Job Vacancies at Sappi

We are hiring!

At Sappi, we are a leading global provider with a reputation for delivering high-quality sustainable Woodfibre products and solutions for the global markets. We lead through our values centred around integrity, courage, making smart decisions which we execute with speed. We are seeking unique people who believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

We’re on the lookout for an experienced Automation/Electrical - Technician to assist Electrical and Project Engineers by carrying out various electrical project work, maintenance tasks, technical investigations and management tasks.

As a Automation/Electrical - Technician, you will be responsible for:

• Ensure equipment uptime, calibration, and optimisation of all electrical, electronic, and instrumentation equipment used to serve the purpose of Sappi such as PLC's, AC and DC Drives, DCS, protection equipment, measuring equipment, communication equipment, controllers, SLCs, UPSs, battery chargers and any other equipment that uses, switches, controls or generates electricity to perform some or another function. Concerning all the equipment the Technician covers both hard- and software.
• Assist with solving everyday plant problems having a complexity that reaches beyond the trained knowledge of Artisans and foremen, decreasing plant downtime, by making decisions, using specialised techniques with the aid of specialised measuring equipment.
• Fault finding and repair on equipment up to card level depending on the availability of the relevant spares.
• Reports such problems to direct supervisor and Master Technician, investigate possible causes, research all possible solutions and make a choice to the best solution and provide recommendations for most effective and economical solutions to prevent re-occurrence.
• Manage and execute preventative- and improvement steps, making use of the support of maintenance personnel or contractors depending on the nature of the specific task.
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards of work done by inspecting and commissioning plant modifications.
• Ensures accurate documentation updates according to Ngodwana Management of Change procedure.
• Obtain information and knowledge from suppliers of equipment installed during a project. Knowledge obtained to transfer to fellow technicians, section engineers, artisans, and foremen, by compiling manuals. Double checks such manuals set up by junior technicians and technicians.
• Give on-the-job training to Artisans and Foremen.
• Research possibilities of increasing performance and effectivity of equipment, by continually keeping up with technology through supplier technical releases, attending demonstrations, training courses, and presentations supplied by contractors.
• Advising the Master Technician about such new methods and systems.
• Investigate, compile the scope of work, and cost calculations, monitor installations, compile and follow up on punch lists, and ensure proper documentation.
• Compiling of fault-finding, calibration, and optimisation procedures for new equipment to be used by maintenance personnel and other technicians.
• Identify training requirements needed for daily tasks performed by Artisans and Foremen.
• Identify measuring and fault-finding equipment requirements and ensures artisans have the know-how to fully utilise such equipment.
• Submit monthly and weekly reports on section activity for Electrical Engineer. 

What are we looking for?

• NQF6: N. Diploma or equivalent
• SAP knowledge will be advantageous
• National Diploma
• Heavy industry experience – 3 years

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We’re on the lookout for an experienced Wrapline Operator to safely and efficiently operate the wrap line to ensure optimum production output and quality at the best cost with minimum downtime, rejections, and waste.

 As a Wrapline Operator, you will be responsible for: 

• Monitor the continuous running of all conveyors and stations from the wrapline conveyer to the warehouse.
• Ensure all raw materials are available for wrapping.
• Ensure the integrity of web information is correct i.e. weight, width, diameter, and status. Reprocess reels from winder with incorrect information.
• Ensure the correct labels are applied properly onto the web and that the web appearance is within customer requirements. Reject and rewrap bad wraps.
• Assist with troubleshooting and call the appropriate discipline to assist where required.
• Minimize backlogs and ensure the in-process report remains clear of all old webs.
• Assist with newsprint paper machine shuts, as required/directed.
• Identify and take corrective action in terms of SHEQ conditions and hazards.
• Carry out BBS Observations
• Understand and comply with all relevant SHEQ requirements of the job.
• Maintain a high level of good housekeeping in the workplace at all times.

What are we looking for?

