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Paper Machine Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WinCup

Paper Cup Machine Operator

Tolleson, AZ · On-site

$16.75 - $20/hr

Job Title: Paper Cup Machine Operator Department: Paper Cups Supervisor's Title: Production Manager Location : Tolleson, AZ Work Type: On-Site (Not a Remote Position) WinCup is a foodservice ...

WinCup

Paper Cup Machine Operator

Tolleson, AZ

$16.75 - $20/hr

Job Title: Paper Cup Machine Operator Department: Paper Cups Supervisor's Title: Production Manager Location : Tolleson, AZ Work Type: On-Site (Not a Remote Position) WinCup is a foodservice ...

Clearwater Paper

Paper Machine Supervisor

Lewiston, ID

$84.50K - $127K/yr

... two paper machines, two extruders, two power boilers and two recovery boilers. Located where the ... Facilitates Shift Hand Off (SHO) and participates in Daily Operating Review (DOR), Weekly Operating ...

Westrock

Mgr I, Mfg Ops

Longview, WA · On-site

$93.38K - $155.63K/yr

The Paper Machine Asst Supt is also responsible for the direction of an Operations Maintenance Coordinator, process engineering support, operator training program, and union hourly employees assigned ...

1872 Consulting

Machine Superintendent

Madawaska, ME

$120K/yr

... paper machine operations, ensuring production schedules and quality specifications are consistently met. This role leads both salaried and hourly employees through daily operating routines, on-the ...

Teksky

Machine Superintendent

Madawaska, ME · On-site

Oversee daily operations of paper machine production through team supervision, schedule management ... Maintain and enforce Management Operating Systems across the department. * Provide financial data ...

Magnera Corporation

Machine Operator

Mount Holly, NC

$15.75 - $18.75/hr

The Machine Operator has the qualifications and business acumen to provide support by setting up ... paper machine by ensuring the start-up cart has a roll and is in proper position and help feed ...

Magnera Corporation

Machine Operator

Mount Holly, NC · On-site

$15.75 - $18.75/hr

The Machine Operator has the qualifications and business acumen to provide support by setting up ... paper machine by ensuring the start-up cart has a roll and is in proper position and help feed ...

Seaman Paper

Machine Operator

Orange, MA

$16.75 - $20/hr

Seaman Paper, headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, is a leading global manufacturer of ... The Machine Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining a variety of ...

Magnera Corporation

Machine Operator

Mount Holly, NC · On-site

$15.75 - $18.75/hr

The Machine Operator has the qualifications and business acumen to provide support by setting up ... paper machine by ensuring the start-up cart has a roll and is in proper position and help feed ...

Magnera Corporation

Machine Operator

Mount Holly, NC

$15.75 - $18.75/hr

The Machine Operator has the qualifications and business acumen to provide support by setting up ... paper machine by ensuring the start-up cart has a roll and is in proper position and help feed ...

Magnera Corporation

Machine Operator

Mount Holly, NC

$15.75 - $18.75/hr

The Machine Operator has the qualifications and business acumen to provide support by setting up ... paper machine by ensuring the start-up cart has a roll and is in proper position and help feed ...

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How much do paper machine operator jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for paper machine operator in the United States is $18.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $19.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Paper Machine Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Paper Machine Operator, you need a solid understanding of mechanical operations, troubleshooting, and production processes, often supported by a high school diploma or technical training. Familiarity with industrial machinery, computerized control systems, and safety certifications such as OSHA are typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills help operators manage workflow and respond quickly to issues. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining product quality, minimizing downtime, and ensuring a safe and efficient manufacturing environment.

What are the most common challenges faced by Paper Machine Operators on the job?

Paper Machine Operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistent machine performance, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and ensuring product quality standards are met. The fast-paced environment requires quick decision-making and attention to detail, especially when responding to unexpected issues like paper breaks or mechanical faults. Operators must also coordinate closely with maintenance crews and quality control teams to minimize downtime and keep production running smoothly.

What are Paper Machine Operators?

Paper Machine Operators are skilled workers responsible for running and maintaining machines that produce paper from raw materials like wood pulp. They monitor machine settings, inspect finished paper for quality, and adjust equipment as needed to ensure efficient operation. Their duties also include troubleshooting mechanical problems and performing routine maintenance. Paper Machine Operators play a vital role in the manufacturing process, ensuring that paper products meet industry standards and customer requirements.

What is the difference between Paper Machine Operator vs Paper Mill Technician?

AspectPaper Machine OperatorPaper Mill Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma; technical training or certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing floor of paper mills, operating machineryMaintenance and repair areas within paper mills, supporting machinery
Industry UsagePrimarily in paper manufacturing plantsInvolved in maintaining and troubleshooting paper production equipment

The Paper Machine Operator focuses on running and monitoring paper production machines, ensuring quality and efficiency. In contrast, the Paper Mill Technician primarily handles maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting of equipment. Both roles are essential in paper manufacturing, often working closely to ensure smooth operations.

More about Paper Machine Operator jobs
What cities are hiring for Paper Machine Operator jobs? Cities with the most Paper Machine Operator job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Paper Machine Operator jobs? The top employers for Paper Machine Operator jobs are:
What states have the most Paper Machine Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Paper Machine Operator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Paper Machine Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Paper Machine Operator jobs are:
Paper Machine Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Paper Machine Operator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,827 per year, or $18.2 per hour.

Superintendent Paper Machine

Clearwater Paper and Manchester Industries

Augusta, GA • On-site

$60.10 - $96.15/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Where you will work
Augusta houses Clearwater Paper's largest paperboard facility and is home to more than 600 team members. Together, our team makes paperboard used in products across the United States, including food packaging, plates, cups and more. With nearly 65 years of operation, the mill spans 3,000 acres and runs two paper machines that collectively produce up to 1,940 tons per day.
Augusta is known worldwide for hosting The Masters golf tournament, but the city offers so much more. Located on the Savannah River on Georgia's eastern border, Augusta blends outdoor recreation with a vibrant arts and cultural scene. Explore the river walk, hike at the nearby wetlands, or the numerous downtown museums and restaurants.
Families benefit from strong public schools and nearby universities, including Augusta University-home to Georgia's only dental school and a nationally recognized medical college-plus technical colleges offering career-focused programs.
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 twelve (12) direct reports and oversee a department of approximately 100 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 behavioural 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
To be successful in this position, we are looking for candidates with the following:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Pulp & Paper Science preferred.
  • Minimum of five 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.
  • 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.
  • Able to work in a high-speed manufacturing environment, sustained exposure to high-frequency noises, multiple hours standing, walking on concrete surfaces, heat, and cold and mill environments.
  • Able to wear and abide by Personal Protective Equipment that is required in the mill environment.
  • Able to climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding.
  • Could be exposed to hazardous chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
  • Prolonged work hours may be required during times of upset conditions or planned outages.
  • Rotating On-Call Weekend Duty

Total Rewards Details
We prioritize an exceptional workplace experience, offering a comprehensive total reward package. Compensation ranges are estimates based on market data. Actual offers account for internal equity and the candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and more, generally begin after 30 days. Our paid time off includes vacation days, personal days, and company holidays. For more on our compensation philosophy, please contact 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 #Augusta
This role will be open for a minimum of 2 weeks or at the point a successful candidate is selected.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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