Corrugator Machine Supervisor job at People Brand House

Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The position is based in Kampala, Uganda. Qualified candidates from Uganda, Kenya and the wider East African region are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be willing to relocate to Kampala. Appropriate immigration and work-permit arrangements will be discussed with the successful regional candidate.

Job Purpose

To lead and coordinate corrugator operations, ensuring the safe and efficient production of high-quality corrugated board in accordance with production plans, customer specifications, quality standards and cost targets.

The role is responsible for machine performance, crew supervision, material utilisation, process control, quality assurance and coordination of preventive maintenance.

Responsibilities or duties

Production Operations

• Supervise the complete corrugator production process, from paper roll preparation and single-facer operations to double-backer, slitter-scorer and cut-off operations.
• Plan and coordinate production runs according to job schedules, board grades, flute profiles and customer specifications.
• Ensure correct machine setup for paper combinations, flute types, board dimensions and order quantities.
• Monitor machine speed, steam pressure, temperature, glue application, tension and other operating parameters.
• Lead product changeovers and minimise setup and production downtime.
• Ensure production targets are achieved without compromising product quality or employee safety.

Team Supervision

• Allocate duties and provide clear shift instructions to corrugator operators and assistants.
• Monitor employee performance, attendance, discipline and adherence to operating procedures.
• Coach operators in machine setup, process control, troubleshooting and safe working practices.
• Conduct effective shift handovers and communicate outstanding production or maintenance issues.
• Identify skills gaps and recommend appropriate operator training.

Quality Control

• Ensure corrugated board meets approved specifications for flute formation, bonding, moisture, dimensions, strength and appearance.
• Monitor and correct common defects, including warp, delamination, poor adhesion, crushed flutes, washboarding, blistering and inaccurate cutting or scoring.
• Work closely with the Quality Assurance team to investigate non-conforming products and implement corrective action.
• Ensure board specifications and production records are accurately maintained.

Machine Performance and Maintenance

• Monitor the operating condition of the corrugator and its auxiliary equipment.
• Coordinate routine inspections, cleaning, lubrication and preventive maintenance.
• Identify mechanical, electrical, steam, glue-system and control-system problems and promptly escalate them to the Maintenance team.
• Participate in breakdown analysis and support measures to prevent recurring equipment failures.
• Ensure maintenance work is safely completed before equipment is returned to production.

Material and Cost Control

• Monitor paper, starch adhesive, steam and other production inputs.
• Reduce paper waste, startup waste, trim loss, glue consumption and rejected board.
• Verify materials issued against the approved production order and bill of materials.
• Account for production output, waste and work in progress at the end of each shift.
• Recommend process improvements that increase productivity and reduce conversion costs.

Safety and Compliance

• Enforce all occupational health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Ensure machine guards, emergency stops, sensors and other safety controls are functional and never bypassed.
• Conduct shift safety briefings and immediately report accidents, hazards and near misses.
• Ensure strict compliance with lockout/tagout and authorised maintenance procedures.
• Maintain high housekeeping standards around the corrugator and production area.

Reporting

• Prepare accurate shift production reports covering output, waste, downtime, machine speed, quality issues and staffing.
• Analyse production variances and recommend corrective measures.
• Escalate significant production, quality, safety and maintenance issues to management.
• Participate in daily production and performance review meetings.

Performance Indicators

• Production output against plan
• Corrugator operating speed and efficiency
• Machine uptime and downtime
• Paper waste and trim-loss percentage
• Product rejection and rework rates
• Changeover and setup time
• Compliance with board quality specifications
• Preventive maintenance compliance
• Safety performance
• Team productivity and attendance

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Minimum Qualifications

• Diploma or technical qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering or a related discipline.
• Additional training in corrugated-board production, machine operations, quality management or occupational safety is an advantage.
• Relevant practical experience may be considered in place of higher academic qualifications.

Experience needed

Experience

• At least seven years’ experience operating corrugator machinery in a corrugated packaging or paper-converting plant.
• At least three years’ experience supervising a corrugator crew or production shift.
• Demonstrated experience with high-speed automated corrugator lines.
• Experience operating equipment from manufacturers such as BHS, Fosber, TCY, BW Papersystems, JS Machine or comparable systems is an advantage.
• Practical experience in single-facer, double-backer, glue-system, steam-system, slitter-scorer and cut-off operations.
• Experience in a structured manufacturing environment with production, quality and maintenance controls.

Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of corrugated-board manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of paper grades, flute profiles and board combinations
• Ability to interpret production orders and technical specifications
• Machine setup and process optimisation
• Corrugator defect identification and troubleshooting
• Steam, temperature, tension and adhesive-process control
• Waste reduction and productivity improvement
• Preventive maintenance coordination
• Production planning and reporting
• Occupational health and safety management

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong production leadership
• Practical problem-solving ability
• Attention to quality and detail
• Sound judgement under pressure
• Clear communication
• Team development and coaching
• Accountability for results
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, weekends or extended hours when required

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Job Category: Supervisoryoperations

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: Kampala Uganda

• Supervise the complete corrugator production process, from paper roll preparation and single-facer operations to double-backer, slitter-scorer and cut-off operations.
• Plan and coordinate production runs according to job schedules, board grades, flute profiles and customer specifications.
• Ensure correct machine setup for paper combinations, flute types, board dimensions and order quantities.
• Monitor machine speed, steam pressure, temperature, glue application, tension and other operating parameters.
• Lead product changeovers and minimise setup and production downtime.
• Ensure production targets are achieved without compromising product quality or employee safety.
• Allocate duties and provide clear shift instructions to corrugator operators and assistants.
• Monitor employee performance, attendance, discipline and adherence to operating procedures.
• Coach operators in machine setup, process control, troubleshooting and safe working practices.
• Conduct effective shift handovers and communicate outstanding production or maintenance issues.
• Identify skills gaps and recommend appropriate operator training.
• Ensure corrugated board meets approved specifications for flute formation, bonding, moisture, dimensions, strength and appearance.
• Monitor and correct common defects, including warp, delamination, poor adhesion, crushed flutes, washboarding, blistering and inaccurate cutting or scoring.
• Work closely with the Quality Assurance team to investigate non-conforming products and implement corrective action.
• Ensure board specifications and production records are accurately maintained.
• Monitor the operating condition of the corrugator and its auxiliary equipment.
• Coordinate routine inspections, cleaning, lubrication and preventive maintenance.
• Identify mechanical, electrical, steam, glue-system and control-system problems and promptly escalate them to the Maintenance team.
• Participate in breakdown analysis and support measures to prevent recurring equipment failures.
• Ensure maintenance work is safely completed before equipment is returned to production.
• Monitor paper, starch adhesive, steam and other production inputs.
• Reduce paper waste, startup waste, trim loss, glue consumption and rejected board.
• Verify materials issued against the approved production order and bill of materials.
• Account for production output, waste and work in progress at the end of each shift.
• Recommend process improvements that increase productivity and reduce conversion costs.
• Enforce all occupational health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Ensure machine guards, emergency stops, sensors and other safety controls are functional and never bypassed.
• Conduct shift safety briefings and immediately report accidents, hazards and near misses.
• Ensure strict compliance with lockout/tagout and authorised maintenance procedures.
• Maintain high housekeeping standards around the corrugator and production area.
• Prepare accurate shift production reports covering output, waste, downtime, machine speed, quality issues and staffing.
• Analyse production variances and recommend corrective measures.
• Escalate significant production, quality, safety and maintenance issues to management.
• Participate in daily production and performance review meetings.

• Strong understanding of corrugated-board manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of paper grades, flute profiles and board combinations
• Ability to interpret production orders and technical specifications
• Machine setup and process optimisation
• Corrugator defect identification and troubleshooting
• Steam, temperature, tension and adhesive-process control
• Waste reduction and productivity improvement
• Preventive maintenance coordination
• Production planning and reporting
• Occupational health and safety management
• Strong production leadership
• Practical problem-solving ability
• Attention to quality and detail
• Sound judgement under pressure
• Clear communication
• Team development and coaching
• Accountability for results
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, weekends or extended hours when required

• Diploma or technical qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering or a related discipline.
• Additional training in corrugated-board production, machine operations, quality management or occupational safety is an advantage.
• Relevant practical experience may be considered in place of higher academic qualifications.
• At least seven years’ experience operating corrugator machinery in a corrugated packaging or paper-converting plant.
• At least three years’ experience supervising a corrugator crew or production shift.
• Demonstrated experience with high-speed automated corrugator lines.
• Experience operating equipment from manufacturers such as BHS, Fosber, TCY, BW Papersystems, JS Machine or comparable systems is an advantage.
• Practical experience in single-facer, double-backer, glue-system, steam-system, slitter-scorer and cut-off operations.
• Experience in a structured manufacturing environment with production, quality and maintenance controls.