This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced operations leader with strong technical and supervisory capability to step into a high-impact role supporting the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of a critical department within the mill. The successful candidate will work closely with mill leadership, operations, procurement, maintenance, and other internal partners to strengthen production performance, support continuous improvement, and ensure the consistent delivery of quality stock to meet production needs.
The Company:
Strathcona Paper (https://onepaperworks.com/) is North America’s only paper board company dedicated exclusively to the manufacture and supply of medium to heavy-weight paper board. The company has grown to become the box board of choice for North America’s largest consumer brands. Strathcona Paper is a subsidiary of PaperWorks Industries, Inc. which has 8 facilities across North America.
The Position:
The Process Engineering Supervisor is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the Stock Preparation Department, including the Beater Room and related process activities. The role is accountable for ensuring that all stock supplied to the Board/Paper Machine is of the appropriate mix, standard, and quantity required to meet production needs while supporting safe operations, product quality, cost control, and departmental reliability.
Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Process Engineering Supervisor provides day-to-day leadership to operating personnel, supports production planning, troubleshoots process issues, manages budgets and projects, and works across departments to improve performance, maintain compliance, and support ongoing operational excellence.
Why Work with Us?
· Work in a collaborative mill environment with close interaction across operations and support functions
· Salary range $122,000 - $152,000
· Bonus Plan
· Benefit Plan
· DC pension matching
· Opportunity to apply your expertise to many challenging projects
· Contribute to continuous improvement, process optimization, capital planning, and special projects
· Apply your expertise in a role with broad scope, responsibility, and visibility
Principal Responsibilities:
- Oversee and manage the Stock Preparation Department to ensure all activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable legislation, regulatory standards, and company requirements.
- Ensure that stock prepared in the Beater Room meets required production standards for mix, temperature, freeness, consistency, finish, and overall suitability for board/paper production.
- Work closely with production leadership to determine appropriate stock mixes and direct staff on materials, process requirements, and operating priorities.
- Troubleshoot immediate process or quality issues by reviewing product outcomes, machine performance, testing results, analysis reports, and by directing timely corrective action.
- Support raw material quality control by evaluating incoming fibre and materials, monitoring contaminant levels, and helping to assess supplier performance and material suitability.
- Work with Procurement to help ensure the timely availability of appropriate raw materials and to support purchasing decisions based on quality, service, and cost considerations.
- Provide technical input to internal stakeholders, including support for product development initiatives, process trials, and, where required, technical support to commercial teams and customers.
- Ensure equipment and machinery are operating safely and effectively by monitoring condition, identifying maintenance needs, initiating work orders, and participating in equipment trials or improvements.
- Develop, update, and implement operational procedures for safety, confined space entry, testing, logging, and department operating practices, and ensure employees are trained accordingly.
- Lead special projects, planned shutdown work, and test runs by allocating appropriate personnel, coordinating activities, and monitoring execution and results.
- Provide input into annual operating and capital budgets, monitor departmental spending, explain variances, and submit expenditure requests as required.
- Perform supervisory and people leadership responsibilities including training, performance management, conflict resolution, employee development, hiring support, and promotion recommendations.
- Promote compliance with environmental procedures and support the company's environmental objectives within the area of responsibility.
Scope of Responsibility:
- Reports to the Operations Manager.
- Directly supervises 4 Lead Hands and is responsible for (13) hourly employees.
- Ensures that equipment, materials, and departmental practices meet applicable safety, environmental, and legislative requirements.
- Monitors production, material usage, departmental expenditures, and identifies opportunities for cost savings and performance improvement.
- Maintains accountability for stock quality and consistency, recognizing that failure to meet standards can negatively affect productivity, uptime, quality, and cost.
Experience/Qualifications
· A university degree in Industrial, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
· A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
· Strong understanding of papermaking processes, stock preparation systems, equipment, chemicals, fibres, and the interrelationship of production variables would be desirable.
· Experience troubleshooting process issues using testing, analysis, and operating data to support decision-making and corrective action.
· Knowledge of instrumentation, process loops, mechanical technology, computer systems, and database management tools.
· Working knowledge of health and safety requirements, employment and labour practices, environmental responsibilities, and operational compliance standards within a manufacturing setting.
· Strong planning, budgeting, organizational, communication, and team leadership skills.
· Demonstrated ability to lead people, coordinate cross-functional work, and drive safe, practical, solutions-focused operational performance.
Working Environment
This position is performed in the mill and outdoors on mill property, during daytime hours and some evenings and/or nights as operational needs require. The work environment may be consistently loud, dirty, and physically demanding, with exposure to heat during summer months, cold seasonal conditions, odours associated with the pulper area, elevated platforms, stairs, and confined spaces. The incumbent must be available for call-in coverage, shutdown project work during statutory holidays, emergency situations, and regular overtime associated with the role.
If you feel that you have the necessary qualifications for this role, please forward your resume for consideration.
Please note that accommodation for job applicants with disabilities is available during the assessment process upon request. Artificial intelligence may be employed in evaluating candidate qualifications.
We thank all who apply, however only those most closely matching these requirements will be contacted for an interview. Please do not contact the company directly.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $122,000.00-$152,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Flexible language requirement:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Greater Napanee, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Experience:
- paper manufacturing: 3 years (preferred)
- manufacturing operations: 5 years (required)
- supervisory: 2 years (required)
Language:
- Excellent English (required)
Work Location: In person
