Area Process Manager

Title: Area Process Manager - Fiber

Location: Columbus, MS

Job Type: FTE/Permanent

Position Overview

The position is responsible for overseeing the safety, environmental, reliability, and financial performance of the digester and brown stock area. Reporting directly to the Business Unit Manager - Fiberline, this position focuses on achieving operational excellence in manufacturing, production, and cost efficiencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion a safety-first culture and promote an injury-free work environment across all areas of influence.
• Lead efforts in safety, production, cost efficiency, reliability, and team engagement to meet or exceed performance targets.
• Apply manufacturing excellence (ME) tools and principles, total quality principles, and IP's Reliability Roadmap tools to drive operational excellence.
• Provide leadership and resources to foster high-performance teams and engagement.
• Support the implementation of manufacturing systems, including sustainability tools such as Trouble/Cause/Correction (TCC) and Centerlines.
• Help cultivate an organizational culture of empowerment, high involvement, and customer and quality focus.
• Lead total quality management processes to ensure the highest standards of production, customer satisfaction, and environmental compliance.
• Manage team members to minimize downtime and maintain quality, ensuring clear expectations and accountability.
• Participate in the budget and capital plan processes for the area.
• Lead cost improvement efforts year-over-year and support the implementation of associated projects.
• Guide team members in goal setting and performance management in alignment with company and mill direction.
• Coordinate daily operations between shift teams to optimize processes and prioritize maintenance activities.
• Ensure full compliance with 5S expectations (e.g., 5-minute checklists, replenishment of tools, and 5S audits).
• Understand and meet internal and external customer requirements.
• Provide leadership to team members, ensuring they are treated with respect and dignity.
• Ensure production, reliability, and quality targets for the digester and brown stock area are met.
• Provide technical expertise to resolve operational issues and implement sustainable solutions.
• Champion the implementation of capital projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Establish a culture of continuous improvement in the digester and brown stock area.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent experience in a manufacturing environment; experience in the pulp and paper industry is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing experience, with at least three (3) years in a leadership role.
• Knowledge of industrial safety and environmental procedures and regulations.
• Proficient in tracking and measuring performance using standard methods and tools.
• Strong ability to collaborate with peers and work well with others.
• Strong commitment to reliability and manufacturing excellence tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
  
  

Physical Demands/Working Environment

• Must be able to wear required safety equipment.
• Exposure to noise levels exceeding 90 dB.
• Heat in excess of 100°F at times.
• 24/7 work environment; ability to be on-call as needed.
• Ability to work on concrete surfaces and occasionally lift or move equipment/tools weighing up to 50 lbs.
  
  

Core Skills And Attributes

• Leadership and Team Development
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Managing Operations and Systems
• Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Commitment to Safety and Quality Standards
• Process Improvement and Performance Tracking.