Environmental Manager at Sappi

This role reports to the General Manager.

The main responsibilities of this job are:

• Maintain the environmental management system and review frequently Mill compliance and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and control the environmental department business plan covering personnel, assets, installations, equipment, vehicles, insurance premiums capex and major contracts.
• Formulate relevant policies and procedures to meet external certification, legal and international best practice requirements for the mill.
• Prepare and distribute reports reflecting Mill’s environmental management status on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Report on the mill’s environmental performance at relevant Mill meetings.
• Direct a communication strategy to generate awareness and knowledge of environmental requirements with the employee and contractor employee workforce.
• Ensure that suitable simulations/drills are held to test the emergency plans and prepare the emergency coordination teams.
• Oversee contractual specifications and compliance on outsourced services.
• Comply with all relevant Environmental requirements of the job.
• Management representative for ISO 50001/14001.
• Maintain membership and/or foster close liaison with professional associations, industry leaders and/or service providers in the environmental management field.
• Engage with external authorities through appropriate forums or directly to manage permits, licenses and other statutory requirements for the mill operations as well as for future projects both at the strategic and implementation phases.
• Ensure legal requirements are compiled and necessary documentation and investigations are forwarded to the relevant Government Departments.
• Ensure compulsory incident reporting to the authorities by the Employer meets with prescribed procedures and occurs within set deadlines.
• Set annual targets, objectives and action plans for the mill and environmental department to achieve continuous improvement and to meet certification requirements.
• Keep abreast of new legislation and changes to legislation and ensure relevant people in the Mill are kept informed.
• Obtain licences and authorisations and plan to achieve legal compliance.
• Ensure and advise on company compliance with statutory requirements in the environmental management field through the monitoring of legislative changes, consultation with legal experts, external legal compliance audits, corrective action plans and internal audits
• Support the Groups Energy Management objectives by overseeing and reporting on greenhouse gas emission reductions.
• Drive continual improvement of the mill’s energy performance in accordance with the requirements of ISO 50001.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 50001 requirements related to energy consumption and efficiency.
• Structure the environmental management department, prepare job descriptions, and ensure selection, appointment and formulation of training and development plans.
• Formulate and monitor mill and departmental objectives, company protective policies, procedures, rules and regulations as well as relevant policies.
• Appraise subordinates’ performance, apply disciplinary codes, and investigate grievances.

The ideal candidate should have:

• Postgraduate or Honours degree (Environmental/Chemical Engineering) in a relevant environmental management field.
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in environmental management and implementation of compliance within the manufacturing industry.
• In-depth knowledge of environmental legislation and licencing processes.
• At least 2 years’ experience in managing people.
• Strong computer literacy (MS Office Suite).