Pulp Mill Assistant Technical Superintendent
WestRock Company, Hopewell, VA, United States
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 integrity, respect, accountability and excellence,
we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based
packaging forward.
The Opportunity The Pulp Mill Technical Assistant Superintendent provides technical, operational, and leadership support for the Hopewell Pulp Mill. The primary responsibility for this role is serving as the operational lead for a $25MM+ capital project to modernize the recausticizing area, including integration planning, commissioning readiness, and operational implementation.
In this role, you will work closely with Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance to ensure the project meets safety, quality, cost, and performance expectations while sustaining reliable day‑to‑day mill operations. This position also supports ongoing optimization efforts across cooking, washing, screening, and all associated Pulp Mill processes.
How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock
Lead operational planning, integration, and startup preparation for the recausticizing modernization capital project.
Partner with Engineering on design reviews, operability assessments, hazard analyses, commissioning plans, and project schedules.
Develop and implement operating procedures, training materials, staffing readiness, and control strategies for the upgraded recausticizing system.
Support daily Pulp Mill operations to consistently meet safety, environmental, quality, cost, and production goals.
Provide technical leadership for process improvements throughout the Brownstock Cook/Washing/Screening systems and the white liquor cycle.
Ensure chemical balance control and inventory processes are optimized during project construction and commissioning.
Assist with scheduling and execution of routine and planned maintenance outages.
Drive strong safety performance, housekeeping standards, and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Support front‑line supervisors with troubleshooting, documentation, and workflow improvements.
Foster strong relationships across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Environmental teams.
Required
5–10 years of supervisory, technical, or operational leadership experience; pulp or chemical recovery preferred.
Strong technical knowledge of recausticizing, white liquor production, digester operations, washing, and screening systems.
Demonstrated ability to lead major capital projects including commissioning and startup readiness.
Proven leadership, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and operational data systems such as PI, Capstone, or equivalent.
Desired
10+ years of pulp or paper mill leadership experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Technology, or related technical discipline.
Advanced training or experience in project management or reliability improvement.
Keywords: assistant pulp mill superintendent, pulp mill superintendent, pulp superintendent, assistant pulp superintendent, pulp mill manager, pulp mill assistant superintendent, shift operations manager, area manager, area process manager, pulp operations manager, process manager, assistant superintendent, pulp mill, pulp dryer superintendent, wet end superintendent, pulp mill omc, OMC, brownstock, assistant manager, pulp, virgin pulp, fiberline, fiber line, PSM, digester, digesters, wash line, recausticizing, recaust, wash lines, recycle pulp.
Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.
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.
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The Opportunity The Pulp Mill Technical Assistant Superintendent provides technical, operational, and leadership support for the Hopewell Pulp Mill. The primary responsibility for this role is serving as the operational lead for a $25MM+ capital project to modernize the recausticizing area, including integration planning, commissioning readiness, and operational implementation.
In this role, you will work closely with Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance to ensure the project meets safety, quality, cost, and performance expectations while sustaining reliable day‑to‑day mill operations. This position also supports ongoing optimization efforts across cooking, washing, screening, and all associated Pulp Mill processes.
How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock
Lead operational planning, integration, and startup preparation for the recausticizing modernization capital project.
Partner with Engineering on design reviews, operability assessments, hazard analyses, commissioning plans, and project schedules.
Develop and implement operating procedures, training materials, staffing readiness, and control strategies for the upgraded recausticizing system.
Support daily Pulp Mill operations to consistently meet safety, environmental, quality, cost, and production goals.
Provide technical leadership for process improvements throughout the Brownstock Cook/Washing/Screening systems and the white liquor cycle.
Ensure chemical balance control and inventory processes are optimized during project construction and commissioning.
Assist with scheduling and execution of routine and planned maintenance outages.
Drive strong safety performance, housekeeping standards, and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Support front‑line supervisors with troubleshooting, documentation, and workflow improvements.
Foster strong relationships across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Environmental teams.
Required
5–10 years of supervisory, technical, or operational leadership experience; pulp or chemical recovery preferred.
Strong technical knowledge of recausticizing, white liquor production, digester operations, washing, and screening systems.
Demonstrated ability to lead major capital projects including commissioning and startup readiness.
Proven leadership, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and operational data systems such as PI, Capstone, or equivalent.
Desired
10+ years of pulp or paper mill leadership experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Technology, or related technical discipline.
Advanced training or experience in project management or reliability improvement.
Keywords: assistant pulp mill superintendent, pulp mill superintendent, pulp superintendent, assistant pulp superintendent, pulp mill manager, pulp mill assistant superintendent, shift operations manager, area manager, area process manager, pulp operations manager, process manager, assistant superintendent, pulp mill, pulp dryer superintendent, wet end superintendent, pulp mill omc, OMC, brownstock, assistant manager, pulp, virgin pulp, fiberline, fiber line, PSM, digester, digesters, wash line, recausticizing, recaust, wash lines, recycle pulp.
Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.
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.
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