Position SummaryReporting to the Paper Mill Operations Manager, the Production Manager, Paper Mill is responsible for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of the R9 paper machine and associated production processes from stock preparation through slitting. This position provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for manufacturing operations to ensure the achievement of safety, quality, productivity, environmental, customer service, and financial objectives.
The Production Manager leads a team of shift managers, engineers, and hourly production employees in a unionized manufacturing environment. The role is responsible for driving operational excellence through continuous improvement initiatives, employee development, capital planning, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration. The Production Manager serves as a key leader in fostering a culture of safety, accountability, engagement, and high performance.
Essential Functions & Primary ResponsibilitiesSafety, Environmental & Regulatory Leadership- Champion and model a safety-first culture throughout all areas of responsibility.
- Ensure compliance with all OSHA, environmental, quality, food safety, hygiene, and company requirements.
- Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, corrective action implementation, and risk reduction initiatives.
- Drive continuous improvement in safety performance metrics and employee safety engagement.
- Ensure adherence to all manufacturing, operating, and hygiene procedures required for specific product grades and customer requirements.
Production & Operations Management- Lead all aspects of R9 production operations from stock preparation through slitting.
- Establish and execute operating plans that support production goals, customer commitments, and business objectives.
- Monitor production performance and key operating indicators, including:
- Safety performance
- Product quality
- Production efficiency
- Machine uptime
- Yield and waste reduction
- Cost performance
- Customer satisfaction
- Analyze operational data to identify opportunities for improving productivity, quality, reliability, and cost performance.
- Coordinate production activities to maximize machine availability and asset utilization while maintaining product quality standards.
- Ensure effective shift-to-shift communication and operational consistency.
Continuous Improvement & Process Excellence- Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, and other operational excellence methodologies.
- Assess process effectiveness and identify opportunities to improve equipment performance, product quality, operational efficiency, and cost control.
- Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving teams to address recurring operational challenges.
- Establish measurable improvement objectives and track progress toward operational targets.
- Support implementation of best practices and standard operating procedures throughout the department.
Leadership & Talent Development- Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and development for:
- Shift Managers
- Production Engineers
- Process Engineers
- Paper Machine Crews
- Build and maintain a highly engaged and accountable workforce.
- Conduct performance reviews and establish development plans for direct reports.
- Identify succession planning needs and develop internal talent pipelines.
- Promote collaboration, teamwork, employee engagement, and effective communication throughout the organization.
- Address employee relations matters in accordance with company policies and collective bargaining agreements.
Union Relations- Develop and maintain positive working relationships within a unionized workforce.
- Administer applicable labor agreement provisions in a consistent and equitable manner.
- Partner with Human Resources and labor representatives on workforce issues, contract interpretation, and employee concerns.
- Promote a respectful workplace focused on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Financial & Capital Management- Develop and manage departmental operating budgets.
- Monitor and control labor, material, utility, maintenance, and production costs.
- Develop capital expenditure plans that support both short-term operational needs and long-term strategic objectives.
- Prepare business cases, project justifications, and return-on-investment analyses for capital requests.
- Ensure capital projects are executed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
Customer & Business Support- Provide technical manufacturing support to key customers as needed.
- Collaborate with Sales, Customer Service, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams to ensure customer expectations are met.
- Support new product development, process trials, and product quality improvement initiatives.
- Ensure customer complaints and quality concerns are investigated and resolved promptly.
Strategic Leadership- Translate organizational goals into actionable production plans.
- Participate in site leadership activities, strategic planning, and operational reviews.
- Drive sustainable improvements that enhance competitiveness, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
- Serve as a visible leader who promotes company values and operational excellence.
Additional Responsibilities- Participate in weekend duty rotation and provide on-call leadership support as required.
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned by management.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Paper Science, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related technical discipline; equivalent paper industry operations experience may be considered.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in paper manufacturing, process manufacturing, or a related industry.
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing production processes, operational performance, and employee development.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing systems, process control, operational KPIs, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn ERP and process-monitoring systems.
Preferred Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Paper Science or Engineering.
- Experience managing paper machine operations.
- Experience in a unionized manufacturing environment.
- Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other operational excellence training/certification.
- Experience developing and managing capital improvement projects.
- Prior responsibility for budget management and financial performance.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities- Strong leadership and people development skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams.
- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Effective conflict resolution and change management skills.
- Ability to interpret operational and financial data to support business decisions.
- Strong customer focus and commitment to quality excellence.
- Ability to influence, motivate, and drive accountability at all organizational levels.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements- Regular attendance is required.
- Ability to work additional hours, weekends, holidays, and respond to operational issues outside normal business hours when necessary.
- Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, climb stairs, and navigate industrial environments for extended periods.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Exposure to varying temperatures, humidity levels, noise, dust, and manufacturing conditions.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer systems.
