General Manager Johnsonburg

Domtar is a leading producer of pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products. Through our focus on safety and sustainability, as well as our commitment to operational excellence and our network of facilities across Canada and the United States, Domtar delivers high-quality and cost-effective products to customers around the world.

Our workforce is comprised of 14,000 talented and hardworking individuals. We are proud to offer competitive compensation, a supportive working environment, rewarding career paths and plenty of opportunities for learning and growth.

The location in Johnsonburg, PA is seeking talent to fill the position of General Manager.


The General Manager (Mill Manager) will be responsible for leading, planning and executing the mill's manufacturing operations through the implementation of Domtar's Management Operating System (MOS), Reliability Roadmap & better practices as well as deepening the continuous improvement mindset & structure. This includes responsibility for manufacturing and delivering the highest quality products in the safest and most cost-effective manner. This leader is expected to develop and manage a highly reliable organization.

Specific responsibilities for this position include :

• Serve as mill safety champion , providing visible leadership to all safety related initiatives and processes across the site.
• Direct facility manufacturing activities to meet production, reliability, and other financial goals.
• Manage personnel and visible leadership of the mill's manufacturing operations, employing leading edge manufacturing techniques that are consistent across the manufacturing system.
• Working through the appropriate functional managers & corporate partners, ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and standards.
• Develop and manage budget execution with a focus on product manufacturing costs and operating margins.
• Direct all production control, product and process development, quality systems, and shipping and receiving activities for site operations.
• Provide leadership, coaching and development for direct reports and other leaders within the mill as well as developing & maintaining a Succession Planning process.
• Manage personnel development and performance management programs in accordance with company guidelines.
• Further develop established local public and community relationships
• Partner with Product Development, Sales and Marketing to understand customer needs and coordinate the production process for the development and introduction of new products.
• Collaborate/engage with key subject matter experts on the central corporate team and with other facilities to maximize the performance of the site, accelerate problem solving, and the adoption of the One Domtar better practices.
• Ensure that manufacturing capabilities meet or exceed all industry and customer requirements for cost, quality, and responsiveness.
• Working with other senior managers, plan, approve and implement capital spending plans and various site projects in conjunction with developing the strategic roadmap for the site.
• Develop and maintain relationships with organized labor to create joint accountability for facility results.
• Collaborate with Corporate Labor Relations team and other Manufacturing Leaders to develop overall labor strategy and negotiate union contracts.
• Partner with Human Resources to promote fair and equitable employee relations practices.
• Maintain a sense of urgency, engagement and accountability across the organization that includes, day-to-day shop floor execution, efficiency, attention to detail and collaboration throughout the system.
• Lead and sustain continuous improvements through disciplined process management.
• Shape and lead the culture toward One Domtar

Year One Critical Success Factors:

• Financial/Operational - deliver on all elements of the business plan to include safety, environmental, quality, cost, and productivity.
• Learn the Domtar Management Operating System and champion its implementation, realizing every site is at a different stage.
• Safety - maintain momentum of existing program while adding energy and a new perspective to safety effort. Understand Domtar's strategy around Serious Injury & Fatality (SIF) prevention, HOP principles & direction, and Risk Management.
• Technical - know the specific operation in depth and understand the business drivers that dictate overall mill performance; be able to exercise sound judgment and leadership when making operating decisions.
• Employee & Community Relations - involvement in the community and build employee relations, ensure workplace morale by building of relationships and creating a positive working environment.
• Demonstrate the soft skills required to build candor and trust across all levels of the organization and community.
• Customer - Deliver a consistent & repeatable product while partnering with the Quality team on short- and long-term goals.
• Team Building - Build a team that functions well together and demonstrates the leadership behaviors that leads to success.
• Credibility - gain recognition and reputation as a highly visible and engaged leader at the Mill.
• Develop relationships with all key stakeholders within the corporate team to ensure alignment and success of the business.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in paper, chemical or mechanical engineering or a related field
• A minimum of 10 years' experience of manufacturing leadership (15+ preferred), in a high volume, process driven environment, preferably within the pulp and paper sector

You will be required to successfully complete a selection process that could include interviews, an employment background check, a pre-employment drug and alcohol screen, reference verifications, aptitude tests (for some positions), and a fitness-for-duty test (for some positions).


Domtar is an equal-opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, color, sex (including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), marital status, religion, national origin, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. We are also committed to ensuring reasonable accommodations for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990.

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. If you are selected to interview, you will be contacted by a member of our Human Resources team.


To learn more about our company, consult the Domtar Company Web Site and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.