Area Process Manager, Pulp

International Paper (NYSE:IP) is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products.  We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness.  Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn. We employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally.  We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe.  Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion.  Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com. 

The Riverdale Mill is currently seeking an Area Process Manager for the Pulp department. 

Position Scope:

Riverdale Mill, located in Selma AL, is a complex, fully integrated pulp and paper manufacturing facility with two machines, one producing Brite Top liner and one producing uncoated free sheet.  In addition to the machines, the mill includes multiple process lines, including wood handling, pulping, power and recovery, sheeting operations and effluent treatment.  The Pulp Area Process Manager is the leader of an operations area within the Pulp Department.   The Pulp Mill is comprised of a long log woodyard, purchased chip receiving, digesting, washing and bleaching, kiln/causticizing process, ClO2 production, and an OCC plant.  This position is responsible for safety, quality, environmental compliance, employee engagement, hourly team development, process productivity, efficiency, reliability, and area financial performance, while at the same time using a systems based approach to build long-term stability and reliability.  Responsibilities will also include the direction of technical resources and process experts who support the area. This position reports to the Business Unit Manager, Pulp.

Position Responsibilities:

The Pulp Area Process Manager will be heavily involved in a broad spectrum of areas including operations, maintenance, technical, and people. 

• Provide visible and active leadership in delivering excellent safety results
• Develop tools and systems to maintain compliance with all applicable environmental permitting and ensure all environmental compliance systems are reliable and accurate (NCG, air, water, etc.)
• Deliver the highest quality finished product to our customers
• Participate and lead within the structure of the mill’s quality management system (QMS) and support the Quality Manager in investigating issues and resolving problems as they apply to the manufacturing process
• Support training processes in alignment with GMTI to ensure a pool of highly skilled team members
• Build effective systems and materials such as operating procedures (SOP), troubleshooting documents (TCC), and other training materials
• Support engagement processes to ensure the crews have ownership and feel valued within the organization
• Coordinate within the Pulp department and other business units to optimize area production to meet the needs of the department and the mill, including process balances as needed (e.g. upset conditions and outages)
• Complete technical process evaluations and improvements
• Seek out and implement best practices using teams, databases, vendors, and other technical resources
• Support the manufacturing work systems (MWS) process to prioritize and plan daily work, routine outages, and annual outages including operational, maintenance, and contractor tasks
• Coordinate outage and other routine work as needed, which may include review of bid proposals and planned spending to ensure maximum value is achieved
• Serve as a contractor coordinator (owner’s rep) as required
• Support improvements in a healthy and highly functioning basic care process
• Lead ongoing improvement efforts in reliability pacesetter elements
• Participate in the 5S program for the area, including leading 5S improvement projects as needed
• Participate in cost reduction program idea generation and implementation process
• Provide support for capital project development and implementation
• Implement systems to improve/sustain results, including PI processbook pages, excel spreadsheet tools, Proficy based centerlining systems, etc.
• Participate in accountability follow-ups with employees as needed and when appropriate.
• Manage area costs and meet budget.
• Provide support for budgeting cycle targeted at delivering year over year savings
• Fulfill weekend duty team leadership role for the Pulp department
• Lead and sustain continual improvement in the Manufacturing Excellence culture within the department

Desired Skills:

Successful candidate should have the ability to:

• Instill safety as a core value within the team and effectively communicate a shared vision for safety
• Quickly develop thorough knowledge of mill equipment and systems
• Utilize excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to groups and individuals at all levels
• Approach positional responsibilities in an inclusive manner by engaging all team members in area, department, and mill
• Possess Manufacturing Excellence (ME) certification of white or green belt
• Utilize strong organizational skills to handle multiple tasks effectively

Required Experience:

ChE, ME, EE, Paper Science degree or other equivalent experience required.  Minimum of 5 years’ experience in pulp and paper manufacturing, with 2 years in pulp manufacturing preferred.  Candidate should have experience managing both people and processes, with experience managing hourly team members a plus.

Pay Level (15).  PL may vary based on experience.

Desired Competencies:

Customer Focus, Organizing, Planning, Priority Setting, Process Management, Managing Through Systems, TQM/Reengineering, Confronting Direct Reports and Others, Developing Direct Reports and Others, Directing Others, Integrity and Trust, Listening, Motivating Others, Drive for Results, Sizing up People, Building Effective Teams, Understanding Others, Action Oriented, Business Acumen, Command Skills, Conflict Management, Timely Decision Making, Decision Quality, Learning on the Fly, Managerial Courage, Managing and Measuring Work, Problem Solving, Standing Alone.

"International Paper is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities/Females/Individuals with Disabilities/Veterans"