First Line Leader – Shipping and Secondary Fibers (OCC/ Recycle)

Position Title:

First Line Leader – Shipping and Secondary Fibers (OCC/ Recycle)

Pay Rate:

$82,500 – 110,000

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Category/Shift:

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location:

Prattville Mill

The Finished Products First Line Leader (FLL) – Shipping and Secondary Fibers/OCC/Recycle provides first‑level leadership to hourly employees responsible for trailer loading, rail loading, staging, warehouse flow, outbound shipment execution, inbound fiber management, and unit operations for an Old Corrugated Containerboard (OCC) Plant. This role oversees approximately 15–20 hourly union employees on a rotating shift schedule. The FLL is accountable for safety, production execution, inventory control, labor management, employee development, and communication across shifts.

This position focuses exclusively on Shipping operations and Secondary Fiber Operations and does not include responsibilities for Paper.

The Job You Will Perform:

• Promote and enforce all safety procedures and policies.

• Lead or support incident investigations and ensure corrective actions.

• Conduct routine safety audits, including housekeeping checks and dock/warehouse safety inspections.

• Ensure compliance with lockout/tagout procedures for Shipping & Secondary Fibers-related work.

Daily Operations Management

• Lead the Shipping & Secondary Fibers crew, ensuring all roles (shippers, loaders, strappers, operators, contractor support) are properly staffed and executing their tasks.

• Review previous shift performance and ensure a thorough shift‑to‑shift handoff.

• Oversee vehicle (rail and trailer) loading performance against daily targets.

• Monitor warehouse flow, staging levels, trailer/rail assignment accuracy, production rates, stock consistency, and other key performance indicators.

• Communicate priorities to loaders, operators, strappers, and contractors to maintain efficient operations.

• Monitor loading/unloading progress and OCC production throughout the shift and make adjustments to labor or equipment as needed.

• Practice effective resolution solutions with a variety of internal and external customers, including over the road truck drivers and contractors.

• Resolve operational barriers by coordinating with Traffic/Transportation/Logistics, Corporate Support, Contractors and Logistics stakeholders.

• Manage Shipping inventory controls, including staging verification, trailer accuracy, scan compliance, and bay integrity.

• Review key shipment and inventory metrics and make adjustments as needed.

• Validate transportation assignments and inventory accuracy in coordination with shipping personnel.

• Conduct routine warehouse bay audits to identify misplaced or unscanned rolls.

• Review electronic reports daily and drive timely resolution.

Quality & Performance Management

• Address loading quality issues with employees and ensure loads meet customer and mill standards.

• Hold crew members accountable for following standard loading, unloading, production, scanning, and housekeeping procedures.

• Provide coaching, conduct One‑to‑Ones, and complete required performance documentation, attendance reports, and new hire evaluations.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Complete daily timekeeping entries and ensure time approval deadlines are met.

• Maintain accurate and timely shift documentation, notes, and reports to management.

• Send required daily communication to corporate partners and contractors

The Skills You Will Bring:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in Shipping, Secondary Fibers, or related warehouse/logistics/manufacturing operations.

• Proven leadership ability to direct, coach, and hold hourly employees accountable.

• Strong ownership, urgency, and adaptability in fast‑changing conditions.

• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing and problem‑solving methods.

• Effective communicator who builds trust and teamwork across crews and departments.

• Preferred: technical skills with mill systems (inventory, reporting tools, data historian, DCS, SAP, PowerBI).

• Preferred degree in Chemical, Paper, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; equivalent experience accepted.

• Required: availability for extended/short‑notice hours, visible leadership, and lean manufacturing knowledge.

• Preferred: advanced knowledge in papermaking, PI/PARCView, mill procurement, and manufacturing work systems.

• Strong interpersonal skills to foster trust, respect, and collaboration with both hourly and salaried teams