Technical Manager - Papermaking (USA)
About The Position
This role is for a Technical Manager in Papermaking at Irving Consumer Products, a leading manufacturer of premium quality tissue products. The company is part of J.D. Irving, Limited, which operates in Eastern Canada and the USA with a team of 20,000 dedicated employees. JDI is committed to sustainability, having planted over 1 billion trees since 1957 and achieving carbon neutrality for its forest supply chain since 2020. Irving Consumer Products produces national brands like Royale® and Scotties®, as well as private label tissue, diapers, and training pants. The company emphasizes a culture that nurtures talent, creates an inclusive workplace, and encourages growth across its various operating divisions. They are committed to creating accessible environments and encourage applications even if not all requirements are met.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field (Chemical or Pulp & Paper preferred), or equivalent experience
- 10–15 years of tissue/towel papermaking experience, including TAD technology, process optimization, and trial/experimental design
- Experience in R&D, Product Development, and/or Quality
- Strong knowledge of papermaking processes; pulp mill process knowledge is an asset
- Proficiency in experimental design, statistics, data analysis, visualization, and root cause problem solving
- Project management experience, including A3 and Gantt chart methodologies
- Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, and communication skills across all organizational levels
Responsibilities
- Own the basesheet development initiatives that are part of the 3‑year papermaking product development roadmap for assigned categories
- Own trial design, success criteria, and recommendation
- Author trial charters and experimental plans with success criteria; execute validation runs and oversee sample/test plans
- Convert consumer and lab results into clear go/no‑go recommendations for product development reviews with Product Management/Quality/Marketing/Executive Leadership
- Define Specifications & Critical to Quality parameters
- Execute & support Sales/Marketing product innovation initiatives
- Drive changes and develop processes to enhance products / margin
- Lead external trials and evaluations with suppliers and labs (chemistry, fabrics, papermaking, converting, analytical testing)
- Ensure NDA and data‑handling compliance with vendors
- Investigate and implement new technologies
- Influence changes, ideas, and developments
- Regularly benchmark vs. competitive/National brands to understand positioning and areas for improvement
- Provide multi‑site technical support for quality and runnability
- Provide technical support to customers / quality systems
- Provide support for significant operational and quality issues directly at the sites
- Ability to analyze and interpret data to drive to root cause of technical issues
- Mentor junior engineers
- Engage and influence all levels of the company
- Lead technical seminars for our operational/process staff
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision insurance effective the 1st of the month following start date
- 401K 100% match at 5% 1st of the month following start date
- Health & Wellness reimbursements
- Employee Family Assistant Programs
- Product purchase program
- Opportunities to take part in job-related training and development
- Growth and progression opportunities within the larger J. D. Irving group of companies
- Relocation cost (if applicable)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
