Paper Machine Superintendent
About the Opportunity
We are seeking a Paper Machine Superintendent to join a leading paper manufacturing organization in the Northeast Indiana area. This role is responsible for overseeing paper machine operations while driving improvements across safety, production, quality, machine efficiency, reliability, and cost performance. The ideal candidate is a hands-on paper manufacturing leader with strong technical knowledge of paper machine operations, proven troubleshooting capabilities, and the ability to effectively lead and develop teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee day-to-day paper machine operations to achieve production, safety, quality, efficiency, and cost objectives
- Provide hands-on technical leadership in troubleshooting paper machine runnability, productivity, quality, equipment, and process issues
- Drive improvements in machine efficiency, uptime, throughput, waste reduction, quality, and overall operational performance
- Partner closely with Maintenance, Reliability, Engineering, and Mill leadership to plan resources and minimize planned and unplanned downtime
- Support daily maintenance activities, scheduled outages, capital projects, and equipment reliability initiatives
- Analyze operating data, equipment performance, and production trends to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions
- Lead, coach, and develop production employees through effective communication, training, performance management, and technical development
- Develop production schedules, crew assignments, and training plans to ensure appropriate staffing and continued employee development
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on machine performance, process optimization, reliability, safety, and operational excellence
- Promote a strong safety culture while ensuring compliance with environmental, regulatory, and company requirements
- Effectively lead within a unionized manufacturing environment and ensure compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and EHS teams to achieve overall mill objectives
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience within paper manufacturing, paper mill operations, or a closely related pulp and paper environment
- Strong hands-on knowledge of paper machine operations and the ability to troubleshoot process, equipment, productivity, runnability, and quality issues
- Previous supervisory, management, or demonstrated leadership experience within a manufacturing environment
- Experience leading operators, hourly employees, production crews, or other manufacturing personnel
- Strong understanding of paper manufacturing processes, equipment, maintenance requirements, and operational performance metrics
- Experience driving continuous improvement, root cause analysis, downtime reduction, process optimization, and machine efficiency initiatives
- Experience partnering with Maintenance and Reliability teams on equipment issues, outages, shutdowns, preventive maintenance, and capital projects
- Experience working within a unionized manufacturing environment strongly preferred
- Experience with computerized maintenance management systems such as Maximo or similar CMMS platforms preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred, but not required; equivalent hands-on paper manufacturing experience will be considered
- Strong mechanical aptitude with excellent analytical, troubleshooting, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
- Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build credibility across both hourly and salaried teams
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This is an excellent opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership role with meaningful ownership over paper machine performance, production, reliability, safety, and team development. The position offers a primarily Monday-Friday schedule, a competitive base salary of approximately $130,000-$140,000 plus a 20% bonus, and relocation assistance depending on the candidate's circumstances.
FAQs
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