Job Title: Corrugator Room Operator
Department: Corrugator
Reports to: Corrugator Superintendent
Location: Corrugator Control Room and Floor
Position Summary: The Control Room Operator (CR Operator) is the senior operator on the corrugator line and is responsible for the safe, efficient, and quality-compliant operation of the entire corrugator system. Operating from the control room console, the CR Operator controls line speed, order sequencing, waste management, and system-wide quality parameters while coordinating the work of the full corrugator crew across the wet end and dry end.
The CR Operator serves as the primary decision-maker on the line during each shift. When the Corrugator Superintendent is not present, the CR Operator is the highest-ranking production authority on the corrugator floor. This role requires deep technical mastery of the full corrugator system, strong situational awareness, and the ability to lead a crew under the time pressure of continuous high-speed production.
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:
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Demonstrate safety as a core value and establish a safe work environment by actively leading the safe execution of work.
Line Control & Order Management
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Operate the corrugator control console to manage line speed, tension, temperature profiles, and cutoff sequencing
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Execute the production schedule in order sequence, minimizing transition waste and maintaining schedule adherence
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Input and verify order parameters (board grade, caliper, flute, liner weights, sheet dimensions) at each order change
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Monitor and adjust all corrugator systems simultaneously: wet end temperatures, dry end belt pressure, cutoff timing, and stacker sequencing
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Make real-time decisions on speed, waste cuts, and order sequencing to optimize OEE and cost per MSF
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Identify and call waste cuts proactively when board quality falls outside specification — do not run defective board into converting
Board Quality Ownership
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Own board quality across the full corrugator run: caliper, flatness, bond, flute formation, and moisture
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Monitor caliper readings from the wet end through the dry end; direct crew adjustments when deviation is detected
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Diagnose root cause of quality defects (warp, delamination, washboarding, rib marking, soft spots) and direct corrective action
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Authorize or reject board at the dry end before it enters the converting queue; communicate quality holds to CS and scheduling
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Maintain quality log entries for each order: grade, caliper target vs. actual, waste %, and any defect events
Crew Coordination & Leadership
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Direct the corrugator crew on shift: assign tasks, coordinate splice timing, manage break rotation, and maintain crew coverage
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Communicate order changes, speed transitions, and quality adjustments to the Single Facer Operator and Double Backer Operator in advance
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Serve as the primary point of escalation for crew members during equipment issues, safety concerns, or quality problems
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Train and mentor Single Facer and Double Backer Operators; provide real-time coaching during production
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Lead the end-of-shift handoff briefing: communicate open issues, board quality status, equipment condition, and pending orders to the incoming CR Operator
Downtime Management
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Take immediate ownership of all corrugator downtime events: diagnose, coordinate response, and drive recovery
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Log every downtime event with cause code, duration, and corrective action taken — no unlogged downtime
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Distinguish between operator-correctable issues and maintenance-required repairs; escalate maintenance calls promptly
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Communicate estimated downtime duration and recovery plan to the Corrugator Superintendent and scheduling in real time
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Track shift downtime against targets; brief superintendent on any downtime pattern requiring systemic attention
Production Scheduling Interface
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Review the production schedule at the start of each shift: verify paper inventory, order sequence, and special requirements
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Flag scheduling conflicts (paper not on floor, incompatible order sequence, insufficient lead time) before production begins
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Communicate actual run rates, waste, and schedule deviations to scheduling and CS through established channels
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Coordinate with the paper room / material handler to ensure rolls are staged and sequenced correctly for the run
Safety Leadership
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Model and enforce all safety standards on the corrugator floor: LOTO, PPE, machine guarding, and housekeeping
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Conduct or participate in pre-shift safety briefings; address open safety items from the prior shift
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Stop any unsafe act immediately; document near-misses and incidents and report to the Shift Supervisor
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Ensure crew members follow LOTO procedures before any jam clearing or equipment access — no exceptions
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Maintain situational awareness of all crew positions relative to moving equipment at all times
Preventive Maintenance Coordination
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Complete the operator PM checklist at the start of each shift: belt condition, nip pressures, steam system, glue system, cutoff knives
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Log and escalate all equipment abnormalities discovered during PMs or production
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Coordinate with maintenance during scheduled PMs and corrugating roll changes to minimize downtime duration
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Track recurring equipment issues; bring pattern data to the Corrugator Superintendent's attention for root cause action
Documentation & Reporting
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Maintain the corrugator run log for each shift: orders run, MSF produced, waste %, downtime events, and quality notes
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Complete the operator checkout sheet at end of shift and review the incoming sheet at start of shift
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Submit accurate production data to the Corrugator Superintendent for OEE and cost-per-MSF reporting
