Job Openings at Sappi

As a Risk Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Prepare and control the risk department business plan covering personnel, assets, installations, equipment, vehicles, insurance premium capex, and major contracts
• Set key performance indicators (KPIs) for team members, conducting regular performance reviews, and providing feedback to ensure continuous improvement
• Identify training needs and foster the professional development of team members. This might include mentorship, supporting certifications, or ensuring ongoing education in relevant areas such as risk assessment, compliance, or financial analysis
• Create a positive work environment and foster a culture that values open communication, risk awareness, and ethical behavior
• Management Representative for ISO 45001 and maintain the integrated management system (IMS) and review frequently Mill compliance and continuous improvement
• Ensure and advise on compliance with statutory requirements in the risk management field through the monitoring of legislative changes, consultation with legal experts, external legal compliance audits, corrective action plans, and internal audits
• Prepare and distribute relevant reports reflecting the Mill’s risk management status on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis
• Recommend risk control strategies to minimise risk exposure  and monitor the effectiveness of the risk management process
• Directs the Risk Specialist (Security and Emergency Preparedness) in terms of the mill’s emergency preparedness and response plans in terms of the minimum standards expected for the protection of company assets
• Ensure that suitable simulations/drills are held to test the emergency plans and prepare the emergency coordination teams
• Create and promote a culture where employees at all levels understand their role in maintaining safety and risk mitigation
• Initiate and oversee safety behavior programs that encourage all employees to take personal responsibility for safety
• Lead programs that recognize and reward individuals or teams for exemplary safety practices, thereby reinforcing positive behaviors within the safety culture
• Lead the organization’s crisis management efforts by ensuring that emergency plans are in place, employees are trained, and that there is a coordinated response to incidents such as natural disasters, health emergencies, or security breaches
• Liaise with insurance brokers, surveyors, assessors, mill personnel, company legal advisers, and legal counsel on all insurance matters when needed
• Ensure that corrective and preventive action is taken for non-conformances through correct channeling to the responsible people
• Ensure that legal requirements are complied with in all respects that the required registers are maintained and that the necessary documentation and investigations are forwarded to the Department of Labour
• Set annual targets, objectives, and action plans for the mill and risk department to achieve continuous improvement and to meet certification requirements
• Direct a communication strategy to generate awareness and knowledge of safety requirements with the employee and contractor employee workforce
• Directs the mill towards improvements required to reduce occupational hygiene exposures and to meet legal requirements

What are we looking for?

• B degree in at least one of the SHE disciplines
• 5 - 8 Years post-graduation experience within the SHE field of which 2 years should be in a Managerial field
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety-related legislation and licensing processes
• Strong computer literacy (MS Office Suite)

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As a Senior Engineer: Utilities you will be responsible for: 

• Managing the Water/Effluent Treatment and Boilers operations, system and maintenance, railway operations, civil maintenance, scaffolding and workshop services
• Actively driving the use of plant reliability monitoring techniques to ensure proactive maintenance and reduce unplanned downtime
• Cost effective and reliable supply of Utilities - water, compressed air and steam availability for production, meeting demands for the mill
• Leading and managing the maintenance and production teams
• Safety, health, environmental and quality issues, including incident investigations
• Short term planning as well as annual shut planning
• Cost Control and Budget management 
• Legal compliance to environmental standards, regulations and statutory requirements
• Root cause failure analysis and close outs

What are we looking for?

• BSc/BEng/BTech in Mechanical Engineering 
• Government Certificate of Competency (Factories) 
• 5 years’ experience as a Mechanical Engineer in a heavy industry/manufacturing environment
• Experience in the operation of boilers and utilities is preferred
• Strong Leadership experience
• Excellent planning, organising and technical problem-solving skills
• Ability to make smart decisions
• Experience in the Pulp & Paper industry would be an advantage
• Must be able to work efficiently in a high-pressure environment

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As an Plantation Clerk, you will be responsible for:

