Supervisor

CONVERTING SUPERVISOR

ND Packaging | Sturtevant, WI

Department

Converting

Reports To

Converting Superintendent

Location

Sturtevant, WI

Position Summary

The Converting Supervisor is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the converting department on an assigned shift. This role leads a team of hourly operators running flexo folder gluers, die cutters, bundlers, stitchers, and related equipment to produce corrugated packaging that meets customer specifications, quality standards, and production targets. The Supervisor is a front-line leader accountable for safety, output, quality, downtime management, and crew performance.

Key Responsibilities

Safety

• Enforce all safety policies, LOTO procedures, and PPR requirements - zero tolerance for shortcuts.
• Conduct and document daily pre-shift safety observations; address hazards immediately.
• Lead incident investigations for any near-miss or injury on shift; complete reports same shift.
• Ensure crew compliance with PPE, housekeeping standards, and forklift/material handling protocols.

Production & Efficiency

• Meet or exceed shift production targets (MSF output, machine run rates, makeready time).
• Drive equipment utilization - minimize unplanned downtime through operator-level PM compliance.
• Manage shift startup, order sequencing, and job transitions to reduce waste and idle time.
• Communicate shift handoff clearly: open orders, equipment issues, crew concerns, material shortages.
• Coordinate with Scheduling on order priority changes and capacity constraints.

Quality

• Verify job setup against work orders before run approval - no production on unapproved setups.
• Monitor in-process quality (print registration, score/fold, glue integrity, bundle count/tie pattern).
• Place quality holds on non-conforming product; tag and segregate to designated hold area.
• Log converting quality events in the daily downtime/quality log; distinguish bad-board (corrugator-origin) waste from converting-process waste.
• Corrective action documentation for repeat quality issues.

Downtime & Maintenance

• Log all downtime events in real time - machine, reason code, duration, action taken.
• Tag equipment defects using the plant defect tagging system; escalate to Maintenance per the established protocol.
• Perform or direct operator-level PM tasks on assigned equipment; verify completion in the PM log.
• Do not defer defect reporting - if it's broken or degraded, tag it this shift.

People & Culture

• Supervise, direct, and develop a crew of ~8-20 hourly operators per shift.
• Conduct performance coaching in real time; document recurring performance issues per HR process.
• Hold crew accountable to attendance, policy, and conduct standards; escalate to HR when warranted.
• Foster a culture of ownership - operators should understand their machine, their numbers, and their impact.
• Train new operators on job setups, quality standards, and safety procedures.

Reporting & Communication

• Complete shift production report before leaving - output, downtime, quality events, headcount.
• Participate in daily operations meeting; present shift summary concisely and accurately.
• Communicate material shortages, scheduling conflicts, or equipment failures

Performance Metrics

Metric

Description

MSF Output vs. Target

Shift production against scheduled plan (MSF)

Converting Waste %

Trim, makeready, and process waste - excludes bad board from corrugator

Unplanned Downtime (min)

Downtime not covered by planned maintenance or changeovers

Safety Observations Completed

Daily pre-shift observations documented

PM Compliance Rate

Operator-level PM tasks completed on schedule

Quality Hold Rate

Customer-complaint-linked events originating on shift

Downtime Log Completeness

% of downtime events with reason code and notes logged same shift

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum 2 years of experience operating or supervising corrugated converting equipment (FFG, die cutter, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to lead a shift crew in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, run schedules, and quality specifications.
• Basic math and measurement skills; comfort with production reporting.
• Strong communication skills - clear, direct, and timely up and down the org.

Preferred

• 3+ years in corrugated box manufacturing with direct supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with flexo printing, glue systems, and bundling/stitching operations.
• Experience with LOTO, forklift safety, and OSHA 10/30 certification.
• Comfort with digital production logs or basic CMMS tools.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or Mandarin a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods on the production floor.
• Lift up to 50 lbs occasionally; work in environments with noise, dust, and temperature variation.
• Able to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.

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 2025 Benefits. Come be a part of our team and grow with us!

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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.


Note: This job description reflects core responsibilities and is not exhaustive. Duties may be adjusted based on plant needs and the ongoing operational turnaround. Targets for KPIs will be established after a 60-90 day baseline period.