• Matric with Maths and Science or N3 Pulp and Paper
• 6 months of plant experience

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We’re on the lookout for an experienced Technical Manager to oversee the technical function of Saiccor Mill including departmental safety, budgets, strategy dissemination, work performance, standards, work allocation, employee management, and reporting.

As a Technical Manager, you will be responsible for: 

• Stay abreast with the latest technologies. Research, propose and motivate new capital investment to optimise current and/or new processes.
• Review mill processes for cost reduction, production increase and optimization by making use of the technical team onsite and external resources.
• Work with head office strategic department in assisting the development of strategic capital plans.
• Manage the process optimisation initiatives in the mill using analytical tools and external resources.
• Manage the product development initiatives in the mill through engagements mill and suppliers.
• Analyse and interpret data to investigate process problems and assist mill managers to formulate action plans.
• Evaluate all current and new processes to ensure environmental compliance and for achieving sustainability targets for the mill.
• Ensure customer support by liaising with marketing and directly with the customers to understand their exact needs and requirements. Where required, new equipment/test methods are implemented and/or developed.
• Ensure reliable process analytical support from mill laboratories and monitor the operations so that a continuous flow of accurate process data is supplied to the production section.
• Direct quality control and the mill laboratory so that products leaving the mill (pulp and paper) conform to relevant specifications.
• Though the mill laboratories, advise production sections on the suitability of raw materials received standards and documentation.
• Participate in the prioritisation and motivation for capital expenditure projects for new plants or machinery or upgrades of existing ones. Oversee the development of process specifications and approve changes in the design of the plant.
• Review and approve process changes and trials with a focus on integration between different areas of the plant.
• Drive the safety and other SHEQ objectives for the technical department. 
• Set and control the fixed cost budget for the technical department.
• Coach and provide guidance to the people with direct reports in the technical department function on how to effectively manage their teams.
• Oversee the recruitment, recognition, remuneration, development, and discipline of the technical team.
• Oversee the effective development of new engineers and EIT’s by participating in the selection of new trainees and monitoring the effectiveness of the training and mentoring support they receive.

B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering

• Management qualification (MBA/MDP or equivalent)
• 12 years’ experience in a relevant industry
• Pulp and paper experience would be advantageous
• Professional registration at ECSA would be advantageous

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We’re on the lookout for an experienced Mechanical Technician to provide high-level technical support to the Mechanical and related departments, specifically relating to plant optimization, maintenance, and projects, fault diagnosis in order to maximize the availability of the plant.

As a Mechanical Technician, you will be responsible for:

• Assist with the development of maintenance schedules for plant equipment in consultation with the Engineer and Foreman
• Management of SAP PM orders which are related to projects
• Assist with shut planning, preparation, and execution
• Understand the OHS requirements including Pressure Testing, NDT, and lifting equipment inspection for Maintenance tasks
• Ensures that all modifications/projects conform fully to Mill Change Management Procedures, Mill Standard Specifications, Mill Safety Standards, and the OHS Act
• Optimisation of equipment performance and availability
• Fault-finding malfunctions of mechanical equipment within the plant and providing technical support in troubleshooting
• Manage contractors in performing mechanical maintenance tasks on platforms, bases, and piping systems
• Suggest and implement technical improvements on mechanical systems
• Consult with AIA’s to comply with required pipeline and pressure vessel maintenance and repair regulations

What are we looking for?

• NQF6 qualification (National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering)
• 2 years of industrial experience
• Supervisory experience
• Proven Project Management experience

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We’re on the lookout for an experienced  Fitter & Turner to overhaul, repair, and maintain all mechanical equipment for the mill by means of inspection, fitting, turning, and machining operations and skills ensuring the reliability of equipment.

