Bleach Plant Area Process Manager

Pay Rate:
$121,100 - $148,100
PL: 14
Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills, and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range. Variable pay may provide additional opportunities for financial awards. This job is eligible to participate in IP’s annual incentive plan.

Category/Shift:

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location:

Columbus Cellulose Fibers

IP - Columbus Mill

4335 Carson Road

Columbus, MS 39701

This position supports International Paper’s Columbus Mill (CCF) located in Columbus, Mississippi.  CCF is a vital part of International Paper’s Global Cellulose Fibers Business.  We are a converting operation that produces specialty fibers used in the production of diapers and other absorbent personal care products.

The Job You Will Perform:

The Bleach Plant Area Process Manager (APM) is a leadership position in the Columbus Mill’s Fiberline department and reports directly to the Fiberline Business Unit Manager. The Area Manager’s role is to provide leadership to the fiberline team and operating shift crews to achieve the mill and department objectives, and facilitate sound business decisions. This position is responsible for providing leadership and troubleshooting for the safe operation of the bleach plant.  This position will also have on-call responsibilities to manage a two vessel Kamyr Digester, Brownstock, O2 Delignification, Chem Prep, and Tall Oil. The Bleach Plant Area Manager is accountable for establishing short and long-term expectations and budgets, and facilitating operating and improvement plans designed at meeting and exceeding the department’s safety, environmental, team member engagement, productivity, quality, and cost goals. This position is responsible for providing leadership to approximately 35 fiberline team members and ensuring that all team members are treated with respect and dignity.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Accountabilities: The Bleach Plant Area Process Manager is responsible for:

Safety

• Lead Columbus Mill to an injury-free work environment through leadership by example and modeling safe behavior and ensuring their team works safely in an industrial environment.
• Lead the safety processes for the Fiberline area including safety work systems, safety observations and interventions, operator safety and environmental training.
• Personal attention to and direct involvement in maintaining a clean and orderly work environment.
• Deliver clear expectations to team members around safety and environmental compliance
• Improvements in the housekeeping standards through the 5S process.

Process Management

• Ensure reliable operation of equipment by utilizing all available resources and methods including: continuous and deliberate improvement, Manufacturing Work Systems (MWS), Global Manufacturing Training Initiative (GMTI) and Growth & Progression System (GPS) training systems, adherence to established procedures, root cause failure analysis (RCFA) and action item implementation, precision maintenance practices, vibration and lubrication analyses, and preventive maintenance.
• Lead production and maintenance technicians to achieve performance and efficiency targets through a reliability culture where a clear partnership exits between Engineering, Production, and Maintenance.
• Develop, maintain and use reliable methods for all processes and their improvements.
• Assist with prioritization of daily and scheduled shutdown maintenance using strong planning and scheduling skills.

People Development

• Responsible for gaining commitment and motivating employees toward a common goal in a non-union environment
• Understands and utilizes the principles necessary to achieve and maintain a high performance organization
• Develop and maintain positive team relationships through commitment to improving team member engagement and teamwork.
• Hold meaningful 1-1 discussions with members of the team; set clear expectations for both team and individuals.
• Use GPS / GMTI principles to ensure a highly trained workforce knowledgeable of the process and equipment; ensure that training systems are in place and utilize to develop the workforce
• Demonstrate leadership in engagement by partnering with the crews to develop an action-based engagement plan and ensure a highly motivated workforce

The Skills You Will Bring:

It is required that the Bleach Plant Area Manager role be filled by an individual with a strong pulp or paper manufacturing background, with a minimum of 4 years of experience.

• Manufacturing management experience (First Line Leader/Process Resource or Operations Maintenance Coordinator) is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated record of safety and environmental commitment and results and detailed knowledge of industrial safety and environmental procedures and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of bleach plant, Brownstock, or digester equipment is preferred.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate to groups and individuals at all levels.
• Strong Computer skills including proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications
• Strong leadership skills focused on accountability and results.
• Desire to work with maintenance as a team.
• Strong commitment to reliability and to the use of Manufacturing Excellence tools / work systems to ensure sustainability of progress.

Desired Competencies:

Action Oriented, Building Effective teams, Confronting Direct Reports, Developing Direct Reports, Integrity and Trust, Managing through Systems, Managerial Courage, Motivating and Directing Others, and Problem Solving, Priority Setting, and Informing.

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 Disability, 401(k) and/or Pension (where applicable), Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement),  and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets. 

The Career You Will Build:

Leadership training, promotional opportunities

The Impact You Will Make:

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 120 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.

The Culture You Will Experience:

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join:

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.  With Company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries.  Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time.  Net sales for 2024 were 18.6 billion.  In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions.  Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.