Maintenance Improve Lead (MANSFIELD, LA, US, 71052)

The Maintenance Improve Lead at International Paper in Mansfield, LA, is responsible for enhancing asset reliability and executing maintenance strategies. This role involves leading engineering teams, ensuring safety compliance, fostering a culture of engagement, and driving operational excellence. Essential qualifications include a relevant engineering degree and over 10 years of experience in paper manufacturing. The position offers a salary range of $125,900 to $167,800.
What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference? At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer challenging assignments and total rewards in countries around the world. When we say infinite possibilities, we mean it. Apply now and join a community that improves people’s lives, the planet, and our company’s performance by transforming renewable resources into products people depend on every day.

Position Title:

Maintenance Improve Lead

Pay Rate:

$125,900 – $167,800

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:

Mansfield Mill

1202 Highway 509

Mansfield, LA 71104

318-872-5100

The Job You Will Perform:

The Maintenance Improve Lead is responsible for driving continuous improvement in asset reliability, facility preservation, and the execution of maintenance strategies. This role leads the Equipment Care Engineering teams, Predictive Group, and Reliability Engineers, ensuring that mill assets operate safely, legally, and efficiently.

The Maintenance Improve Lead champions the application of GMS Reliability Elements, fosters a culture of safety and engagement, and supports long-term capital planning and maintenance initiatives.

Essential Responsibilities:

Safety & Compliance
• Ensure all reliability personnel and contractors comply with mill safety policies and environmental regulations.
• Conduct safety observations, audits, and 5S initiatives to promote a safe work environment.
• Support jurisdictional compliance and interface with FM Global and other regulatory bodies.

People Leadership
• Lead, develop, and manage the reliability engineering team to meet mill objectives.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, engagement, and continuous learning.
• Oversee onboarding, training, and career development for reliability engineers.
• Maintain effective communication across mill teams to align on reliability goals.

Operational Excellence
• Drive execution of GMS Reliability Elements: PM, PdM, RCFA, EIP, Facility Preservation, and Precision Maintenance.
• Champion “Design for Reliability” in capital and maintenance projects.
• Ensure documentation, critical spares, and maintenance strategies are current and effective.
• Lead deliberate improvement initiatives and support the integration of new reliability technologies.

Strategic Planning & Budgeting
• Collaborate with Capital and Operations teams to develop and maintain a 5-year maintenance capital plan.
• Share responsibility for maintenance budget planning and cost control.
• Identify and update EPD and Facility Preservation budgets to support long-term reliability.

The Skills You Will Bring:
• A bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering is preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in operations, maintenance, and/or engineering within a paper manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of reliability principles and best practices.
• Proficient in CMMS systems and experienced in applying Lean tools, including Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Competencies:
• Influencing Others
• Motivating Others
• Action Oriented
• Managing and Measuring Work
• Organizing
• Drive for Results
• Command Skills

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:
• Paid time off including Vacation and Holidays
• Retirement and 401k Matching Program
• Medical & Dental
• Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement)
• Life & Disability Insurance

The Career You Will Build:
• Leadership training
• Promotional opportunities

The Impact You Will Make:

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 120 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.

The Culture You Will Experience:

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring, and inclusive workplaces. You will learn Safety Leadership Principles and have the opportunity to opt into Employee Networking Circles such as IPVets, IPride, Women in IP, and the African American ENC. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join:

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue, and other personal care products that promote health and wellness.

Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa, and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com.

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or receive other employment benefits, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or call (877) 973-3919.

Location: Mansfield, LA 71052