Job Title: Converting Shift Lead
Department: Plant Operations - Converting
Reports to: Shift Supervisor
Location: Sturtevant WI
Job Title: Converting Shift Lead
Department: Plant Operations - Converting
Reports to: Shift Supervisor
Location: Sturtevant WI
Position Summary: The Converting Lead directs the day-to-day activities of the converting department crew on an assigned shift, ensuring safe, efficient, and quality operation of Flexo Folder Gluer (FFG), Rotary Die Cutter (RDC), and other converting machine centers. The Converting Lead acts as the on-floor point of accountability between the Converting Supervisor and machine operators, coordinating crewing, changeovers, production flow, and order priorities while reinforcing safety and quality standards on every shift.
Compensation
The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At ND Paper, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
About Us
ND Paper is a leading manufacturer of high-quality pulp, paper, and packaging products in the United States, generating over half a billion dollars in annual sales. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited - the largest containerboard producer in the world - ND Paper is part of a global network committed to excellence and innovation. With two integrated pulp and paper mills in Rumford, Maine and Biron, Wisconsin, a packaging plant in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and two sheeting facilities in Langhorne, Pennsylvania and Fairmont, West Virginia, the ND Paper family produces nearly one million tons of products annually. Our 1,100 dedicated employees are the heart of our operations, and we are committed to fostering positive work environments where individuals can advance and thrive. At ND Paper, we are investing in our future, and that starts with our staff.
Key Responsibilities & Expected Results:
Shift Leadership & Crewing
- Lead pre-shift huddle: communicate production schedule, priorities, safety focus, and quality alerts to the crew.
- Assign and balance crew across machine centers based on skill, order mix, and staffing levels.
- Monitor attendance and coordinate coverage for breaks, absences, and call-offs.
- Serve as first point of escalation for operator questions, downtime issues, and crew conflicts before involving the Supervisor.
Production & Schedule Execution
- Execute the daily production schedule across FFG, RDC, and other assigned machine centers, sequencing jobs to minimize changeover time.
- Monitor run rates, waste, and machine center output against targets; escalate deviations to the Supervisor.
- Coordinate with the corrugator lead and scheduling to ensure board availability aligns with converting demand.
- Track order status and communicate schedule risks (late starts, machine downtime, material shortages) proactively.
Quality
- Verify first-piece and in-process quality checks are completed and documented at each machine center.
- Hold crew accountable to job specifications, board grade, print registration, and score/cut standards.
- Initiate hold procedures on suspect product and notify Quality/Supervisor of nonconformances.
Safety
- Reinforce PPE use, lockout/tagout, and machine guarding compliance across the shift.
- Conduct or support area safety walks and address at-risk behaviors or conditions in real time.
- Ensure incidents and near-misses are reported immediately per plant policy.
Training & Development
- Support onboarding and cross-training of 2nd Assistants, 1st Assistants, and Operators using established training plans.
- Provide hands-on coaching at the machine center and give feedback to the Supervisor on crew progression.
Administration
- Complete shift handoff, downtime, and production reporting accurately and on time.
- Maintain 5S and housekeeping standards across converting machine centers.
Qualifications and Skills /Education and Experience
- 2+ years of experience operating an FFG, RDC, or comparable converting machine center in a corrugated or packaging environment; prior lead or informal leadership experience preferred.
- Working knowledge of converting machine setup, changeover, and troubleshooting.
- Ability to read and interpret job tickets, die layouts, and production schedules.
- Basic math and measurement skills sufficient for quality checks and waste tracking.
- Clear verbal communication skills; ability to direct a crew and communicate across shifts.
- Bilingual in Mandarin a plus
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach for the duration of a shift in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and work near moving machinery, forklifts, and material handling equipment.
- Exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variation typical of a converting/plant floor environment.
Working Conditions
This position operates on the converting floor of the plant, working in close proximity to running machinery for the majority of the shift. Required PPE includes safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toe footwear; additional PPE as required by task.
Attributes for Success
- Hard work - tackle each task with determination, passion and creativity; the willingness to put in whatever effort is required to successfully complete the job at hand.
- Pursuit of Excellence - strive to consistently exceed expectations in our day-to-day work and outperform our competitors in the marketplace, regarding work and company achievements as a collaborative goal with the desire to go above and beyond.
- Integrity - treat the company and teammates with upmost respect, operating on strong moral codes to drive company values and culture.
- Sense of Urgency - drive forward each day with speed, agility, and flexibility to capture unrealized opportunities and avoid potential risks for the business.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit - act like an owner, challenging the status quo, asking the right questions, and actively seeking ways to innovate and improve.
- Adaptability - be fluid with ND Paper's continuous evolution while driving change in a fast-paced environment, equipped with the ability to acclimate quickly.
- Servant Leadership - set an example by implementing meaningful leadership with heart, empathy, foresight and stewardship.
ND Paper Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, hospital indemnity, and critical illness for you and your family.
- Financial protection benefits, including life insurance, disability insurance, and business travel accident insurance.
- Tax advantaged accounts such as Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
- Paid holidays, personal days, and vacation days to support work-life balance.
- A 401K retirement plan with a company match and annual fixed contribution
- Wellness programs with incentives and an on-site clinic available at our Rumford and Biron location.
Enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and paid time off. Discover more about our benefits and how we support our team by visiting 2025 Benefits. Come be a part of our team and grow with us!
Apply
Please submit your resume, and salary requirements to https://us.ndpaper.com/careers
No unsolicited resumes - ND Paper does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume you submit to us will immediately become the property of ND Paper. If you would like to become a recruiter for ND Paper, please contact us and we will agree in writing to terms and the specific job roles for which you are authorized to recruit.