Plant Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Plant Manager

Department: Operations

Reports to: General Manager

Location: Sturtevant, WI

Position Summary

Plant Manager Role owns total plant performance by building and leading systems that drive reliability, throughput, cost efficiency, and a high-performance culture.

Compensation

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At ND Paper, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

About Us

ND Paper is a leading manufacturer of high-quality pulp, paper, and packaging products in the United States, generating over half a billion dollars in annual sales. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited – the largest containerboard producer in the world – ND Paper is part of a global network committed to excellence and innovation. With two integrated pulp and paper mills in Rumford, Maine and Biron, Wisconsin, a packaging plant in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and two sheeting facilities in Langhorne, Pennsylvania and Fairmont, West Virginia, the ND Paper family produces nearly one million tons of products annually. Our 1,100 dedicated employees are the heart of our operations, and we are committed to fostering positive work environments where individuals can advance and thrive. At ND Paper, we are investing in our future, and that starts with our staff.

Key Responsibilities & Expected Results:

• Demonstrate safety as a core value and establish a safe work environment by actively leading the safe execution of work.
• Own key plant performance drivers, including cost per MSF, labor efficiency, scrap reduction, and equipment uptime.
• Support production planning by aligning demand, capacity, and monthly/quarterly output targets.
• Ensure stable and reliable production through standardized work, clear machine ownership, and a locked production schedule.
• Lead daily performance management systems, including KPI tracking, visual management, shift huddles, and escalation processes.
• Oversee maintenance reliability by supporting preventive maintenance programs, spare parts readiness, and root cause failure analysis.
• Drive continuous improvement in equipment reliability and process performance to reduce downtime and repeat failures.
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and operational discipline across all shifts.
• Develop team capability through training, standard work adherence, and leadership development.

Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

• Achieve on-time customer delivery and production schedule adherence.
• Improve plant uptime by reducing unplanned equipment downtime.
• Drive continuous improvement in productivity, labor efficiency, and manufacturing costs.
• Maintain high product quality while reducing defects, customer complaints, and waste.
• Ensure timely completion of preventive maintenance and effective root cause corrective actions.
• Improve equipment reliability through proactive maintenance and elimination of repeat failures.
• Ensure accurate production reporting, downtime tracking, and KPI reporting.
• Lead daily production meetings, monitor plant performance, and execute the Daily Management System (DMS).
• Develop employee skills through training, coaching, and succession planning.
• Support a safe workplace and maintain compliance with all company safety and operational standards.

Qualifications and Skills

Education and Experience

• Previous corrugated plant management or similar leadership experience.
• 5 to 10 years in a leadership position.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Technical Skills

• Experience with AICC or Fibre Box Association quality standards, preferred
• Familiarity with SPC (statistical process control) or equivalent process control methodologies, preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish, preferred
• Ability to use IT systems, including Microsoft Office, human capital management systems, manufacturing systems and SAP.

Core Competencies

• Align competencies with expected outcomes
• Accountability for results
• Problem solving/root cause analysis
• Process discipline
• Data driven decision making

Success Profile

• A successful Plant Manager builds a disciplined, high-performing operation where safety, reliability, and execution are consistent across all shifts—delivering predictable results without reliance on constant intervention.

Working Conditions

• Onsite at corrugated box plant

Attributes for Success

• Hard work – tackle each task with determination, passion and creativity; the willingness to put in whatever effort is required to successfully complete the job at hand.
• Pursuit of Excellence – strive to consistently exceed expectations in our day-to-day work and outperform our competitors in the marketplace, regarding work and company achievements as a collaborative goal with the desire to go above and beyond.
• Integrity - treat the company and teammates with upmost respect, operating on strong moral codes to drive company values and culture.
• Sense of Urgency – drive forward each day with speed, agility, and flexibility to capture unrealized opportunities and avoid potential risks for the business.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit – act like an owner, challenging the status quo, asking the right questions, and actively seeking ways to innovate and improve.
• Adaptability – be fluid with ND Paper’s continuous evolution while driving change in a fast-paced environment, equipped with the ability to acclimate quickly.
• Servant Leadership – set an example by implementing meaningful leadership with heart, empathy, foresight and stewardship.

ND Paper Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, hospital indemnity, and critical illness for you and your family.
• Financial protection benefits, including life insurance, disability insurance, and business travel accident insurance.
• Tax advantaged accounts such as Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Paid holidays, personal days, and vacation days to support work-life balance.
• A 401K retirement plan with a company match and annual fixed contribution
• Wellness programs with incentives and an on-site clinic available at our Rumford and Biron location.

Enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and paid time off. Discover more about our benefits and how we support our team by visiting 2026 Benefits. Come be a part of our team and grow with us!

Apply

Please submit your resume, and salary requirements to

No unsolicited resumes - ND Paper does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume you submit to us will immediately become the property of ND Paper. If you would like to become a recruiter for ND Paper, please contact us and we will agree in writing to terms and the specific job roles for which you are authorized to recruit.