Board Solutions Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Liner & Medium Papermaking

International Paper

$125K — $167K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum 15 years of paper machine process experience, with at least 5 years in manufacturing.
  • Recognized expert in the papermaking process with mentoring capability.
  • Proven ability to independently manage complex technical projects.
  • Demonstrated leadership focused on accountability and results.
  • Strong analytical troubleshooting skills using data-driven approaches.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Paper Science, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Lead safety initiatives in mill and office environments.
  • Diagnose and resolve significant papermaking process issues.
  • Serve as a technical resource for troubleshooting and solutions across paper machines.
  • Execute trials on pilot and paper machines to enhance performance.
  • Develop and implement both capital and process improvement projects.
  • Conduct technical audits and strategic studies for paper production processes.
  • Mentor mill personnel and build technical capabilities for project development.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health plans including Medical and Dental coverage.
  • Life insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts offered.
  • Short-term and Long-term Disability plans available.
  • 401(k) plan with company-funded retirement contributions.
  • Generous Paid Time Off and Education & Development benefits.
  • Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment Assistance offered.
  • Access to voluntary insurance for home, auto, vision, and pets.
Full Job Description
Job Description

(Salaried Job Posting Template

Position Title:

Board Solutions Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Liner & Medium Papermaking

Pay Rate:

PL17

$125,900 - $167,800

(PL varies by experience)

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Category/Shift:

Salaried Full-Time

Location:

Remote - Ability to travel up to ~80%

The Job You Will Perform:

The Board Solutions Group works closely with Packaging Solutions of North America (PSNA) to support tactical and strategic initiatives to improve results and drive business strategy to achieve or exceed their targeted performance levels. This involves the use of expertise and leadership gained through years of experience to deliver improvement within the manufacturing system. Board Solutions SME's work together within all of the PSNA facilities to improve paper machine performance, reduce variability, improve quality and lower manufacturing costs.

The Subject Matter Expert (SME) position is accountable for delivering results on a wide range of assignments, short and long-term, across our mill system. The SME must work well with varied teams and be able to quickly engage employees from all levels of the organization from executive to the shop floor, and influence vendors and contractors.

The Subject Matter Expert position functions as an internal consultant, and is expected to lead the development of projects and produce improvement in the area of expertise anywhere in the company. The duties range widely between safety leadership, troubleshooting, optimization, teaching, deliberate improvement projects, capital projects, process audits, strategic studies, and mentoring.

SME key attributes include:
  • Operates with minimal supervision, independently prioritizing work aligned to business and enterprise needs
  • Leads complex, multi-mill technical initiatives delivering measurable improvements in safety, reliability, quality, cost, and capability
  • Influences outcomes across organizational boundaries, including mill leadership, vendors, and contractors
  • Balances strategic thinking with hands-on technical execution


Key responsibilities include:
  • Safety leadership in mill, pilot, laboratory, and office environments
  • Diagnosing and resolving high-impact papermaking process issues
  • Recognized resource for technical troubleshooting, non-capital, and capital solutions for paper machines including stock preparation, chemistry, machine approach, forming, pressing, drying, and quality.
  • Executing pilot and paper machine trials
  • Developing and implementing capital and process improvement projects
  • Conducting process audits and strategic technical studies
  • Building durable on-site technical capability through the ability to interface, technically develop, and mentor others at mill sites to assist in project development within the area of expertise
  • Communicating technical findings to all organizational levels
  • Ability to drive results and self-manage priorities on multiple simultaneous projects
  • Sharing and proliferation of knowledge and Best Practices through teams and e-forums.


The Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge You Will Bring:
  • Minimum 15 years of paper machine process experience with at least 5 years in paper manufacturing
    • Ability to travel up to ~80%
    • Recognized expert in papermaking process and ability to mentor mill personnel
    • Ability to independently scope and deliver complex technical work
    • Demonstrated leadership focused on accountability and results
    • Enterprise-level influence and credibility with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate to groups and individuals at all levels
    • Strong analytical troubleshooting skills and the ability to use organized data based approaches to resolve issues
    • Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering, Paper Science, or Related Business Field is preferred, industry experience will be considered


The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets.

The Career You Will Build:

As a Technology SME, you will operate as a senior technical contributor within International Paper's Technology Career Ladder, delivering enterprise-level impact through independent execution and influence.

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