Converting Shift Lead

Location: Sturtevant, WI

Hiring for all shifts: 1st shift 6 AM – 2 PM, 2nd shift 2 PM – 10 PM, 3rd shift 10 PM – 6 AM.

About the role

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 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.

Responsibilities

• Shift Leadership & Crewing: Lead pre‑shift huddle, communicate production schedule, priorities, safety focus, and quality alerts; assign and balance crew; monitor attendance and coordinate coverage; serve as first point of escalation for operator questions, downtime issues, and crew conflicts.
• Production & Schedule Execution: Execute daily production schedule across FFG, RDC, and other machine centers; sequence jobs to minimize changeover time; monitor run rates, waste, and output against targets; coordinate with corrugator lead and scheduling; track order status and communicate schedule risks.
• Quality: Verify first‑piece and in‑process quality checks; 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; conduct or support area safety walks; address at‑risk behaviors or conditions; ensure incidents and near‑misses are reported per plant policy.
• Training & Development: Support onboarding and cross‑training of assistants and operators; provide hands‑on coaching and feedback to Supervisor on crew progression.
• Administration: Complete shift handoff, downtime, and production reporting accurately; maintain 5S and housekeeping standards across converting machine centers.

Qualifications

• 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 for quality checks and waste tracking.
• Clear verbal communication skills; ability to direct a crew and communicate across shifts.
• Bilingual in Mandarin or Spanish a plus.

Physical requirements & working conditions

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach for the duration of a shift in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lb and work near moving machinery, forklifts, and material handling equipment.
• Exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variation typical of a converting/plant floor environment.
• Required PPE includes safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel‑toe footwear; additional PPE as required by task.
• Work performed on the converting floor in close proximity to running machinery for the majority of the shift.

Attributes for success

• Hard work – tackle each task with determination, passion, and creativity.
• Pursuit of excellence – consistently exceed expectations and outperform competitors.
• Integrity – treat the company and teammates with utmost respect and strong moral codes.
• Sense of urgency – drive forward each day with speed, agility, and flexibility.
• Entrepreneurial spirit – act like an owner, challenge the status quo, and seek innovation.
• Adaptability – thrive in ND Paper’s continuous evolution and fast‑paced environment.
• Servant leadership – lead with heart, empathy, foresight, and stewardship.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; voluntary accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness coverage for you and your family.
• Life insurance, disability insurance, and business travel accident insurance.
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Paid holidays, personal days, and vacation days.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and annual fixed contribution.
• Wellness programs with incentives and on‑site clinic at Rumford and Biron locations.
• Competitive salaries and comprehensive health benefits.