Manufacturing Excellence Engineer

Position Title: 

Manufacturing Excellence Engineer

Pay Rate:

$106,700-$130,500

Category/Shift:

Salary Full Time (exempt)

Physical Location:

2449 Stagecoach Rd

Oglethorpe, GA 31068

The Job You Will Perform:

This position reports to the Manufacturing Excellence (ME) Area Lead. The incumbent will serve as a member of the ME and operations team responsible for delivering year-over-year cost reduction and process improvement.

• Demonstrate leadership in the area of safety; broad based participation in the mill’s safety process and initiatives
• Support the achievement of the GMS Cost reduction elements in your area of responsibility
  • Cost reduction identification process
  • Strategy deployment
  • R gap (Realizable Gap) process and closing identified gaps
  • 5S deployment
  • Training and certifying White Belt candidates
• Maintain knowledge of current best practices for assigned areas and develop and champion process improvement/cost reduction projects
• Facilitate manufacturing process improvements
• Learn and expand practical knowledge of the ME toolbox (facilitation, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Advance Analytics)
  • Use these skills to resolve mill issues and capitalize on opportunities, design and implement trials for various product and/or process changes, commission, install and start up new equipment
• Provide support for project management and/or outage management during annual outages
• Coach and mentor department interns and co-ops
• Plan elective learning opportunities based on current assignments and developmental needs
• Commit to our team-based organization which values employee participation and teamwork

Quality Expectations

• Ensure an understanding of quality policy and support efforts for a positive customer experience.
• Aid in the execution of mill-wide quality efforts as needed to help maintain mill quality standards.

The Skills You Will Bring:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Pulp & Paper engineering or related field highly preferred
• Desire to work in a manufacturing setting
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication, problem solving, time management, conflict resolution, and task group facilitation skills
• Ability to excel with minimal supervision in a team environment
• Willingness to work extended hours as needed
• Strong computer knowledge and skills that include experience with spreadsheets, word processing, Minitab, Parcview, PI Vision, and Power BI
• Competencies:
  • Action oriented
  • Team oriented
  • Learning on the fly
  • Drive for results
  • Priority setting
  • Problem solving
  • Interpersonal savvy
  • Customer focus
  • Technical/functional skills
  • Communication skills 

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.  On-site fitness center.

The Career You Will Build:

• Leadership training
• Promotional opportunities

The Impact You Will Make:

We continue to build a better future for people, the plant, 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

About Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF):

Our GCF business helps customers transform renewable cellulose fibers into essential everyday products. Our high-quality, superior grade pulps form the basis for diverse applications, ranging from personal care items to specialty materials. We create components for diapers, tissues and feminine care products, as well as sustainable materials for the textile and construction industry. In 2024, IP announced a strategic review of options for the GCF business in keeping with its strategy of focusing on sustainable packaging solutions, which will allow GCF to fully unlock its capabilities to deliver enhanced service and product performance to its customers.

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.

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