RoleThe Paper & Converting Director reports to the Sr. Director of Mill Operations and is responsible for the overall operating performance of the Spring Grove Paper, Coating, and Converting Departments. This position provides leadership and direction across all aspects of manufacturing, including Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S), reliability, quality, productivity, cost, yield, compliance, and capital and maintenance investment.
The Director is responsible for driving operational excellence, developing organizational capability, and ensuring resources and priorities are aligned with the facility's business objectives.
Responsibilities- Provide leadership and direction to drive first-quartile safety performance, with a demonstrated track record of improving safety results.
- Develop and execute profit-driven operating plans that leverage manufacturing capabilities, maximize value, and deliver budgeted production, cost, and quality objectives.
- Develop, build, and maintain strong partnerships with key support functions, including EH&S, Human Resources, Finance, Commercial, Maintenance, and Engineering, to ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, human resources, and other company policies and procedures.
- Align operational plans, priorities, and resource deployment with overall business objectives.
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing systems that support an efficient and effective papermaking organization.
- Provide technical expertise and leadership in resolving equipment, material, maintenance, reliability, and operating challenges.
- Lead initiatives to teach, engage, and educate employees on proper paper manufacturing processes, operating practices, and performance expectations.
- Develop, recommend, and coach operational leaders in the preparation and management of budgets, material usage standards, maintenance priorities, long-range plans, and capital expenditures.
- Provide leadership for major capital projects, including evaluations, installations, and rebuilds. Partner with vendors, suppliers, internal stakeholders, and employees to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and within established scope.
- Develop and coach operational leaders to strengthen organizational capability, accountability, and overall manufacturing performance.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, reliability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Basic Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field required; Pulp & Paper, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering strongly preferred.
- Ten (10) or more years of experience in a paper manufacturing environment with progressively responsible operational leadership experience.
- Five (5) or more years of leadership experience in a heavy manufacturing environment, such as Production Manager, Operations Manager, Plant Superintendent, or a comparable role.
- Experience working in a unionized manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience with systematic continuous improvement methodologies and processes.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster positive and productive labor relations in a union environment.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to effectively manage competing priorities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience with Operational Excellence systems, including quality systems, centerlining, basic care, training systems, reliability systems, Manufacturing Work Systems (MWS), and other industry-standard operating systems.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities- Ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives effectively while providing clear direction, guidance, and leadership to direct reports and project teams.
- Strong customer-first mindset with an understanding of how manufacturing performance impacts customer expectations and business results.
- Ability to think both strategically and tactically and translate business objectives into operational priorities and actions.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to achieve results through others by coaching, training, developing, and holding facility leadership and operations teams accountable.
- Innovative and proactive approach with a strong sense of urgency, discipline, accountability, and sound judgment.
- Strong critical thinking, economic decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing cost structures, key cost drivers, and their impact on operational and financial performance.
