepare and plan outages and Lock Out/Tag Out activities, and lead their execution strategy.
- Lead implementation of a continuous-improvement culture at the floor level.
- Lead the RI process and ensure actionable items are completed on time.
- Identify paper machine capital needs, develop projects, and lead operations through the capital process.
- Monitor costs, establish cost-reduction priorities, and implement cost-reduction processes.
- Provide quality-control oversight for the paper machine.
- Work with planning on machine schedules and grade structure.
- Work with vendors to optimize machine performance and achieve target reliability.
- Develop employees’ knowledge and skills to improve machine performance.
- Provide periodic weekend duty coverage as the Paper Mill Representative and respond to machine issues after hours, on weekends, and holidays as required.
- Support the Paper Mill Manager and assigned machine core team, including attending Core Team Meetings.
- Develop a positive, proactive, enthused, and energized workforce.
- Coach other paper machine superintendents and support them when issues arise.
- Manage paper machine engineering support team members, the Operations Maintenance Coordinator, paper machine crews, and contract employees performing floor-level work.
- Train employees; plan, assign, and direct crew-level work; manage performance and discipline; mentor employees; and communicate complaints to the Paper Mill Manager to assist with problem resolution.
- Ensure crew work assignments and compliance with organizational policies and applicable laws, and oversee individual salaried performance or issues.
- Assist cross-functional project teams as assigned by the Paper Machine Manager.
- Manage operations within allocated performance metrics and floor-level budget metrics.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Paper Mill Manager.
Benefits
- Short-term incentive plan bonus.
- Health insurance.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.
- Retirement savings plans, including a matching 401(k).
- Life and disability insurance programs.
- Paid sick leave as required by applicable state or local law.
- 15 days of paid vacation.
- 11 days of paid holidays.
- Comprehensive training and learning and development opportunities.
- Relocation support.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
