Production Manager

SUMMARY

The Production Manager will oversee all production operations for a tissue and molded-pulp paper mill in Rockingham, North Carolina. This is a mill-side leadership position responsible for the complete paper manufacturing process—not a converting operation.

Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, the Production Manager will serve as the facility’s second-highest operational leader and provide hands-on direction across day-to-day production. This individual will lead approximately five to six direct reports and play a critical role in improving safety, productivity, cost performance, equipment reliability, and overall operational results.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive paper mill production experience, strong electrical knowledge, and a demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams in a hands-on manufacturing environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead day-to-day production activities across the entire paper mill, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operations.
• Oversee the complete mill-side manufacturing process for tissue and molded-pulp products.
• Directly manage approximately five to six team members, potentially including leaders within production, process, safety, and quality.
• Establish production priorities and ensure performance aligns with safety, quality, productivity, cost, and customer-service objectives.
• Provide visible, hands-on leadership throughout the facility and maintain a strong presence on the production floor.
• Monitor production costs and identify opportunities to reduce expenses, improve efficiency, and minimize waste.
• Develop and implement cost-saving and operational-improvement initiatives.
• Analyze production data, operating metrics, equipment performance, and departmental results.
• Prepare and present production reports, performance updates, and recommendations to plant leadership.
• Partner with maintenance and technical teams to troubleshoot operational issues and improve equipment performance.
• Apply electrical knowledge to support troubleshooting, reliability, and continuous improvement across mill equipment and production systems.
• Identify production constraints, determine root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Develop, mentor, and hold production leaders accountable for safety, performance, and employee development.
• Promote collaboration among production, maintenance, engineering, safety, and quality functions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that increase throughput, improve product quality, and strengthen overall mill performance.
• Serve as a key member of the plant leadership team and support the Plant Manager in achieving the facility’s operational and financial objectives.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, Operations, or a closely related field is required.
• Paper manufacturing industry experience is required.
• Must have hands-on, mill-side production experience within a paper, tissue, pulp, or molded-pulp manufacturing facility.
• Candidates with only paper converting experience will not be considered.
• Strong electrical experience and aptitude are required, including knowledge of industrial electrical systems and production equipment.
• Minimum of five years of manufacturing leadership experience is required.
• Previous responsibility for at least three direct reports is required; experience leading five or more direct reports is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing day-to-day production in a heavy industrial manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of production costs, cost controls, performance metrics, and cost-reduction strategies.
• Proven ability to analyze operational data and prepare and present production reports.
• Demonstrated success improving safety, productivity, quality, equipment performance, and operating efficiency.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and root-cause-analysis capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, develop, and hold production teams accountable.
• Must be a hands-on and visible leader who is comfortable working directly with employees and equipment on the mill floor.
• Strong communication, organizational, decision-making, and cross-functional leadership skills.