OCC Manager

A fantastic opportunity for an experienced OCC Manager to work for the market leading papermill in the UK and Europe.
 
BASIC SALARY: Highly Competitive Salary
 
BENEFITS:
· Pension
· Executive Benefits
· Mobile
 
LOCATION: Chester
 
COMMUTABLE LOCATIONS: Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Stoke, London, Swansea, Edinburgh
 
JOB DESCRIPTION: OCC Manager, Operational Excellence Manager, Operations Manager - Papermill, Pulp, Corrugated
 
This OCC Manager is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of their newly commissioned, state-of-the-art Valmet OCC (old corrugated containers) recycling plant. This facility processes 100% recycled fibre to supply stock for the high-capacity PM3 containerboard line.
 
As the OCC Manager, you will lead a high-performing operations team, driving continuous improvement in fibre yield, safety, pulp quality, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: OCC Manager, Operational Excellence Manager, Operations Manager - Papermill, Pulp, Corrugated
 
As our OCC Manager, you will:
 
· Manage the day-to-day operations of the entire OCC plant, including the bale feeding systems, pulping, screening, cleaning, and refining stages.
· Ensure a reliable supply of high-quality recycled fibre stock that meets the strict technical specifications required by the PM3 board machine.
· Monitor process parameters (e.g., consistency, freeness, reject rates) to maximise fibre yield and minimise chemical and energy consumption.
· Enforce an uncompromisable safety culture, ensuring complete compliance with UK health and safety regulations (including HASAWA, COSHH, and PUWER).
· Oversee reject handling and water loops in the OCC area to support the mill's "near-zero effluent" environmental targets.  
· Lead, mentor, and upskill a dedicated team of OCC shift supervisors, process operators, and general operatives  
· Partner with the OCC Maintenance Engineer to plan and execute routine preventive and planned maintenance shutdowns.
· Minimise unplanned downtime by ensuring quick diagnosis and resolution of equipment breakdowns.
· Manage the budget for the OCC area, including tracking expenditures on spare parts, consumables, and raw material processing costs
 
PERSON SPECIFICATION: OCC Manager, Operational Excellence Manager, Operations Manager - Papermill, Pulp, Corrugated
 
· Experience - a proven track record of operational management or senior supervisory experience within a large-scale paper / board mill or high-volume recycled pulp / fibre plant.
· Technical Knowledge - deep expertise in recycled fibre preparation, OCC pulping, screening technologies, and waste paper contamination removal.
· Education - A Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Paper Technology, or a relevant industrial discipline is highly preferred.
· Automation - practical experience operating with modern DCS (Distributed Control Systems) and automation layouts.
· Safety - formally trained in industrial safety management (e.g., NEBOSH Certificate or IOSH Managing Safely).
 
This OCC Manager role offers significant opportunity for an ambitious, experienced professional with a desire to develop their career with a growing and forward-thinking company and group with a track record and plans for strong growth.
 
We want someone who is driven to succeed and looking for an opportunity to work within a multinational organization that offers extensive freedom of action and which has room to invest and very ambitious plans.
 
THE COMPANY:
 
This will be one of the largest and most technologically advanced paper mills in Europe, and the largest in the UK when  the Mill is complete. This groundbreaking facility will have the capacity to manufacture 750,000 tonnes per year of container board and 67,000 tonnes per year of tissue paper, potentially increasing to 210,000 tonnes.
 
With sustainability at its forefront, the site will use 100% recycled materials in container board production and harvest recycled waste wood and biomass to use in green energy.
 
PROSPECTS:
 
· The opportunity to join a very large multinational organisation.
· We have an active policy of promotion from within and offer the genuine opportunity to develop your career.
· This position will be challenging but also tremendously rewarding.
 
It is highly likely you will have worked in any of the following roles, OCC Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Engineering Manager, Operational Excellence Manager, CI Manager, Operations Manager - Container board, Corrugated, Packaging, Paper, Paper Mill, Pulp, Tissue
 
INTERESTED? Please click apply. You will receive an acknowledgment of your application.
 
Wallace Hind Selection, alongside our client embrace diversity, champion equality, and foster inclusion to create a work environment where everyone belongs and thrives.
 
Please Note: Wallace Hind Selection have been chosen as the retained recruitment partner of our client and therefore any direct applications to our client from candidates or agencies will be forwarded on to us direct.
 
REF: IP18528, Wallace Hind Selection