Senior Specialist, Waste Management at Exxaro Resources

PURPOSE:

• To provide technical expertise in the development and application of statutory and non-statutory waste management requirements across the company.
• Develop, implement, and manage waste management programs that ensure environmental compliance, minimize waste generation, and promote recycling and responsible disposal practices.
• Implement waste management strategies that align with our commitment to sustainable mining and renewable energy generation.
• Work closely with various departments to minimize environmental impacts and maintain compliance with relevant regulations.

MAJOR CHALLENGES:

• Navigating complex environmental, social, and regulatory challenges.
• Gaining stakeholder support and understanding and buy-in.
• Keeping abreast with new legislation and best practice.

Minimum Requirements    

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (Essential/Minimum or)
• BSc (Hons) Mining Environmental Control (Essential/Minimum or)
• B Degree (Hons) (Relevant) (Essential/Minimum)
• Management Development Programme (Essential/Minimum)

EXPERIENCE: 

• 5-7 years Proven experience in waste management, particularly in industrial or mining settings. 6Strong knowledge of mining processes, environmental regulations, and waste disposal practices. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Effective communication skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders. Familiarity with sustainability and circular economy principles. Knowledge of renewable energy processes and their waste management requirements is a plus. Essential/Minimum    Operational

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Psychometric Assessment (Essential/Minimum)
• Certificate of Fitness (Essential/Minimum)

Duties & Responsibilities    

POSITION TASKS:

The incumbent will inter alia be responsible for the following:

Compliance, Governance and Assurance  

• Ensure compliance with all relevant environmental laws, regulations, and permits related to waste management and disposal.
• Compile and ensure adherence to waste management strategies, policies and standards
• Identify needs and support line management with regards to waste management
• Stay current with local and international environmental regulations related to waste management and ensure that company operations remain in compliance.

Customer, Stakeholder and Client Relationship Management  

• Provide training and guidance to employees on proper waste handling, segregation, and disposal practices.
• Collaborate with waste disposal vendors to negotiate contracts, ensure compliance with company standards and optimize cost-effective waste disposal solutions.
• Pursue exchange and preservation of information within group to facilitate effective knowledge management
• Effectively market and promote waste management services
• Manage internal and external relations, including interface with external providers or other functions responsible to ensure that the waste management needs of the business are met.
• Develop and build strategic partnerships and development opportunities for delivering business value or waste management service enhancement
• Liaise with key business representatives to manage and resolve waste management issues and/or risks
• Assess processes against set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Provide relevant and specialised support to applicable stakeholders
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders to enable optimal functioning of waste management.

Internal Business Processes

• Develop and implement comprehensive waste management strategies and plans that align with company sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.
• Assess the environmental impact of waste management practices and recommend improvements to minimize negative effects.
• Collaborate with renewable energy teams to manage waste generated during renewable energy production processes and explore opportunities for waste-to-energy projects
• Support manager and organisation in all aspects of the discipline
• Support the development of waste management Key Performance Areas (KPA’s)
• Stay informed about emerging research and technologies related to waste management and recommend innovative solutions for integration into company practices

Reporting

• Implement systems for accurate tracking and documentation of waste generation, transportation, and disposal.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on waste management performance, including waste reduction achievements and compliance status.

Safe and Healthy Work Environment

• Maintain and ensure a healthy environment, safe operations, and practices, ensuring compliance with all applicable Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) policies and procedures in line with set standards.
• Ensure legislative compliance as a minimum standard.
• Encourage a culture that focuses on safety in all operations.
• Ensure compliance towards internal targets & the drive towards Zero- Harm.

Waste Management  

• Conduct waste characterization studies to assess the composition of generated waste streams and identify potential recycling or reclamation opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to minimize waste generation through process improvements and operational changes.
• Establish and manage recycling programs for materials such as paper, plastic, metals, and hazardous waste, ensuring proper collection, segregation, and disposal.
• Develop and implement emergency response plans for potential waste- related incidents, ensuring a rapid and effective response.