Christopher Heitzhaus
Lake Charles
Summary
Results-driven professional in paper manufacturing skilled in leading teams to achieve operational excellence. Expertise in workplace safety, quality assurance, and process optimization. Proven track record in driving improvements through effective data analysis and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
D3 Paper Machine Assistant Superintendent
Packaging Corporation of America
DeRidder, LA
04.2026 - Current
- Member of three person salary team over 40 man crew tasked with guaranteeing peak production and reliability across all grades on the D3 Paper Machine
- Plan 12hr outages every 7 weeks, including consultation on the maintenance schedule, writing lockouts, coordinating vendor support, and scheduling operators to ensure efficient completion of all required tasks
- Serve as liaison with Maintenance and E&I departments to tackle on-the-run troubleshooting and ensure equipment and instrumentation are performing as required
- Train and develop operators to strengthen technical understanding, improve operational discipline, and promote safe work practices
Stock Prep Assistant Superintendent
Packaging Corporation of America
DeRidder, LA
11.2025 - 04.2026
- Provided technical and operational leadership to optimize fiber quality, ensure reliability, and control costs in a safe and efficient manner across all systems upstream of D1 and D3 paper machine headboxes
- Monitored process parameters (freeness, consistency control, fiber yield) to troubleshoot daily issues, ensuring paper machine production and quality targets were met
- Managed system chemistry programs (deposit control, defoamers, biocides, strength aids) in collaboration with vendors to ensure quality sheet performance throughout machine
- Analyzed operational data to pinpoint performance gaps and drive continuous improvement initiatives
- Led housekeeping and system cleanliness initiatives to enhance system stability and ensure consistent product quality
Process Engineer
Packaging Corporation of America
DeRidder, LA
08.2024 - 10.2025
- Enhanced process optimization and reliability in Pulp Mill and Paper Machine departments through targeted data analysis and engineering methods
- Analyzed chip moisture and digester cooking efficiency in post annual outage days to determine that increased frequency of moisture tests should drive increased liquor-to-wood ratio for cooks
- Modeled the tons/day dust loss centered around the Pre Coat Filter in the Lime Kiln
- Compiled new wet felt break in timeline projections based on grade run schedule to determine earliest opportunity to achieve full machine speed after outages
- Correlated increased entrained air originating in Pulp Mill stock leading to sheet breaks on Paper Machines
Education
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Delaware
Newark, DE05-2024
Skills
- Experienced in DCS and PLC applications
- Quality assurance
- Workplace safety
- Microsoft Office
- Process control systems
- Statistical modeling
- Safety compliance practices
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Technical documentation
- Shift Foreman experience
Timeline
D3 Paper Machine Assistant Superintendent
Packaging Corporation of America
04.2026 - Current
Stock Prep Assistant Superintendent
Packaging Corporation of America
11.2025 - 04.2026
Process Engineer
Packaging Corporation of America
08.2024 - 10.2025
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Delaware