Paper Machine Superintendent

Overview

Lewiston is Clearwater Paper’s original manufacturing facility and home to nearly 700 dedicated team members who power our site. We produce paperboard used in products across the United States, including food packaging, plates, cups and more. The site currently operates two paper machines, two extruders, two power boilers and two recovery boilers. Located where the Snake and Clearwater rivers meet on the Idaho-Washington border, Lewiston offers access to outdoor activities and is close to several colleges and strong local K–12 school districts.

The Paper Machine Superintendent reports to the Operations Manager and is responsible for ensuring the paperboard manufacturing department operates safely, producing a reliable and environmentally sustainable low-cost supply of paperboard that meets/exceeds customer specifications and expectations. The successful candidate will also act as a technical resource for the operations team and lead project and process improvement efforts in the paper mill.

This role may have oversight of up to twelve (12) direct reports and oversee a department of approximately 100 employees. This role is primarily focused on the day-to-day and long-term technical decision-making, maintaining multimillion-dollar capital assets to deliver quality products. This position may backfill for the operations manager role as needed to ensure leadership coverage in the department. The ideal candidate will be technically oriented, and in line for advancement, at all levels.

• Tracks safety performance, managing safety programs that include annual training, scheduled safety meetings, safe job performance by employees, dealing with job performance issues as they arise
• Assesses resources of safety SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and Guidelines
• Reviews all safety incidents in the department and participates in developing cause maps
• Tours the department for safety observations and employee contacts while verifying regulatory compliance
• Guides and develops supervisors to effectively manage crews on safe work practices
• Ensures compliance with all environmental OSHA, labor, and government regulation
• Supports the behavioral safety program and ensures that safe work practices are followed

• Promotes an environment where the team achieves zero incidents in Environmental, Health, and Safety
• Establishes strategic direction of paperboard producing machine(s), with understanding of current state, desired future state, and plans to close gaps
• Drives excellence by supporting and challenging the team to achieve results
• Provides strategic leadership and coaching through a shared vision for the operation
• Implements continuous improvement strategies that yield sustainable results
• Develops and controls operating budget and expenses for the department
• Recommends and implements equipment improvements, new systems, and process changes to improve productivity and efficiency for all capital projects
• Mentors direct reports to ensure bench strength and leadership skills
• Works closely with the engineering team, business unit leaders, and shift supervisors to optimize production
• Empowers crews to make good business decisions

• Sets direction, identifies priorities, coordinates the activities of other departments as it relates to the area performance, and manages the operating budget for the area
• Ensures adequate raw material supplies are maintained for continued production
• Certifies production meets specifications
• Works with Quality/Technical staff to resolve quality issues
• Reviews operations training manuals for updates completion

• Leads crews to improve processes by identifying and eliminating non-value-added activities (waste)
• Uses strong problem-solving skills to ensure corrective actions for employee and/or production issues are defined and established
• Communicates to all levels of the organization as needed and coordinates with Department Managers from other areas of the mill
• Prepares and distributes information regarding changes to policies and procedures (as a result of kaizens or other CI opportunities) to employees

• Actively seeks and allocates appropriate decision-making authority based on abilities, availability, motivation, and development needs
• Identifies barriers that impact customer service and retention; communicates concerns and recommendations
• Uses understanding of customer needs to set priorities and actions that create customer satisfaction
• Creates relevant options for addressing problems and opportunities to achieve desired outcomes
• Evaluates business opportunities, targeting those with greatest potential for positive results

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Pulp & Paper Science preferred
• Minimum of five years operational paper machine experience
• Operations experience in a leadership or technical role preferred
• Previous leadership, project management, or system coordination…