What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Superintendent position at McKinley Paper and Packaging Company?
Job Title: Operations Superintendent
Location: New Mexico Mill
Reports To: Operations Manager
Position Summary:
The Operations Superintendent leads production team operators at the Prewitt, New Mexico Mill. This position is primarily responsible for creating a strong safety culture and work environment, continuously improving quality, productivity, and efficiency by upskilling each operator. The Superintendent must be a proven leader with strong knowledge of the entire papermaking process—from raw material processing in stock preparation to the paper machine, supporting equipment, and advanced papermaking skills.
This position reports to the Operations Manager, offering an exceptional opportunity to become a key part of succession planning for the Mill.
Responsibilities:
• Safety Leadership: Providing direct leadership to paper machine and stock prep personnel to ensure overall safe operations; leading safety systems and processes that support achieving a safety-first culture.
• Culture & Engagement: Maintaining an environment of integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence; empowering and engaging teammates to improve department performance, chemical blending, pulp processing, and papermaking skills.
• Training & Upskilling: Identifying developmental needs and facilitating the training of personnel across both stock preparation (pulpers, refiners, additive systems) and the paper machine lines.
• Troubleshooting: Teaching and empowering troubleshooting and Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) to each team to resolve machine defects, wet-end chemistry imbalances, and equipment faults.
• Maintenance & Downtime: Planning and controlling maintenance downtime performance; coordinating mechanical repairs and clothing changes for both stock prep and paper machine systems.
• Financial Management: Assisting in the preparation and management of maintenance budgets, operations forecasts, and capital expenditures to improve overall mill profitability.
Operational Compliance: Monitoring compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensuring consistent pulp quality, freeness, and continuous slurry feed to the headbox.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Coordinating efforts with upstream and downstream operations departments to build productive, collaborative relationships.
Requirements:
• Process Knowledge: Proven, deep knowledge of paper making skills and complete stock preparation systems (including fiber refining, chemical additives, and stock blending).
• Safety Standards: Strong knowledge of safe maintenance practices, including Behavioral Based Safety (BBS) and Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) protocols.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are essential; a demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment to identify opportunities and deliver results.
• Problem Solving: Excellent technical troubleshooting and Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) skills to identify root causes, formulate corrective actions, and execute solutions.
• Planning & Systems: Excellent planning, organizational, time management, and prioritization skills. Proficient computer skills, including MS Office and SAP or equivalent Data Management Systems.
• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in paper science, engineering, or a related field. Candidates with commensurate practical industrial maintenance skills and leadership experience may be substituted for a degree and will be evaluated.
• Tenure: 8 years of experience and progressive leadership responsibilities within the pulp and paper manufacturing industry.
Work Environment:
• Safety Compliance: The work environment involves following detailed safety precautions and wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required by the job.
• Physical Demands: Walking, standing, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, for extended periods of time.
• Conditions: Working conditions will be primarily on the manufacturing floor with limited time in an office environment. The position is regularly exposed to hot and cold temperatures, wet, humid conditions, and loud noise.
• Schedule: Must be able to work extended hours and participate in the Weekend Management rotation coverage.