Papermaker
Job Description
A papermaker is normally a skilled process operator responsible for controlling a significant portion of the paper-making process and maintaining the required product quality, production rate and machine stability.
Minimum Requirements / Qualifications
- Grade 12 with Mathematics and Physical Science preferred
- N3 Process Plant Operations, Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering advantageous
- Recognised pulp-and-paper or papermaking qualification, learnership or structured internal mill training
- Three to five years’ paper-machine experience
- Proven experience on the relevant section of the machine
- Knowledge of fibre, stock preparation, refining, additives, wet-end chemistry and water systems
- Ability to interpret quality data and machine-control trends
- Basic process calculations and mechanical aptitude
- Knowledge of safety isolation, nip hazards, rotating machinery, steam systems and chemical handling
- Continuous-shift availability
- Medically fit for noise, heat, chemicals, physical work and shift duty
Key Areas of Responsibility
- Control stock preparation, furnish flow and consistency
- Monitor headbox, forming, pressing, drying and winding conditions
- Maintain basis weight or grammage, moisture, strength, caliper and other quality requirements
- Adjust machine speed, steam, vacuum, pressure, tension and chemical dosing
- Interpret process trends and distributed-control-system information
- Identify sheet defects, web instability and quality deviations
- Coordinate grade changes, threading and machine start-ups
- Minimise broke, fibre loss, chemical consumption and downtime
- Perform first-line troubleshooting
- Communicate with laboratory, maintenance, utilities and converting teams
Maintain production, quality and shift records