Forest Products Processing Supervisors

(NOC 9215)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

These supervisors coordinate and supervise the activities of workers engaged in pulp and paper production and wood processing and manufacturing. They work for pulp and paper companies, paper converting companies, sawmills, planning mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing companies.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Weak growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 20 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

  • Estimate 435 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1945 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$20.62

Minimum

$29.34

Median

$37.58

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$68,862

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$14.00

Minimum

$20.80

Median

$33.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

These supervisors coordinate and supervise the activities of workers engaged in pulp and paper production and wood processing and manufacturing. They work for pulp and paper companies, paper converting companies, sawmills, planning mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing companies.

Job duties

Supervisors in this group:

  • Supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of workers.
  • Make sure that systems and equipment are working well, and that proper maintenance and repairs are done.
  • Create ways to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other departments.
  • Solve work problems and recommend ways to improve productivity and product quality.
  • Request materials and supplies.
  • Train staff in job duties, safety procedures and company policies.
  • Recommend staffing actions like hiring and promotions and administer the collective agreement.
  • Prepare production and other reports.
  • Monitor safety conditions.
  • May set up machines and equipment.

Sample job titles

  • coating room foreperson
  • lumber grading foreperson
  • paper converting supervisor
  • paper machine foreperson
  • paper mill foreperson
  • plywood making foreperson
  • pulp mill foreperson
  • sawmill foreperson
  • shift operating supervisor
  • shingle mill foreperson
  • tour foreperson
  • waferboard foreperson
  • wood-treating plant foreperson

Skills

  • You must be able to supervise staff, work with teams, communicate effectively, and maintain production schedules. Problem-solving, technical writing, and computer skills are important. For some jobs, physical stamina may be necessary.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • A college diploma in pulp and paper technology or a related discipline may be required for some pulp and paper supervisor positions.
  • Several years of some combination of formal and on-the-job training are provided.
  • Several years of experience in the most senior jobs supervised are often required.
  • Certificates like lumber grading, industrial first aid, and a competency certificate in natural gas may be required.

Other considerations

  • There is some movement between this group of jobs when producing similar products or with similar technology or licensing requirements. Movement to managerial positions is also possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

140

employed in 2016

96.4%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

7.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
92.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
45.3

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
72.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

35.7%

North Shore

$75,324 median annual income
25.0%

Cape Breton

N/A
21.4%

Halifax

$69,695 median annual income
10.7%

Southern

N/A
7.1%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

90.9%

Manufacturing

9.1%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

31.0%

35-44

28.0%

55-64

24.0%

45-54

17.0%

25-34

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

24.5%

45-54

20.8%

55-64

19.3%

35-44

16.5%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Top levels of education

32.1%

High school

$49,636 median annual income
32.1%

College Diploma

$65,695 median annual income
21.4%

Trade Certification

N/A
10.7%

Bachelor

N/A
7.1%

Less than high school

N/A

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,505 median annual income
23.3%

Less than high school

$19,224 median annual income
19.9%

College Diploma

$38,781 median annual income
12.2%

Trade Certification

$43,975 median annual income
4.5%

Bachelor

$39,715 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Maritime College of Forest Technology
Fredericton, NB
Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia
Truro, NS
Forest Nova Scotia
Hildon, NS
Forest Products Association of Canada
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.