Apply now »

Area Operations Manager - Utilities

Area Operations Manager - Utilities

Country:  United States
City:  Skowhegan
State:  Maine
Location:  Mill Somerset
Division: 
Posting date:  Jun 16, 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.

Sappi is seeking an experienced Area Operations Manager to support our Utilities Department in Somerset, Maine. This leadership role is responsible for driving safe, reliable, and efficient utility operations while supporting production goals, maintenance coordination, employee development, and continuous improvement initiatives within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

 

Key Responsibilities
• Responsible for Biomass boilers, Turbine generators, waters systems, electrical systems, and all other components integral to Utilities.
• Collaborate with all other areas of the mill to ensure customers needs are met and reliability / uptime goals are achievedLead and promote a strong safety culture through employee engagement, coaching, observations, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop and implement operational plans to meet production, reliability, and performance targets
• Coordinate maintenance activities and support outage/shutdown planning to ensure operational efficiency
• Monitor operational performance and develop action plans to address gaps and improve results
• Support budgeting, cost tracking, and resource planning activities
• Lead continuous improvement efforts including Lean Six Sigma initiatives and capital improvement projects
• Supervise and develop salaried staff through coaching, performance feedback, and career development support
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership teams to support mill objectives
• Provide leadership support and operational coverage as needed

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience preferred
• 3–5 years of leadership experience in manufacturing, utilities, power generation, pulp & paper, or related industrial environments
• Strong leadership, communication, and employee development skills
• Experience leading teams in a heavy industrial or manufacturing environment preferred
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational performance, continuous improvement, and safety initiatives
• Maine  1st Class Stationary Steam Engineer License required or ability to obtain

Why Join Sappi?
At Sappi, safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are at the center of everything we do. This is an opportunity to join a collaborative leadership team within a complex manufacturing operation where you can make a direct impact on employee development, operational reliability, and mill performance.

Sappi is seeking an experienced Area Operations Manager to support our Utilities Department in Somerset, Maine. This leadership role is responsible for driving safe, reliable, and efficient utility operations while supporting production goals, maintenance coordination, employee development, and continuous improvement initiatives within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

 

Key Responsibilities
• Responsible for Biomass boilers, Turbine generators, waters systems, electrical systems, and all other components integral to Utilities.
• Collaborate with all other areas of the mill to ensure customers needs are met and reliability / uptime goals are achievedLead and promote a strong safety culture through employee engagement, coaching, observations, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop and implement operational plans to meet production, reliability, and performance targets
• Coordinate maintenance activities and support outage/shutdown planning to ensure operational efficiency
• Monitor operational performance and develop action plans to address gaps and improve results
• Support budgeting, cost tracking, and resource planning activities
• Lead continuous improvement efforts including Lean Six Sigma initiatives and capital improvement projects
• Supervise and develop salaried staff through coaching, performance feedback, and career development support
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership teams to support mill objectives
• Provide leadership support and operational coverage as needed

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience preferred
• 3–5 years of leadership experience in manufacturing, utilities, power generation, pulp & paper, or related industrial environments
• Strong leadership, communication, and employee development skills
• Experience leading teams in a heavy industrial or manufacturing environment preferred
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational performance, continuous improvement, and safety initiatives
• Maine  1st Class Stationary Steam Engineer License required or ability to obtain

Why Join Sappi?
At Sappi, safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are at the center of everything we do. This is an opportunity to join a collaborative leadership team within a complex manufacturing operation where you can make a direct impact on employee development, operational reliability, and mill performance.

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

Apply now »