As a Fitter & Turner, you will be responsible for:

• Perform inspections on workshop machinery and equipment daily and maintain the equipment when necessary, using suitable tools and equipment
• Participate in and execute proactive maintenance activities for example RCA’s and failure analysis
• Perform breakdown overhauls on unplanned equipment failures, as well as on scheduled/planned work
• Fit, assemble, grind, machine, and shape metal parts and sub-assemblies to maintain machinery and equipment
• Machine a variety of equipment and components on the boring mill as and when required
• Perform overhauls of any piece of equipment in the plant, for example, pumps, gearboxes, rolls, fans, mixers, blowers, feeders, screw compressors, grabs, etc using all machines available such as lathes, vertical/horizontal boring mills, milling and drilling machines, grinding and shaping machines
• Manufacture various components such as shafts, bushes, pins, flanges, etc for all types of Plant equipment
• Rig up to 2.5 T during standard maintenance activities
• Complete sketches of work when no drawings are available and share knowledge with other Fitter/Turners in the Workshop
• Perform any other assigned tasks that fall within the scope of a Fitter and Turner

What are we looking for?

• Grade 12 and N2 Engineering or a related equivalent whilst N3 engineering would be preferred
• Recognised trade test certificate as a Fitter and Turner
• 2 years post apprenticeship experience in a heavy engineering environment will be considered advantageous

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We’re on the lookout for an experienced Process Controller Chemical to safely and efficiently operate the equipment under his/her control, and co-ordinate plant activities on a shift basis. Ensure optimum production output and quality within budget. 

 As a Process Controller Chemical, you will be responsible for: 

• Take and hand over the shift, utilize the electronic reporting systems
• Evaluates data input of the previous shift and react accordingly
• Check quality sheets and exception reports
• Understand the forecast of the shift
• Evaluate external plant influences and communicate to Shift Superintendent
• Ensure continuity of communication
• Communicate plant status with Shift Superintendent and Outside Operator
• Ensure response to, execution of, and communication to all levels where necessary (briefs, emails, memos, etc.).
• Optimise plant status within current constraints (raw materials, and services)
• Do rate changes as requested
• Ensure corrective action on all non-conformances
• Execute production activities i.e. shut, start-ups and stops, exception reports, log sheets, graphs, trends, etc.
• Do grade changes as requested
• Doing pump changeover as per schedule
• Complete PJO’s
• Compile and update best practices as required
• Ensure good housekeeping practices
• Optimize raw material consumption
• Ensure that all equipment defects are attended to immediately
• Accountable to ensure adherence to all safety BP’s, procedures, and BBS.
• Ensure adherence to specific Legal regulatory requirements.
• Raise and close out SHEQ deviations
• Maintain, update, and prioritize the shut list

What are we looking for?

• Relevant Post Matric Certificate (NQF Level 5) or Diploma
• Minimum of 2 years relevant experience
• A relevant plant license will be advantageous

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We’re on the lookout for an experienced Environmental Technician to Conduct and ensure mill compliance to environmental policies, policies and objectives, adhering to the requirements of external environmental authorities and legal licences and implement environmental tasks and reporting of environmental performance internally . 

As an Environmental Technician, you will be responsible for:  

• Monitor adherence status to the environmental management system.
• Ensure  maintenance of the ISO 14001 accredited environmental management system.
• Compile and present environmental reports for review .
• Report on environmental performance on the Mill to the Environmental Specialist and/or Environmental/Risk Manager.
• Analyse audit results to ensure that findings are actioned/closed out.
• Conduct daily environmental inspections in and around the plants.
• Conduct informal checks on procedures, work instructions, environmental registers and policies to ensure that the system is fully implemented.
• Conduct internal SHEQ inspections, audits and verification of close out of audit findings.Carry out environmental induction, orientation and environmental awareness.
• Prepare and compile content for environmental training and awareness.
• Plan, prepare and execute scheduled environmental emergency preparedness drills.
• Research, analyse and provide input to environmental management on relevant legislation proposals.
• Monitor environmental aspects and impacts.
• Monitor environmental licence parameters, develop trends and interpret results.
• Ensure implementation of corrective actions and mitigation measures thereof.
• Ensure environmental risks and hazards and mitigation measures implemented at the Mill.
• Maintain environmental risk profile of the mill.
• Conduct environmental risk assessments

What are we looking for? 

