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Paper Mill Jobs in Tomahawk, WI (NOW HIRING)

Ahlstrom

Future Papermakers Needed

Rhinelander, WI · On-site

$70K/yr

Ahlstrom's Rhinelander paper mill has immediate openings for General Laborers. General Laborers receive training in paper machines, coating preparation, stock preparation, shipping. If you have a ...

Ahlstrom

E&I Apprentice

Rhinelander, WI · On-site

Ahlstrom's Rhinelander paper mill is HIRING NOW for an Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) Apprentice. The Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) Apprentice works under the guidance of licensed or ...

pca

Production Laborers

Tomahawk, WI · On-site

$16.75 - $19.75/hr

The Tomahawk Mill is a 24-hour operation; candidates must be able to work any assigned rotating ... Pulp & Paper industry experience preferred. At least 2-5 years of experience in manufacturing ...

Ahlstrom

Maintenance Supervisor

Rhinelander, WI · On-site

Supervise and direct mechanical maintenance across the mill to ensure maximum uptime and ... paper, pulp, heavy industrial preferred) * Proven success leading teams in a 24/7 operation

All JobsPaper Mill JobsPaper Mill Jobs in Tomahawk, WI

Paper Mill information

See Tomahawk, WI salary details

$14

$20

$26

How much do paper mill jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for paper mill in Tomahawk, WI is $20.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.64 and $22.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a paper mill worker?

Paper mill workers are employees who operate and maintain the machinery used to manufacture paper products from raw materials like wood pulp or recycled paper. Their responsibilities include monitoring production processes, ensuring quality standards, performing maintenance, and troubleshooting equipment. Paper mill workers often work in teams and may specialize in areas such as pulping, papermaking, or finishing. The role requires attention to safety protocols due to the use of heavy machinery and chemicals.

What are the qualifications to work in a paper mill?

The qualifications needed to work in a paper mill depend on your responsibilities. To be a mill operator, you need to have a high school diploma or GED certificate, as well as job training under more experienced machine operators. You also need excellent mechanical and technical problem-solving skills. Managers typically have several years of experience working in a mill, including at least a year in a supervisory position. Quality control workers need to have a strong grasp of the technical specifications of the materials and paper goods they inspect and knowledge of regulatory compliance. Service technicians need mechanical training and strong computer skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a paper mill worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Paper Mill Worker, you need a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, mechanical aptitude, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with industrial machinery, safety protocols, and experience using computerized control systems is valuable. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are important soft skills in this role. These skills help ensure efficient production, maintain quality standards, and promote a safe work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by employees working in a paper mill, and how can they be managed?

Working in a paper mill often involves managing heavy machinery, maintaining safety standards, and handling repetitive tasks in a fast-paced environment. Employees may face challenges such as exposure to noise, dust, and varying temperatures, as well as the need for constant attention to detail to avoid equipment malfunctions. To manage these challenges, it's important to follow safety protocols, use personal protective equipment (PPE), and participate in regular training sessions. Teamwork and clear communication with supervisors and coworkers also play a vital role in maintaining a safe and productive workspace.

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

AspectPaper MillPaper Machine Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical training often preferredHigh school diploma; on-the-job training or technical certification
Work EnvironmentFactories or manufacturing plants, often noisy and industrialInside paper machines, working on production lines in industrial settings
Industry UsageBroad term encompassing various roles in paper manufacturingSpecific role focused on operating paper machines
Job FocusOversees entire paper production process or manages multiple rolesOperates and monitors paper machines to produce quality paper

While a Paper Mill refers to the entire manufacturing facility producing paper, a Paper Machine Operator is a specific role within that facility responsible for running the paper machines. The operator ensures smooth operation and quality control, whereas the mill encompasses all processes and staff involved in paper production.

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For Paper Mill jobs in Tomahawk, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Paper Mill jobs near you
Infographic showing various Paper Mill job openings in Tomahawk, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,110 per year, or $20.2 per hour.

