Forester: Mechanised Harvesting at SAFCOL (South African Forestry Company Limited)

Key Accountabilities 

• Contribute on formulation of Annual Plan of Operations (APO) including tactical and operational plans 
• Effectively and efficiently perform operational planning 
• Monitor consolidated field information on PSION (data device) 
• Interpret production information for progress purposes, client - and product mix to ensure that all clients and products are delivered rateably 
• System movements between compartments to be pre-planned to minimize production loss 
• Maximize log value recovery and fibre utilization by minimising tree damage and waste generation and utilising the value optimisation program of the harvester 
• Manage log product inventory 
• Monitoring of machine performance, volume production, log quality and landing management and staff 
• Ensure Operating Harvesting Plan (OHP) is available for each current harvesting compartment
• Submit OHP for approval to Plantation Manager before commencing operations 
• Monitor Log progress reports daily 
• Ensure audit preparations and improve controls within agreed timelines 
• Perform log quality audits daily and report completed work on PSM 
• Complete management checklists for each operation on a weekly basis 
• Ensure that toolbox talks are held regularly and monitor compliance of forestry best practices 
• Liaise with service providers (OEM`s) to minimise breakdowns and management of mechanise harvesting equipment to ensure maximum availability of equipment and uptime 
• Monitor maintenance schedule to ensure service is performed on time and ensure vehicle checklists are completed on daily basis 
• Complete checklist for all operations and conduct in-field quality checks as per BOP’s 
• Ensure safety of all work aspects as per set safety standards 
• Manage safety system for mechanised harvesting 
• Complete and control all safety registers and follow up on actions to be conducted 
• Report all incidents on DMS (Data Management System) and control environmental aspects in field as per EMS 
• Establish training needs, coach and motivate mechanised team 
• Perform staff utilisation planning, manage staff performance and productivity 

Minimum Requirements 

• Grade 12 
• National Diploma in Forestry (NQF level 6) 
• B-Tech or BSc Degree in Forestry (NQF level 7) will be added advantage 
• 2 Years’ experience as a Field Forester or similar level 
• Previous experience in mechanised harvesting operations will be added advantage 
• Valid driver’s license 

Leadership Competencies 

• Driving change 
• Operational delivery 
• Decision making 
• Self-awareness
• Business acumen 
• People management 

Behavioural Competencies 

• Communication
• Planning and Organising 
• Team player 
• Stakeholder management 
• Attention to detail 
• Stress tolerance 

Technical Competencies 

• Process flow management 
• Total quality management 
• Mechanised practices 
• Safety management 
• Harvesting practices 
• Computer literacy