• National Diploma (Environmental/Chemical Engineering) or equivalent, or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant environmental management field.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in environmental management and implementation of compliance within the manufacturing industry.
• Indepth knowledge of environmental legislation and licencing processes
• Strong computer literacy (MS Office Suite).

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We’re on the lookout for an experienced Forester to implement and achieve the operational estate management, targets for fibre production within resource and SHEQ parameters to ensure a sustainable fibre supply.

This role reports to the Forestry Manager.

As a Forester, you will be responsible for:

• Prepare land & re-establish according to Planning’s recommendations for re-establishment (planting & coppice regeneration) to achieve Temporary Unplanted targets within budget constraints.
• Manage the re-establishment to achieve maximum stocking within silvicultural standards.
• Inspect operations regularly (at least weekly) to identify risks & ensure the timeous action (blanking & pest control, coppice management).
• Ensure all operations comply with service level agreement.
• Protect crops from weed competition, pests and diseases by regular field inspections & the timing of operations to achieve maximum yields within cost constraints.
• Develop a pre-harvest plan and conduct a risk assessment per compartment in order to mitigate potential risks.
• Conduct interim inspections to monitor and ensure adherence to safety and Mill quality specifications.
• Ensure daily production targets are managed effectively and comply with legislative and company policies & procedures.
• Identify and ensure road & depot/sidings maintenance plans are communicated and implemented effectively.
• Use Fire Risk Management System (FRMS) to identify risks, record & implement fire control procedures.
• Implement the Annual Plan of Operations for both commercial and open areas, and ensure operations comply with standards and service level agreements.
• Ensure that company assets such as buildings, villages and company houses are maintained & managed effectively according to set standards within budget constraints.
• Ensure that the vehicle fleet is maintained & managed according to the lease agreement, Sappi guidelines & budget. Ensure that relations with communities, other internal and external stakeholders are effectively maintained and managed in order to ensure company image is upheld, risks mitigated and relationships enhanced.
• Ensure that a professional relationship with the contractor is maintained and that quality, delivery and compliance standards as set out in the job instruction system and service level agreement are adhered to.
• Ensure that contractor shifts are balanced to match the annual plan of operations, the contract is viable, and risks mitigated accordingly.

What are we looking for?

• National Diploma in Forestry or Agriculture or Horticulture
• Up to 1 year relevant experience.
• Valid driver’s license.

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Global Business Services is on the lookout for an experienced Finance Officer: Accounts Payable to supervise the invoice payment processes in Accounts Payable ensuring vendors are paid accurately and on time for goods and services supplied to Sappi.   

As a Finance Officer: Accounts Payable, you will be responsible to: 

• Review invoice payment processes weekly to identify discrepancies and re-submit to Creditors Clerks to investigate and resolve
• Track volumes of work daily to determine capacity and gaps and re-allocating and re-distributing tasks to provide adequate capacity in the department. 
• Clear Goods Receipt Invoice Receipt (GRIR) once the necessary checks and corrections relating to unpaid invoices and statements have been made by the Creditors Clerks on GRIR and approved by the Financial Accountant.    
• Review the cash flow forecasts for all foreign payments for Sappi Southern Africa to confirm that all processes have been completed to enable the projected cash flows to pull through and to address potential problems. The confirmed forecasts are submitted to the Financial Manager (Accounts payable) for approval and sign-off
• Compile and scrutinise all reconciliations, raw material statements, including the SES reconciliations and Service Level Agreement schedule, to confirm accuracy and to refer discrepancies to Creditors Clerks for investigation and correction where necessary.  
• Monitor vendors and related accounts payable processes, recommends or improves processes to prevent recurrence of problems and escalates un-resolved issues to relevant departments to review, amend and/or implement
• Assist Business Process Engineer to related system changes
• Conduct performance reviews of Creditors Clerks and provides guidance to improve/enhance performance to meet required standards.  
• Keep Financial Manager abreast of all matters related to Accounts Payable

What are we looking for?

• 3-year Diploma in Accounting while a Degree in Accounting would be considered advantageous
• 3 years experience as a Supervisor and managing people in a large department. 
• 3 years experience in an Accounts Payable Department.
• Advanced MS Office / SAP / FI.

