Operations Manager Papermaking
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 11, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 6, 2026. Essity scores B on the Alion truth index.
Operations Manager
Who We Are
Essity is a global leader in health and hygiene headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with a North American headquarters located in Philadelphia, PA. We are a multi-billion-dollar company with a purpose to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, care givers, and customers across the globe. We do this through innovations in our Professional Hygiene, Personal Care, and Health & Medical business units that provide hygiene and health solutions to over a billion people every day worldwide.
Working at Essity is more than a career, it is where you will play your part in a better future, to improve well-being for people and have opportunities to drive positive change for society and the environment. As an employee at Essity, you will belong to a team where you feel valued, are safe, supported to grow and challenged to generate business results in a friendly and open atmosphere.
About the Role
The Essity Professional Hygiene North America organization is currently searching for an Operations Manager for our manufacturing site in Cherokee, AL. Our intent is to develop an organization and operation capable to deliver world class results and this role is a step towards this commitment.
The Operations Manager will be responsible for performance results of our papermaking operation. The Operations Manager will provide direction and be accountable for Continuous Improvement of business operations with utmost priority on safety and quality; drive operator development, performance improvement and accountability; manage and develop staff; develops and manages successful safety performance for all employees. Additionally, incumbent grows and maintains production volumes to support regional and divisional needs, develops and implements strategies to improve Mill performance, and supports the core continuous improvement principals of: Safety, Quality, Capabilities Development, Manufacturing Performance; manage material and energy savings, production cost and strategy to support business needs. The Operations manager will report to the Site Leader.
We're looking for people who embody our values, aren't afraid to challenge, innovate, experiment, and move at a fast pace. We're always looking for ways to improve our products and ourselves. If this is you, we'd love to talk.
What You Will Do
- Responsible for the continuous improvement of safety performance in the facility, including all employees, visitors and contractors;
- Formulates and implements manufacturing policies and programs that guide the facility in improving its competitive position and the profitability of the operation;
- Works with Human Resources to develop training and development plans for all employees;
- Facilitates the career growth of subordinates, making them more effective leaders and managers;
- Develops the manufacturing plan and establish procedures for maintaining high standards of manufacturing operations to ensure that products conform to established customer and company quality standards;
- Assists Operation Director in the development and formulation of long and short-range planning, policies, programs and objectives to improve business performance;
- Plans for new production capacity and ability to respond to continual business growth;
- Keeps up-to-date on information and technology affecting functional area(s) to increase innovation and ensure compliance;
- Responsible to sponsor and lead projects, efficient application of capital spending that supports process improvement initiatives. In addition, plans for organizational change initiatives and develops, monitors, and coordinates internal and external resources in support of projects;
- Responsible for the development of the employee relations at the facility in accordance with the company’s principles and strategic partnerships; leadership role to drive trust and partnership with site labor.
- Be a Role Model for the implementation of overall Continuous Improvement plans and activities;
- Develops partnership with Site Controller to understand and drive financial impact;
- Partners with Health & Safety and Environmental resources to continually improve Tissue Converting manufacturing area.
Who You Are
- Bachelor’s degree in Paper Science, Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or significant experience and leadership within our industry;
- Five (5) years of production leadership experience required;
- Knowledge and demonstrable experience of applying and implementing TPM processes required;
- Problem solving and root cause analysis skills are a must;
- Papermaking experience required;
- Ability to build relationships and communicate on the shop floor with operators and engineers is essential.
- Strong sense of urgency will be needed;
- Strong communication, scheduling and organizing skills;
- Proven ability in managing others as well as influencing and building partnerships;
- Ability to lead teams through change and improvement;
- Ability to work and communicate with outside resources: OEM representatives, vendors, contractors, service companies;
- Personal computer skills, especially Maintenance Management software, e.g. Passport, Excel, Word, Outlook.
What We Can Offer You
At Essity, we believe every career is as unique as the individual and empower employees to reach their full potential in a winning culture motivated by a powerful purpose.
Compensation and Benefits:
Expected Compensation:
Competitive annual salary + annual incentive bonus benefits.
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors such as knowledge, skills, and experience.
Along with competitive pay you will be eligible for the following benefits:
- United Healthcare PPO / EyeMed Vision Insurance / Delta Dental Insurance;
- Wellness program provided through Rally;
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA);
- 401(k) with employer match and annual employer base contribution;
- Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance;
- Employee Assistance Program;
- PTO offering with Paid Holidays;
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance;
- Employee discounts program;
- Scholarship program for children of Essity employees.
Additional Information
The Company is committed to equalemployment opportunity and providingreasonable accommodations to qualifiedcandidates and employees pursuant toapplicable law. We value and encouragediversity and solicit applications from allqualified applicants without regard to race,color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed,national origin, ancestry, citizenship, maritalstatus, sexual orientation, physical or mentaldisability, medical condition, military andveteran status, gender identity or expression,genetic information, or any othercharacteristic protected by federal, state, orlocal law.
If you require reasonableaccommodation as part of the applicationprocessplease contact [email protected]
Together, we are improving lives, every day
Working at Essity is not just a career; it is a chance to directly make the world a healthier, more hygienic and safer place. With impactful innovations coupled with sustainable solutions, we strive to reach more people every year with the necessary and essential solutions for well-being.