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Document all board quality holds and dispositions; ensure traceability from corrugator run to converting order
Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)
The CR Operator is accountable for shift-level performance across the following metrics:
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Corrugator OEE — uptime %, performance %, and quality % for each shift operated
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Waste % — total corrugator waste as a percentage of gross MSF produced, trended by shift and operator
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Cost per MSF — contribution to plant cost target through speed, waste, and downtime management
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OTIF contribution — schedule adherence; orders completed on time and in full to converting queue
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Downtime logging compliance — 100% of downtime events logged with cause code and duration
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Quality hold rate — frequency of board quality holds or converting complaints attributable to corrugator run
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Safety — zero recordable incidents on shift; near-miss reporting rate maintained
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Crew development — demonstrated coaching and knowledge transfer to wet end operators
Corrugator Crew Interface
Role
CR Operator Responsibility
Corrugator Superintendent
Reports shift performance, quality issues, downtime events, and crew concerns; receives schedule and operational priorities
Single Facer Operator
Directs splice timing, speed adjustments, and glue/preheat changes; primary quality feedback upstream
Double Backer Operator
Coordinates order change setup; receives hot plate and glue direction; monitors dry-end board output together
Dry End / Stacker Crew
Directs stacking, labeling, and board staging; calls waste cuts and quality holds
Scheduling / CS
Communicates run status, quality holds, schedule deviations, and estimated completion times
Maintenance
Escalates equipment faults; coordinates planned and unplanned downtime response
Incoming CR Operator
Leads end-of-shift handoff: open issues, equipment status, board quality, pending orders
Qualifications and Skills (Performance Oriented)
Education and Experience
Required
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High school diploma or GED; associate degree or technical certification a plus
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Minimum 3–5 years of corrugator experience, with demonstrated proficiency at the single facer or double backer
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Comprehensive working knowledge of the full corrugator system: wet end, dry end, cutoff, and stacker
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Ability to read production schedules, run cards, and quality specifications and make real-time decisions based on them
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Demonstrated ability to lead a crew, communicate clearly under pressure, and de-escalate conflict
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Strong mechanical aptitude; ability to diagnose equipment issues and direct corrective action without maintenance support for common faults
Preferred
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Experience operating a corrugator control console (B&H, Fosber, Marquip, or equivalent)
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Familiarity with all corrugated flute profiles (A, B, C, E, F, BC, EB) and their quality and runability characteristics
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Experience reading and interpreting OEE data, waste reports, and cost-per-MSF metrics
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Prior experience training or mentoring operators in a production environment
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Understanding of starch-based glue chemistry and its interaction with medium moisture and temperature
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Bilingual in Mandarin/English/Spanish a plus
Physical Requirements
Extended periods at control console (standing or seated)
Continuously
Walking the corrugator floor to inspect equipment and crew
Frequently
Standing on concrete in high-heat, high-noise environment
Frequently
Lifting up to 50 lbs (paper samples, supplies)
Occasionally
Climbing stairs or platforms to access wet end and roll stands
Occasionally
Exposure to noise levels requiring hearing protection
Continuously
Success Profile/ Career Development
The CR Operator is the senior individual contributor on the corrugator line and the primary feeder role for corrugator leadership. Development paths include:
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Corrugator Superintendent — the natural next step for CR Operators who demonstrate consistent performance, crew development, and operational judgment
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Corrugator Mechanic / Technical Specialist — for operators with strong mechanical aptitude who wish to deepen equipment expertise
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Converting Superintendent / Production Supervisor — broader plant leadership for high-potential operators ready for cross-functional scope
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Training Lead — formalized responsibility for onboarding and qualifying new corrugator operators across the plant
Working Conditions
Plant Site
Attributes for Success
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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.
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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.
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Integrity - treat the company and teammates with upmost respect, operating on strong moral codes to drive company values and culture.
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Sense of Urgency – drive forward each day with speed, agility, and flexibility to capture unrealized opportunities and avoid potential risks for the business.
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Entrepreneurial Spirit – act like an owner, challenging the status quo, asking the right questions, and actively seeking ways to innovate and improve.
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Adaptability – be fluid with ND Paper’s continuous evolution while driving change in a fast-paced environment, equipped with the ability to acclimate quickly.
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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:
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, hospital indemnity, and critical illness for you and your family.
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Financial protection benefits, including life insurance, disability insurance, and business travel accident insurance.
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Tax advantaged accounts such as Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
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Paid holidays, personal days, and vacation days to support work-life balance.
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A 401K retirement plan with a company match and annual fixed contribution
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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
