Technical Manager

Technical Manager PositionThe Technical Manager leads and develops the Quality, Shipping, and Technical teams at the West Point Mill, overseeing the Logistics Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, Mill Technical Service Manager, and a team of Process Engineers who support all operating departments. Key duties include overseeing and facilitating both proactive and reactive mill quality initiatives, ensuring the effective implementation of safety systems, and managing cost and reliability tracking tools to support manufacturing operations at West Point. The Technical Manager is also an integral member of the West Point Mill leadership team and provides direction for the Technical, Quality, and Shipping Departments, ensuring alignment with business needs across the mill and financial value. The Technical Manager assists in developing and prioritizing cost reduction projects with the Mill Black Belt or Process Improvement Manager, and helps advance return-generating capital project ideas from concept through approval submission. The guiding priorities for the Technical Manager and any employee at the West Point Mill, in order of importance, are safety, environmental stewardship, quality, and reliability/production.The Technical Manager will perform the following work functions:Oversee safe, efficient operations and ongoing improvement of Shipping, Quality, and Technical departments.Provide coaching and professional development to direct reports in the following areas:Safety leadershipEnsure understanding of and compliance with the mills quality management system in alignment with ISO standards.Process troubleshooting and analysisBase decisions on data-driven insightsWork with Operations teams to ensure all finished products meet customer specs, all rolls are produced and shipped as scheduled, and that quality issues in all departments are addressed.Responsible for quality control and product improvement activities for mill operations as well as the ISO/QMS program for the mill in coordination with the mill Quality Assurance Manager.3rd Party Fiber Certification Lead (Main Point of Contact) for the West Point MillDirect and drive Operational Excellence and cost take out (CTO) initiatives within the Technical Department and across the mill.Oversee the implementation and monitoring of daily KPIs, metrics, problem-solving activities, improvement systems, and the comprehensive management of mill projects.Direct and manage activities of the Technical Department consistent with the needs of mill leadership.Assist in establishing and driving mill objectives, priorities, and strategies through innovative tools, dashboards, or other means to drive data based decisions.Serve as a liaison from the mill to multiple corporate functions through various methodsLead coordination and management of onsite mill storage and use of supplemental white and brown fiber in bale or roll form.Serve as a member of the mill management team in setting both strategy and policy.Lead coordination of mill shut down and start up schedule development for major maintenance outages.Lead creation of fiber balance for mill major outage and upsetsResponsible for Mill Manager weekend duty for the entire West Point Mill site on a rotational schedule consisting of six to seven teams.Serve as a behavioral change agent responsible for promoting mill culture, including commitment to quality, and organizational effectiveness among all employee groups at this site.Required Qualifications:Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering and/or Pulp and Paper Science, or the equivalent of 10-15 years of pulp and paper industry experience.Must possess in-depth understanding of pulp and paper production in a fully integrated mill.Should have prior experience in Quality Systems Management, ISO systems, and Continuous Improvement or Lean manufacturing.Must possess skills in troubleshooting, data analysis methods, and creating sustainable solutions.Eligible to work in the United States.Preferred Qualifications:Lean Six Sigma Green Belt CertifiedLean Six Sigma Black Belt Certified5 years of experience in a fully integrated virgin paper mill2-3 years of managing and developing direct reportsProficient in JD Edwards, Oracle, Panther, C-ProRequired Competencies:Strong safety leaderStrong interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skillsWell-developed written and verbal communication skillsDrive and excellent work ethicMust be able to work with all levels within the organizationMust be able to effectively lead and influence teams that they do not have direct authority overMust be capable of handling multiple tasks and changing priorities frequentlyKeywords: Technical Manager, Technical Leader, quality, iso, continuous improvement, six sigma, green belt, black belt, cost reduction, process improvements, QMS, process troubleshooting, chemical engineering, paper mill, pulp mill, paper, pulp, liner, linerboard, white top, containerboard, Medium, kraft, kraft paper, Lean, data analysis, JDE Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.