What are the responsibilities and job description for the First Line Leader – Shipping and Secondary Fibers (OCC/ Recycle) position at International Paper?
Position Title
JOB DESCRIPTION
First Line Leader – Shipping and Secondary Fibers (OCC/ Recycle)
Pay Rate
$82,500 – 110,000
Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.
Category/Shift
Salaried Full-Time
Physical Location:
Prattville Mill
The Finished Products First Line Leader (FLL) – Shipping and Secondary Fibers/OCC/Recycle provides first‑level leadership to hourly employees responsible for trailer loading, rail loading, staging, warehouse flow, outbound shipment execution, inbound fiber management, and unit operations for an Old Corrugated Containerboard (OCC) Plant. This role oversees approximately 15–20 hourly union employees on a rotating shift schedule. The FLL is accountable for safety, production execution, inventory control, labor management, employee development, and communication across shifts.
This position focuses exclusively on Shipping operations and Secondary Fiber Operations and does not include responsibilities for Paper.
The Job You Will Perform
The Benefits You Will Enjoy:
International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets
The Career You Will Build
Leadership training, promotional opportunities
The Impact You Will Make
We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.
The Culture You Will Experience
International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture. The Company You Will Join:
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.
International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.
JOB DESCRIPTION
First Line Leader – Shipping and Secondary Fibers (OCC/ Recycle)
Pay Rate
$82,500 – 110,000
Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.
Category/Shift
Salaried Full-Time
Physical Location:
Prattville Mill
The Finished Products First Line Leader (FLL) – Shipping and Secondary Fibers/OCC/Recycle provides first‑level leadership to hourly employees responsible for trailer loading, rail loading, staging, warehouse flow, outbound shipment execution, inbound fiber management, and unit operations for an Old Corrugated Containerboard (OCC) Plant. This role oversees approximately 15–20 hourly union employees on a rotating shift schedule. The FLL is accountable for safety, production execution, inventory control, labor management, employee development, and communication across shifts.
This position focuses exclusively on Shipping operations and Secondary Fiber Operations and does not include responsibilities for Paper.
The Job You Will Perform
- Promote and enforce all safety procedures and policies.
- Lead or support incident investigations and ensure corrective actions.
- Conduct routine safety audits, including housekeeping checks and dock/warehouse safety inspections.
- Ensure compliance with lockout/tagout procedures for Shipping & Secondary Fibers-related work.
- Lead the Shipping & Secondary Fibers crew, ensuring all roles (shippers, loaders, strappers, operators, contractor support) are properly staffed and executing their tasks.
- Review previous shift performance and ensure a thorough shift‑to‑shift handoff.
- Oversee vehicle (rail and trailer) loading performance against daily targets.
- Monitor warehouse flow, staging levels, trailer/rail assignment accuracy, production rates, stock consistency, and other key performance indicators.
- Communicate priorities to loaders, operators, strappers, and contractors to maintain efficient operations.
- Monitor loading/unloading progress and OCC production throughout the shift and make adjustments to labor or equipment as needed.
- Practice effective resolution solutions with a variety of internal and external customers, including over the road truck drivers and contractors.
- Resolve operational barriers by coordinating with Traffic/Transportation/Logistics, Corporate Support, Contractors and Logistics stakeholders.
- Manage Shipping inventory controls, including staging verification, trailer accuracy, scan compliance, and bay integrity.
- Review key shipment and inventory metrics and make adjustments as needed.
- Validate transportation assignments and inventory accuracy in coordination with shipping personnel.
- Conduct routine warehouse bay audits to identify misplaced or unscanned rolls.
- Review electronic reports daily and drive timely resolution.
- Address loading quality issues with employees and ensure loads meet customer and mill standards.
- Hold crew members accountable for following standard loading, unloading, production, scanning, and housekeeping procedures.
- Provide coaching, conduct One‑to‑Ones, and complete required performance documentation, attendance reports, and new hire evaluations.
- Complete daily timekeeping entries and ensure time approval deadlines are met.
- Maintain accurate and timely shift documentation, notes, and reports to management.
- Send required daily communication to corporate partners and contractors
- Minimum 2 years of experience in Shipping, Secondary Fibers, or related warehouse/logistics/manufacturing operations.
- Proven leadership ability to direct, coach, and hold hourly employees accountable.
- Strong ownership, urgency, and adaptability in fast‑changing conditions.
- Working knowledge of lean manufacturing and problem‑solving methods.
- Effective communicator who builds trust and teamwork across crews and departments.
- Preferred: technical skills with mill systems (inventory, reporting tools, data historian, DCS, SAP, PowerBI).
- Preferred degree in Chemical, Paper, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; equivalent experience accepted.
- Required: availability for extended/short‑notice hours, visible leadership, and lean manufacturing knowledge.
- Preferred: advanced knowledge in papermaking, PI/PARCView, mill procurement, and manufacturing work systems.
- Strong interpersonal skills to foster trust, respect, and collaboration with both hourly and salaried teams
The Benefits You Will Enjoy:
International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets
The Career You Will Build
Leadership training, promotional opportunities
The Impact You Will Make
We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.
The Culture You Will Experience
International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture. The Company You Will Join:
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.
International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.
Salary : $82,500 - $110,000