Area Operations Manager Jobs in Pullman, WA (NOW HIRING)

Where you will work

Lewiston is Clearwater Paper’s original manufacturing facility and home to nearly 700 dedicated team members who power our site. Together, we make paperboard used in products across the United States, including food packaging, plates, cups and more. Home to the first mill that produced poster board from wood waste, 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 an active outdoor lifecycle with easy access to fishing, boating, hiking and camping. The region’s milder climate means more rain than snow in the winter and long, sunny days in the summer.

Living here means you’ll be close to Lewis-Clark State College, University of Idaho, Washington State University, and Walla Walla Community College, as well as strong local K–12 school districts.

What you will do

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 meet/exceed 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 nine (9) direct reports and oversee a department of approximately 60 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. 

Safety and Environmental 

• 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 Procedure) 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

Organizational Leadership 

• Promotes an environment where the team achieves zero incidents in Environmental, Health, and Safety
• Establishes strategic direction of paperboard producing machine(s), with the understanding of the current state, the desired future state, and develops and executes plans and strategies to close the gaps
• Drives excellence by actively supporting and challenging the team to achieve record breaking results
• Provides strategic leadership and coaching to employees 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

Production and Quality 

• 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

Continuous Improvement 

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

Key Competencies & Attributes 

• Actively seeks and allocates appropriate decision-making authority or task responsibility to appropriate individuals based on their abilities, availability, motivation, and development needs; considers potential positive and negative impact, business unit priorities, organizational values, and the opportunity to enhance others’ knowledge and skills
• Identifies barriers that impact customer service and retention; communicates concerns and recommendations to others
• Uses understanding of customer needs and the organization’s customer service practices to set priorities, make decisions, and take actions that create customer satisfaction and prevent service issues from occurring
• Creates relevant options for addressing problems and opportunities that will achieve desired outcomes
• Systematically evaluates business opportunities, targeting those with the greatest potential for producing positive business results

What you will need

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Pulp & Paper Science preferred
• 5+ years operational paper machine experience
• Operations experience in a leadership or technical role preferred
• Previous leadership, project management, or system coordination experience is desired
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills with experience in leading change
• Experience working with high customer demand paper grades is preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
• Planning and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel with ability to learn production related programs
• Self-directed and energetic, able to lead, and motivate others
• Knowledge of industry, machinery, equipment, and processes
• TPM/Lean experience desired
• High speed manufacturing environment, sustained exposure to high frequency noises, multiple hours standing, and walking on concrete or uneven surfaces
• Personal Protective Equipment required in mill environment

Total Rewards Details

We prioritize an exceptional workplace experience, offering a comprehensive total reward package.  This position is eligible for our Incentive Plan. Compensation ranges are estimates based on market data.  Actual offers account for internal equity and candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and geographic location. Benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and more, generally begin after 30 days. Our paid time off will include vacation days, personal days, and company holidays. For more on our compensation philosophy, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition Team at Talent.Acquisition@clearwaterpaper.com.

Clearwater Paper will not offer sponsorship for employment-based visa status (including, but not limited to, H-1B visa status and other employment-based nonimmigrant visas) for this position.  Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and must not require Clearwater Paper's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States. 

#ClearwaterPaper #Lewiston

This role will be open for a minimum of 2 weeks or at the point a successful candidate is selected.