What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pulp Mill Assistant Technical Superintendent position at Smurfit Westrock?
THE OPPORTUNITY:
The Pulp Mill Technical Assistant Superintendent provides technical, operational, and leadership support for the Hopewell Pulp Mill. The primary responsibility for this role is serving as the operational lead for a $25MM capital project to modernize the recausticizing area, including integration planning, commissioning readiness, and operational implementation.
In this role, you will work closely with Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance to ensure the project meets safety, quality, cost, and performance expectations while sustaining reliable day‑to‑day mill operations. This position also supports ongoing optimization efforts across cooking, washing, screening, and all associated Pulp Mill processes.
HOW YOU WILL IMPACT SMURFIT WESTROCK:
- Lead operational planning, integration, and startup preparation for the recausticizing modernization capital project.
- Partner with Engineering on design reviews, operability assessments, hazard analyses, commissioning plans, and project schedules.
- Develop and implement operating procedures, training materials, staffing readiness, and control strategies for the upgraded recausticizing system.
- Support daily Pulp Mill operations to consistently meet safety, environmental, quality, cost, and production goals.
- Provide technical leadership for process improvements throughout the Brownstock Cook/Washing/Screening systems and the white liquor cycle.
- Ensure chemical balance control and inventory processes are optimized during project construction and commissioning.
- Assist with scheduling and execution of routine and planned maintenance outages.
- Drive strong safety performance, housekeeping standards, and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
- Support front‑line supervisors with troubleshooting, documentation, and workflow improvements.
- Foster strong relationships across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Environmental teams.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:
REQUIRED:
- 5–10 years of supervisory, technical, or operational leadership experience; pulp or chemical recovery preferred.
- Strong technical knowledge of recausticizing, white liquor production, digester operations, washing, and screening systems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead major capital projects including commissioning and startup readiness.
- Proven leadership, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and operational data systems such as PI, Capstone, or equivalent.
DESIRED:
- 10 years of pulp or paper mill leadership experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Technology, or related technical discipline.
- Advanced training or experience in project management or reliability improvement.
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