Mill SuperintendentOx Specialty Paper, LLC - Carthage, NYReports To: General Manager
Salary: $100,000 - $120,000 per year
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-3:30 PM.
On-call availability and periodic weekend duty are requiredBenefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Legal, Company-Paid Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance, 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match, Paid Vacation, Sick/Personal Time Off, and Floating Holidays
Purpose of PositionThe Mill Superintendent is responsible for leading and optimizing the mill's production operations while maintaining a safe work environment, ensuring product quality, and achieving established operational performance goals.
This position provides leadership, direction, and accountability for Production Supervisors and hourly mill employees. The Mill Superintendent is responsible for production staffing, employee performance management, leadership development, and disciplinary decisions within the scope of company policies and established authority.
The Mill Superintendent ensures production objectives are met safely, efficiently, and in accordance with customer specifications, company policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
This individual plays a critical role in supporting Ox Industries' culture, values, and key behaviors. Through strong leadership, collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement, the Mill Superintendent drives improvements in machine efficiency, product quality, productivity, equipment reliability, waste reduction, and overall operating costs.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, practical knowledge of the papermaking process and supporting equipment, and a commitment to developing employees while advancing the mill's operational goals.
How You Will Impact Ox IndustriesSafety, Environmental Compliance, and Employee Development- Promote and maintain a safe working environment by consistently following and enforcing company safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
- Lead safety initiatives and processes that support continuous improvement toward established safety goals.
- Ensure worksite accidents and incidents are thoroughly investigated, corrective actions are implemented, and lessons learned are communicated to prevent recurrence.
- Identify employee development needs and coordinate training to strengthen technical skills, operational knowledge, and safety awareness.
- Establish clear performance expectations and hold Production Supervisors and hourly mill employees accountable for meeting established standards.
- Lead performance management activities, including employee reviews, coaching, corrective action, and disciplinary decisions consistent with company policies and delegated authority.
- Promote leadership development and consistency in supervisory practices across production shifts.
Production, Quality, and Operational Performance- Plan, coordinate, and monitor production activities to achieve established safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency objectives.
- Ensure compliance with standard operating procedures and production requirements.
- Maintain effective quality systems and ensure finished products meet customer specifications.
- Monitor machine performance, identify production constraints, and implement improvements to increase overall machine efficiency.
- Reduce waste, off-specification production, downtime, and other operational losses.
- Partner with the Maintenance Department to improve equipment reliability, minimize downtime, and optimize production performance.
- Analyze production results and operational trends to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, reliability, and product quality.
Key Performance Indicators and Operational Accountability- Own and monitor the mill's established production and operational KPIs, ensuring performance is measured against company goals and communicated to the General Manager.
- Track and evaluate key performance measures, including machine efficiency, production output, product quality, waste, downtime, safety performance, and operating costs, as applicable to established mill targets.
- Identify performance gaps, investigate root causes, and develop and implement corrective action plans to improve results.
- Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures for Production Supervisors and their respective teams.
- Use production data, operational reports, and performance trends to guide decision-making and prioritize improvement initiatives.
- Regularly communicate KPI performance, significant operational concerns, corrective actions, and progress toward established goals to the General Manager.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, and cost control.
Staffing and Workforce Management- Maintain appropriate production staffing levels to support safe, reliable, and efficient mill operations.
- Assess staffing requirements, identify vacancies and workforce gaps, and coordinate recruitment and selection activities with Human Resources.
- Exercise decision-making authority over production staffing and personnel matters within established company policies and delegated authority.
- Provide direct leadership and oversight of Production Supervisors, including hiring recommendations or decisions, performance evaluations, coaching, and disciplinary actions, as authorized.
- Address employee performance and conduct concerns promptly, consistently, and in coordination with Human Resources when appropriate.
- Ensure effective communication, shift coverage, employee development, and continuity of production operations across all shifts.
Cost Management and Continuous Improvement- Develop and maintain methods for tracking, analyzing, and reducing operational costs.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, quality, waste reduction, and cost control.
- Analyze production performance and operational data to identify improvement opportunities and support informed decision-making.
- Develop and execute strategic plans that improve machine performance and support the mill's operational objectives.
- Collaborate with Maintenance and other departments to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize resource utilization.
- Stay informed about industry practices, emerging technologies, and process improvements that may enhance operational performance.
Leadership and Collaboration- Provide direction, coaching, and support to Production Supervisors to strengthen leadership effectiveness and consistency across shifts.
- Foster a culture of teamwork, communication, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Build constructive working relationships with employees, Maintenance, EHS, Human Resources, and other departments to support safe and efficient mill operations.
- Communicate operational priorities, performance expectations, and improvement initiatives effectively across the organization.
- Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, ownership, and a commitment to the values and culture of Ox Industries.
- Maintain availability to address significant operational issues outside normal working hours, including on-call responsibilities and periodic weekend duty.
What You Need to SucceedRequired Qualifications- High school diploma or equivalent
- 6 or more years of supervisory or management experience in a manufacturing environment
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, process controls, and production performance measures
- Demonstrated leadership experience, including employee development, performance management, staffing, and accountability
- Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and experience promoting safe work practices
- Ability to analyze operational challenges, interpret performance data, establish priorities, and implement effective solutions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, planning, decision-making, and time-management skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365
- Ability to meet the position's schedule and on-call requirements
- Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the essential responsibilities of this position will be considered
Preferred Qualifications- Experience in the paper, paperboard, pulp and paper, or a closely related manufacturing industry
- Demonstrated knowledge of the papermaking process, paper machine operations, and supporting equipment
- Undergraduate degree or professional certification in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Pulp and Paper Science, or a related technical field
- Experience supervising employees across rotating shifts, including Southern Swing Shift
- Experience using manufacturing KPIs, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies to improve operational performance
- OSHA 30-hour training in General Industry or Construction
Ready to Take the Next Step?If you're ready to take the next step in your manufacturing leadership career with a company that values safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement, we encourage you to apply today.
