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Area Operations Manager - Paper Mill

Area Operations Manager - Paper Mill

Country:  United States
City:  Skowhegan
State:  Maine
Location:  Mill Somerset
Division:  Production
Posting date:  May 3, 2026

Sappi North America
Sappi Somerset, is one of the largest, most advanced and high performing mills in North America with one of the lowest mill emissions.  Our packaging papers are suited across a range of market segments including health and beauty, confectionery, premium beverages and food packaging. We manufacture labels for cans and jars and our graphic papers are used in direct mail, magazines and catalogs. Nearly $1 billion in the last decade has been invested to expand into sustainable and renewable SBS board grades for folding carton and foodservice, including the rebuilds of PM1 in 2018 and PM2, to be completed in 2025. The Somerset mill  focuses on safety, sustainability, quality, and innovation.

Sappi North America
Sappi Somerset, is one of the largest, most advanced and high performing mills in North America with one of the lowest mill emissions.  Our packaging papers are suited across a range of market segments including health and beauty, confectionery, premium beverages and food packaging. We manufacture labels for cans and jars and our graphic papers are used in direct mail, magazines and catalogs. Nearly $1 billion in the last decade has been invested to expand into sustainable and renewable SBS board grades for folding carton and foodservice, including the rebuilds of PM1 in 2018 and PM2, to be completed in 2025. The Somerset mill  focuses on safety, sustainability, quality, and innovation.

Area Operations Manager

The Area Operations Manager plays a critical role in the success of mill operations and is a key member of the mill leadership team. Reporting to the Business Unit Leader, this role provides leadership across paper mill operations, with a strong focus on safety, productivity, and continuous improvement while developing high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead productivity and continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable results
  • Implement and utilize systems to effectively manage performance, quality, and safety
  • Provide leadership coverage for operations as needed, including filling in for machine or area managers
  • Set clear expectations and hold teams accountable to safety, production, and quality standards
  • Lead, coach, and develop both hourly and salaried employees
  • Promote strong safety leadership and foster a culture of accountability and engagement
  • Collaborate effectively with peers and cross-functional partners across the mill

Required Skills & Qualifications

  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Proven ability to lead teams in a 24-hour, multi-crew manufacturing environment
  • Demonstrated success driving organizational effectiveness and developing talent
  • Ability to manage change and lead improvement initiatives
  • Strong computer and systems aptitude
  • Proven teamwork and collaboration skills within a paper mill or similar industrial setting
  • Strong commitment to safety leadership and continuous improvement

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent technical training and experience
  • 5+ years of experience in coated, wood-free paper manufacturing operations
  • Extensive operational experience including:
    • On-machine coating
    • On-machine calendering
    • Winder operations
  • Experience in large, high-speed coated paper operations preferred

Area Operations Manager

The Area Operations Manager plays a critical role in the success of mill operations and is a key member of the mill leadership team. Reporting to the Business Unit Leader, this role provides leadership across paper mill operations, with a strong focus on safety, productivity, and continuous improvement while developing high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead productivity and continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable results
  • Implement and utilize systems to effectively manage performance, quality, and safety
  • Provide leadership coverage for operations as needed, including filling in for machine or area managers
  • Set clear expectations and hold teams accountable to safety, production, and quality standards
  • Lead, coach, and develop both hourly and salaried employees
  • Promote strong safety leadership and foster a culture of accountability and engagement
  • Collaborate effectively with peers and cross-functional partners across the mill

Required Skills & Qualifications

  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Proven ability to lead teams in a 24-hour, multi-crew manufacturing environment
  • Demonstrated success driving organizational effectiveness and developing talent
  • Ability to manage change and lead improvement initiatives
  • Strong computer and systems aptitude
  • Proven teamwork and collaboration skills within a paper mill or similar industrial setting
  • Strong commitment to safety leadership and continuous improvement

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent technical training and experience
  • 5+ years of experience in coated, wood-free paper manufacturing operations
  • Extensive operational experience including:
    • On-machine coating
    • On-machine calendering
    • Winder operations
  • Experience in large, high-speed coated paper operations preferred

Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.

Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.

Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ABOUT SAPPI

Sappi is a leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can.

HR Contact for Questions:
Name:  Brienne Hayes
Email:  brienne.hayes@sappi.com
Telephone number:  2072383226

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