Paper Business Unit Manager

Position Profile
Position Title: Paper Business Unit Manager

The Opportunity:
This is a rare opportunity to step into a highly visible, business-critical leadership role at a moment of meaningful transformation. The Paper Business Unit Manager will lead two core paper machines at a large, integrated mill as the business transitions from mature graphic grades into growing packaging markets. With significant capital investment underway and a clear multi‑year strategy in place, this leader will play a central role in shaping how the mill evolves, how new products are commercialized, and how a new generation of leaders is developed.

The role combines strategic ownership with hands-on operational leadership. The incoming manager will guide teams through change, stabilize and optimize performance, and help convert major capital investments into sustainable results. This is not a turnaround from scratch, but rather an opportunity to take a strong operation and elevate it—moving from declining markets to growth markets while building long-term capability, engagement, and accountability.

The Company:
The company is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions, known for operational excellence, innovation, and a long-term ownership mindset. With deep roots internationally and a rapidly expanding North American footprint, the organization views North America as its primary growth platform. Recent strategic acquisitions have positioned the company to accelerate its shift into packaging while maintaining a leadership position in graphic and specialty papers.

The mill associated with this role is a cornerstone of that strategy. It is a large, integrated facility with a strong track record of performance, a skilled workforce, and active investment backing its future. The culture is grounded in two clear values: doing what the company says it will do, and caring for one another. These values show up in how leaders operate, how teams are developed, and how change is managed across the organization.

The Boss:
The Paper Business Unit Manager reports into senior operations leadership at the mill and works directly with experienced, long-tenured leaders who have deep institutional knowledge of the facility and the business. This role partners closely with the Operations Manager and other mill leaders who are highly engaged in both day-to-day performance and the long-term strategic direction of the site.

The leadership team is known for being accessible, pragmatic, and supportive, particularly as the mill navigates generational leadership change and a shift into new markets. Expectations are high, but support is equally strong. Leaders are hands-on, value transparency, and prioritize developing people from within. The manager in this role will be viewed as a key thought partner—someone trusted to make sound decisions, challenge constructively when needed, and help shape how the mill evolves over the next phase of its growth.

This role steps in at a time following planned retirements, meaning the incoming leader will have both autonomy and influence, while still benefiting from a leadership team that is invested in ensuring continuity, stability, and long-term success.

The Position:
The Paper Business Unit Manager is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the paper manufacturing area, including paper machines, coating, and finishing operations within scope. Initially, the role will oversee two major machines that currently produce graphic grades and are transitioning into packaging applications. The position carries full accountability for performance, people development, cost control, and operational excellence, while serving as a key leader in the mill’s broader transformation journey.

This role also serves as a mentor and stabilizing force for a relatively young leadership team, bringing experience, technical credibility, and practical leadership to the floor.

Essential Functions (Other duties may be assigned):

• Lead and promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all safety and environmental requirements
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the paper manufacturing area to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production
• Guide teams through capital upgrades, new grade development, and operational change
• Develop, coach, and engage area managers and their teams to build long-term capability and succession
• Partner with maintenance and engineering to plan outages, prioritize repairs, and support capital execution
• Manage operating budgets and contribute to long-term capital planning
• Support mill-wide manufacturing systems and continuous improvement initiatives
• Maintain effective labor relations and ensure adherence to contracts, policies, and work rules
• Provide hands-on leadership presence through routine floor engagement, inspections, and troubleshooting
• Serve in on-call and weekend leadership coverage as required

Qualifications:

• Proven leadership experience in a paper manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated ability to lead both hourly and salaried teams in a unionized setting
• Strong operational, technical, and business judgment
• Experience guiding organizations through change, growth, or market transition
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on problem solving

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent manufacturing experience
• Extensive experience in paper manufacturing operations
• Significant leadership experience with increasing scope and responsibility

Competencies:

• Safety leadership and accountability
• People development and team building
• Operational excellence and continuous improvement
• Decision making and problem solving
• Change leadership and adaptability
• Communication and collaboration
• Business and financial acumen

Work Environment:
This role is based in a large, integrated manufacturing facility with 24/7 operations. The environment requires regular presence on the production floor, interaction with union and management teams, and active engagement during outages, trials, and capital projects.

Compensation:
The company offers a competitive total rewards package consistent with the scope, responsibility, and impact of this leadership role.