Specialist Forest Engineering at Mondi Group

Purpose of the position:

• Along with a team of competent individuals, the incumbent of this position will need to drive & control Forest Engineering systems development and equipment selection to achieve optimal productivity and reduced delivered cost, maintaining a high standard of quality and an uncompromising view on Safety for Operations within Mondi South Africa and SQF. 

Qualification & Expertise

• BSc or BTech in Forestry 
• MSc, MTech Forest Science with Forest Engineering major: desirable

Job Experience

• At least 5-10 years Operational Forest Engineering Experience
• Experience in managing a team
• Demonstrated knowledge of implementing Continuous Improvement methodology in a business
• Knowledge of Road Transport Management System (RTMS) and Performance Based Standards (PBS) systems would be advantageous

RESPONSIBILITIES / KPAS:

Conduct strategic analysis, benchmarking and develop revised/new strategies

• Identify limitations / bottlenecks in current harvesting and logistics operations
• Develop and research alternatives / improvement opportunities on specific systems / operations and/or strategic interventions across operations to improve safety, health, productivity and costs

Ensure technology transfer and implementation

• Manage and further develop relationships between Mondi internal functions, contract partners, equipment suppliers, training and research institutions
• Manage and actively engage in knowledge transfer to improve forest operations efficiency and effectiveness (for example facilitate and conduct training interventions and forester and area manager level & contract manager and contract owner level)

Develop technical solutions, research designs and outputs

• Design technical solutions for e.g. safety challenges on individual machines in cooperation with machine owners and equipment suppliers
• Develop research designs for e.g. testing new equipment or optimizing current harvesting / logistics systems, ensure research phasing, statistical soundness of trial / research and manage implementation and practical role out / application of research results

Direct systems development and equipment selection

• Ensure most cost effective, safe and productive harvesting and transport systems are applied across Mondi operations in partnership with operations line management
• Advise contractors, foresters, area managers on systems and equipment selection

Advise the business on relevant legislation changes and develop “adjustment” plans and strategies

• Establish and strengthen external collaborations with national forestry sector role players within the context of harvesting and logistics (commercial companies, equipment suppliers, research and development institutions and Universities

Prepare written and verbal communication and results

• Effectively communicate results, challenges and problems across all levels of management
• Communicate overall strategies and progress to stakeholders and management represent the company at conferences through written and oral presentations

Contribute towards Ongoing excellence in Safety

• Oversee all Forest Engineering related documentation in Mondi IMS, updating/amending/improving and distributing to the business.
• Assist in relevant incident investigations as well as the close out of relevant investigation findings within the discipline.
• Oversee the Power-tools portfolio including the management and oversight of the Elite Chainsaw Operator Policy

Team Leader

• Oversee the Operations Research specialist portfolio, including work study, system costings and operations research trials.
• Oversee the Machine Data Specialist portfolio, including the roll-out of the machine data strategy and ongoing system integrations within Mondi and SiyaQhubeka Forests (SQF)

RTMS

• Represent Mondi and SQF at the RTMS Steering Committee, including provision of weighbridge data, updating RTMS Coding in the Mondi weighbridge systems and investigating non-compliances in road transport as requested by the Department of Transport.

JOB COMPETENCIES / ATTRIBUTES/SKILLS – ESSENTIAL:

• Proven expert knowledge in the development of organisational systems, processes and budgets.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent leadership skills
• Ability to work remotely and travel extensively, both nationally and internationally