Operations Manager, Paper Mill

Rhinelander, WI • On-site

Ahlstrom
5 - 10K employees

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

29th of 62 rated fashion and textile manufacturers

People enjoy working here

Paid breaks

Respectful managers

Learn more about Ahlstromexternal

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

You have a choice of where you want to work! We invite you along on our journey to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to attract, retain, and energize passionate people, like you, by investing in your professional development and providing opportunities for personal growth.
Do your values align with ours? Accountability, Growth mindset, One team, Care and a fair and inclusive work environment for everyone, everywhere!
We strive to meet the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our team, safeguarding the environment, and creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the communities where we do business. Are you with us?!?
Purpose of the job
Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Operations Manager leads the safe, reliable, efficient, and profitable operation of the Paper Business Unit. This role requires deep paper manufacturing experience, including practical knowledge of how paper is made and how to improve paper machine performance, quality, reliability, and cost.
The Operations Manager is expected to set a clear direction for Paper Operations, strengthen the culture, develop leaders, and build an organization that can consistently perform without over-reliance on any single leader. Within the first 3 to 6 months, the role should establish a 5-year operations vision and translate that vision into a practical roadmap with priorities, milestones, talent needs, and measurable business outcomes.
As a key member of the mill leadership team, this role partners across Maintenance, Engineering, Technical, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, and Commercial teams to improve safety, quality, productivity, employee engagement, customer outcomes, and overall business performance.
Main responsibility areas
Safety, Quality & Compliance Leadership
  • Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with all OSHA, environmental, food safety, quality, hygiene, regulatory, and company requirements.
  • Lead risk reduction, incident investigation, corrective action, audit, and employee engagement processes that improve safe behaviors and operating discipline.
  • Ensure products meet quality standards and customer specifications; partner with Technical, Quality, and Commercial teams to address issues and improve customer satisfaction.

Paper Manufacturing Operations Leadership
  • Direct paper manufacturing operations across paper machines and associated production areas, ensuring production schedules are executed safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
  • Apply strong paper industry knowledge to improve machine performance, process stability, product quality, OEE, waste, throughput, and reliability.
  • Optimize staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation to meet customer requirements and operational objectives.

Vision, Strategy & Change Leadership
  • Create a clear 5-year vision for Paper Operations within the first 6 to 9 months and convert it into a practical roadmap with near-term actions, strategic initiatives, talent plans, and measurable performance targets.
  • Lead change management efforts that strengthen culture, raise accountability, improve engagement, and sustain new ways of working.
  • See the big picture across safety, quality, cost, reliability, people, customer, and business outcomes; make decisions that balance immediate needs with long-term competitiveness.

Leadership, Talent Development & Culture
  • Lead, coach, and develop salaried operations leaders, frontline supervisors, and hourly team members in a unionized 24/7 manufacturing environment.
  • Build bench strength through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, workforce planning, and clear development plans for key roles.
  • Establish expectations, routines, and decision rights that enable the organization to perform consistently without depending on the Operations Manager for day-to-day decisions.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, curiosity, continuous learning, inclusion, engagement, and operational excellence.

Business & Operational Performance
  • Understand key operating and cost drivers, including productivity, overtime, downtime, waste, reliability, quality, and customer impact.
  • Partner with Finance and mill leadership to manage resources responsibly and support business performance goals.
  • Use data and operating metrics to prioritize work, solve problems, and help the team understand how daily decisions affect business results.

Continuous Improvement, Reliability & Cross-Functional Execution
  • Champion continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, reliability-centered improvement, standard work, and operational excellence tools.
  • Partner closely with Maintenance and Engineering to improve asset reliability, uptime, shutdown execution, equipment care, and capital project execution.
  • Build disciplined management systems that improve operating performance, workforce effectiveness, and sustainable execution.

Communication
Internally
Direct reports, Plant Manager, mill leadership team, Human Resources, Finance, Maintenance, Engineering, Technical, Quality, Supply Chain, Commercial, and senior business leaders
Externally
Vendors, contractors, customers, and other external partners as required
Experience and education
  • Minimum of 8 to 10 years of progressive manufacturing experience, with significant experience in paper manufacturing operations required.
  • Minimum of 3 to 5 years of leadership experience in paper manufacturing operations, preferably in a 24/7 unionized mill environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead culture change, strengthen accountability, and improve performance through people, systems, and disciplined execution.
  • Proven success developing supervisors and salaried leaders, building succession plans, and improving organizational capability.
  • Business understanding with the ability to connect operational decisions to cost, productivity, customer, and mill performance outcomes.
  • Experience creating multi-year operational roadmaps, leading continuous improvement, and improving safety, quality, reliability, productivity, and cost performance.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Paper Science, Manufacturing Management, Business, or a related field preferred. Equivalent paper manufacturing leadership experience may be considered. Master's degree desired.

Additional critical capabilities
  • Deep paper manufacturing knowledge and credibility with operations teams.
  • Strong change management capability, including the ability to build commitment, reduce resistance, and sustain new ways of working.
  • Curiosity, learning agility, and openness to better ways of operating.
  • Strong communication and influence across functions, shifts, unionized employee groups, and senior leaders.
  • Operational excellence, continuous improvement, root cause problem solving, reliability, and customer focus.

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.
About Us.
Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people.
Read more at www.ahlstrom.com.

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