Shift Supervisor

Description


SUMMARY
Rand-Whitney Containerboard, a premier New England paper mill, produces high-quality containerboard through operational excellence, reliability, and a strong commitment to safety.


The Shift Supervisor provides technical front-line leadership for production operations during an assigned shift in a 24/7 manufacturing environment. The Shift Supervisor applies principles of mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering to drive exceptional operational performance through continuous improvement and equipment reliability. This role supervises shift personnel and is responsible for safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant mill operations.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide technical guidance to operators while troubleshooting acute and chronic process issues to maintain manufacturing performance.
2. Analyze process variables, evaluate variation and controls, and lead root cause analysis of equipment and process failures in collaboration with leadership, engineering, and maintenance.
3. Drive manufacturing improvements by optimizing efficiency metrics (rate, yield, uptime, resource use, quality) and implementing new or enhanced production methods.
4. Direct and coordinate all production activities during the assigned shift to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient mill operations.
5. Supervise and lead shift personnel, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
6. Manage crew staffing and work assignments to meet operational demands and production objectives; support employee development by training, coaching, and evaluating employees.
7. Recommend employment actions, including hiring, discipline, promotion, and termination, consistent with company policies.
8. Ensure Operator Basic Care (OBC) rounds are completed and documented and that equipment issues are identified and addressed.
9. Initiate and prioritize maintenance service requests in Maximo and allocate resources to resolve operational or equipment issues.
10. Conduct routine shift meetings and handovers, communicating safety expectations, production priorities, and operational updates.
11. Monitor production performance and maintain accurate shift documentation, including downtime events, speed losses, safety and corrective actions taken.
12. Perform routine mill tours to identify safety hazards, equipment abnormalities, or process deviations.
13. Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and operational policies, including timely reporting and investigation of incidents; partner with mill leadership to review procedures, investigate operational issues, and implement corrective actions.
14. Maintain housekeeping and workplace standards within the department.
15. Work a rotating schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
16. Special projects and assignments as business dictates.
17. Responsible for the maintenance, creation and control of all personally identifiable information or any other information protected by any Confidentiality or Privacy Standards or Company Policies that you have access or knowledge of, including but not limited to any state or federal regulations including HIPPA.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Supervises hourly production employees during assigned shift.

• Direct reports on assigned crew include Machine Tender Lead, OCC Operator Lead, Assistant OCC Operator, Back Tender, Winder Operator, Assistant Winder Operator, Fifth Hand, and General Helper.
• Also responsible for OCC Handlers and FG Shippers in the absence of their manager.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's degree in engineering, paper science, or a related field preferred; equivalent papermill experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
2. Minimum of 3 years of experience in a 24/7 paper mill or industrial manufacturing environment; supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
3. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills acquired from engineering experience, extensive experience working at a papermill, or from advanced degree work in engineering.
4. Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma.
5. Experience in process design, process optimization, project management or product support a plus.
6. Hands-on experience with operation of pumps, piping, valves and other control systems
7. Working knowledge of industrial manufacturing equipment, processes, and maintenance practices, preferably within linerboard or paper manufacturing operations.
8. Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with employees, management, and cross-functional teams.
9. Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships and promote a collaborative, team-oriented work environment.
10. Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating operational issues.
11. Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
12. Detail-oriented with the ability to meet established safety, quality, and performance standards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Able to perform for short and long periods of time in a production environment and around the mill site (standing, walking, sitting).
2. Must be able to use arms, hands or fingers to handle and manipulate objects or equipment.
3. Must be able to occasionally bend, reach, crouch, stoop, stretch or crawl.
4. Must be able to work in confined spaces, climb ladders and/or scaffolding.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. Able to work in hot, humid, cold and noisy industrial environment.
2. Willingness and ability to wear safety glasses, earplugs, hard hat, steel-toed boots and any other required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS N/A

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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This company is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.