Lean Specialist, Lean Transformation Center of Excellence

At Sylvamo, we're a team on a mission. Joining us, you'll be helping to sustain forests and renew ecosystems, while delivering on the promise of paper to educate, communicate and entertain the world.

Come grow with us!

Lean Specialist, Lean Transformation Center of Excellence: PG (commensurate with experience)

Position Summary

Provides deep subject matter expertise in applying LEAN principles to manufacturing/business processes, specifically pulp and paper manufacturing, chemical recovery, and tissue/towel machine operations. Serves as the technical LEAN coach for improvement across all sites during the critical launch phase, ensuring that LEAN tools are adapted appropriately for process industries where traditional discrete-manufacturing Lean approaches (e.g., one-piece flow, takt time) require modification. This newly designed role helps realize the Lean Transformation implementation strategy and accelerate implementation companywide over the next 12-18 months, supporting key aspects of the transformation including communication and change management efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop LEAN application guides specific to continuous processes: paper machines, pulp digesters, chemical recovery systems, and associated processes
• Adapt traditional LEAN tools (Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, SMED) for continuous process environments where changeovers, grade changes, and startup/shutdown sequences are the primary improvement targets
• Lead kaizen events focused on machine efficiency (OEE), grade change optimization, broke/waste reduction, energy consumption, and chemical usage optimization
• Provide coaching across Lean methodologies to drive rapid improvement and rapidly upskill the existing base of Lean practitioners
• Coach Site CI Managers on the technical nuances of applying LEAN in continuous process environments
• Develop standard work documentation for critical continuous process operations (machine starts, grade changes, shutdown procedures)
• Partner with other LEAN Specialists/Coaches to ensure seamless value stream integration between continuous (papermaking) and discrete (converting) operations
• Transfer knowledge to site CI teams through structured coaching, documented methodologies, and co-facilitation of kaizen events
• Support integration of LEAN with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) for paper machines and converting equipment

Required Skills and Knowledge

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

10+ years of experience in continuous process manufacturing, with a minimum of 5 years in LEAN/CI roles within process industries

Strong knowledge of Lean methodology across the entire value stream from forest to customer, with the ability to lead, listen, learn, empower others, act with urgency, and deliver results

• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with demonstrated expertise in process industry applications preferred
• Deep knowledge of paper manufacturing processes: pulping, papermaking, chemical recovery, tissue/towel, and converting
• Experience with OEE improvement, SMED for grade changes, and statistical process control in continuous environments

Travel Requirements

Willingness to travel extensively (60-80%) during the 2-year assignment

Competency

Safe and Well

Courageous

Humble

Self-aware

Development-minded

Inclusive and Collaborative

Team-oriented

Business Savvy

Customer Focused

Operationally Excellent

Sylvamo partners with you and your family on your health and wellness journey. We offer a premium suite of health and wellness programs for you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and a generous 401(k) plan with matching company contributions, and more. Sylvamo is here for all stages of life. We also offer paid time off and paid holidays per year.

The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Sylvamo 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.