Manufacturing Excellence Manager

What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference? At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer challenging assignments and total rewards in countries around the world. When we say infinite possibilities, we mean it. Apply now and join a community that improves people’s lives, the planet and our company’s performance by transforming renewable resources into products people depend on every day.

Position Title:
Manufacturing Excellence Manager

Pay Rate:
$125,900 - $167,800
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:
Mansfield Mill
1202 Highway 509
Mansfield, LA 71104
318-872-5100

The Job You Will Perform:
The Manufacturing Excellence Manager (MME) reports directly to the Mill Optimization Leader and is responsible for delivering results through the Manufacturing Excellence (ME) methodology by leading deliberate and continuous improvement initiatives. This role leads the ME team and integrates ME priorities across the facility using structured improvement tools.
The MME works closely with all levels of the organization—including Business Unit Managers, Area Managers, and “Improve” resources (such as Reliability Engineers, Capital Engineers, and others)—to ensure the mill’s improvement plan is cohesive and aligned. These resources and their supervisors must be comfortable with the MME playing a role in setting and managing their priorities. The MME coordinates most of the mill’s improvement activities, with a primary focus on cost reduction and process optimization.
Essential Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate leadership in safety and support broad-based participation in the mill’s safety processes
• Identify, prioritize, plan, facilitate, track, and sustain deliberate improvement initiatives
• Ensure alignment with corporate guidelines, the strategic plan, and mill manufacturing goals
• Lead strategy development for year-over-year improvements and the 5-year facility plan
• Support area leaders in executing improvement plans
• Collaborate with Lead Team members to integrate and prioritize ME initiatives across the facility
• Plan and schedule energy, chemical, and area performance audits to identify future opportunities
• Oversee monthly tracking of improvement projects to monitor progress and adjust future activities
• Champion the mill’s overall improvement process and ensure best practices are replicated appropriately
• Oversee the Early Career Manufacturing and Co-Op/Intern programs and support ME Area Leaders in developing engineers

The Skills You Will Bring:

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Paper Science Engineering (or a related field) required
• 8 years of manufacturing experience required
• Experience with continuous improvement concepts and tools preferred
• Green Belt certification required; Black Belt certification must be completed if not already held
• Strong ability to influence without direct oversight
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in computer applications, including spreadsheets, Minitab, and Pi

Key Competencies:

• Managerial Courage
• Organizational Agility
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Building Effective Teams
• Managing and Measuring Work
• Drive for Results
• Process Management

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

• Paid time off including Vacation and Holidays
• Retirement and 401k Matching Program
• Medical & Dental
• Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement)
• Life & Disability Insurance

The Career You Will Build:

• Leadership training
• Promotional opportunities

The Impact You Will Make:
We continue to build a better future for people, the plant, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 120 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. You will learn Safety Leadership Principles and have the opportunity to opt into Employee Networking Circles such as IPVets, IPride, Women in IP, and the African American ENC. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join:
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion. 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 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.
Mansfield LA 71052