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We’re on the lookout for an experienced Process Controller : NSSC (Field) who will assist the Process Controller (NSSC) in monitoring and controlling the NSSC Digester to ensure maximum production, plant availability and quality standards according to best operating practice..
As a Process Controller : NSSC (Field), you will be responsible for:

• Takes and hands over shift.
• Assists in preparing the plant for start-up on instruction from the Process Controller or Foreman
• Assists the Process Controller: NSSC in starting and stopping the NSSC Digester.
• Starts and stops all Refiners on instruction from the Process Controller: NSSC or Foreman.
• Assists in monitoring and reports running conditions of NSSC Digester and auxiliaries to Process Controller: NSSC or Foreman to maintain maximum efficiency.
• Ensures that plant is kept clean by supervising plant cleaning staff (contractors) on day shift.
• Checks slimicide and defoamer dispenser levels and replenishes twice per shift.
• Moves pulp tipper to various pulp storage bays.
• Comply with all relevant SHEQ requirements of the job.
• Maintains a high level of good housekeeping in the workplace at all times.

What are we looking for?

• Matric /NQF Level 4 Qualification with N3 Pulp & Paper (4 subjects)
• Minimum 2 years Plant Operations Experience

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We’re on the lookout for an experienced Environmental Officer to support and contribute to the sound environmental management of Sappi Forests’ activities, in order to meet national environmental requirements and maintain Certification.

As an Environmental Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Provide technical advice to line staff on implementation of procedures through extension to ensure the EMS is implemented correctly and Certification is maintained.
• Assess the impact of forestry activities by analysing and interpreting results (annual plantation audits, biodiversity and important conservation area monitoring) to identify forestry’s impact on the environment.

• Conduct internal environmental impact assessments (EIA) by assessing impacts of developments to mitigate impacts on the environment.

• Undertake environmental assessments and monitoring of important conservation areas through visits and surveys to ensure correct management of these areas.
• Liaise with stakeholders by attending environmental forums and other public meetings to inform stakeholders of Sappi Forests environmental performance.
• Build and maintain awareness of the SHEQ requirements through formal training, field days and a regular consultation service with own staff and contractors.

What are we looking for?

• National Diploma in Forestry or Environmental Science
• A Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field will be advantageous.
• 3 years relevant experience.
• Code 8 Driver’s license.

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We’re on the lookout for a Planning Officer based in Kwambonambi to manage all aspects relating to the District plantations growing stock for the accurate compiling of annual and tactical plans to ensure sustainable timber supply. 
 
As a Planning Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Gather information through enumeration, field surveys, GPS work and other feedback systems and participate in regional operational projects through providing data and measurement systems.
• Update maps and enumeration plan to ensure the integrity of the database and spatial systems to provide management with accurate information to manage the plantations.
• Update and maintain Microforest adhering to prescribed standards and procedures by keeping planning Monitor and report damage and disease within the Region to measure extent and intensity of damage to Sappi Forests plantations.
• Ensure that planning data/systems are aligned with other management systems such as Geographic Information System (GIS) and Title Deed System by means of routine update runs and interaction with system owners.
• Produce annual plan of operations (APO's) and 5-year Tactical Working Plans and the management thereof to maintain a balanced fibre supply to the customers using planning software.
• Report progress monthly on key statistics (areas, species, harvested and planted, damaged areas and TUP areas) to Planning Manager, Harvesting and Silviculture operations.
• Produce maps as per foresters and management requests using GIS in order to assist in planning and execution of their work. 
• Manage and develop contractors doing enumeration and GPS work as per annual requirement.
• Ensure that costs are well managed and contained.

What are we looking for?

• Degree or diploma in Forestry or related science qualification.
• An Administrative qualification will be advantageous.
• Understanding of the Forestry Planning function.
• Database management experience will be advantageous.
• Strong computer literacy with in depth working knowledge of MS Office.
• Basic understanding of forest growth and yield modelling and measurement will be advantageous.