• Perform audit checks on District Clerks ensuring compliance with petty cash, finance and administration in line with Sappi procedure.
• Perform regular checks on Diesel bowser at plantations.
• Ensure Plantation Clerks comply with maintaining an effective office administrative system.
• Provide back-up for District Clerks with regard to rainfall stats, fires and capture accordingly.
• Perform District Clerk duties: petty cash, administration, SAP, firewood sales permits, generate requisitions and issue purchase orders.
• Provide typing, photocopying, filing and e-mailing support. 
• Arrange meetings, seminars & conferences as and when required
• Consolidate weekly and monthly reports.
• Administer the Area Managers action log system and assist with follow-up and close-out.
• Ensure that credit card expense claims are processed timeously.
• Ensure that catering for office meetings and functions is effectively organised.
• Ensure that the administration and payment of travel arrangements is handled in line with the company travel policy.
• Complete all Request for proposals on e-cams for the Area.

What are we looking for?

• Grade 12.
• An Admin/Secretarial related qualification preferable. 
• Minimum of 2 years relevant experience. 
• Strong computer literacy (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• SAP knowledge an advantage.
• Valid Code EB Drivers license.

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As a Senior Quality Control System Engineer , you will be responsible to:  

• Develop QCS maintenance best practice systems, schedules, resource allocation, and budgets to meet production and QCS performance targets, aligning with the regional maintenance strategy and international standards.
• Provide input into determining production targets, including shrinkage, standard deviation, and final product quality, benchmarking against international practices for competitiveness.
• Maintain effective communication of Data and BUS Links between QCS, Distributive Control Systems (DCS), and Programmable Logical Systems (PLC) based on international standards.
• Prioritize and motivate capital expenditure projects for new equipment, technology, or upgrades, ensuring alignment with international best practices.
• Review the performance of all control loops and make improvements as necessary, benchmarking against international benchmarks on a continuous basis
• Maintain a safe working environment for the QCS Engineering team, adhering to the Sappi SHEQ system and international safety standards.
• Monitor compliance with ISO Standards, benchmarking against global quality standards for continuous improvement.
• Coordinate QCS duties and standby duties on all Sappi sites, prioritizing based on the nature of the breakdown and benchmarking against international response times.
• Manage QCS Department T&A, incorporating best practices for efficient workforce management

What are we looking for? 

• Recognized Engineering Degree or Diploma (NQF7) e.g., BSc/B Tech/NHD Elect Eng. (LC).
• Minimum 10 years’ experience with Quality Control System Engineering and at least 5 years supervisory experience
• DCS, PLC, and IT experience essential.
• Minimum 10 years experience within Pulp and Paper industry
• Extensive knowledge of Network Platform software and hardware, Smart Platform software and hardware 

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As a Boiler and Turbine Specialist, you will be responsible to:

• Review critical performance parameters on a daily basis, actioning any deviations from specifications and keeping a historical account of operating parameters, monitoring  for long term potential deviations
• Optimise the performance of turbine generators and boilers and produce monthly reports on unit performances
• Address operating parameters out of specification through technical adjustments
• Manage and develop long term strategies for boiler life extensions
• Review and inspect the operating units  for efficient functionality addressing any potential risks to uninterrupted runability
• Identify improvement opportunities and coordinate trial initiatives
• Manage and support mills with annual shutdowns and boiler maintenance requirements as well as service level agreements with suppliers
• Mentor and guide employees in understanding the operating principles of boiler and turbine units
• Assist with problem solving and corrective action including the facilitation, initiation and participation in team based problem solving
• Develop best operating practices for boiler and componant optimisation for development and sustainability
• Stay abreast of international standards and trends to ensure latest technology evaluation at all times

What are we looking for?

• BSc Chemical /Mechanical / Electrical Engineering would be considered advantageous while other relevant qualifications will also be considered
• 10 years of Process engineering experience in specific relation to combustion with a minimum of 5 years’ engineering experience in Energy networks, Turbines, Boilers and or Environmental management.
• Potential candidates should possess a good understanding of boiler maintenance with strong operational experience to optimise boiler efficiency

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As an Assistant Engineering Planner, you will be responsible for:

• Create plant maintenance notifications on SAP and update changes as per the notification request form
• Review all notifications created to ensure all relevant information is captured correctly
• Create work orders from notifications and release them on a weekly basis as per business process for inclusion in the following weeks maintenance plan, adding relevant revision code for the week
• Compile a weekly schedule of all planned work and provide it to superintendents for further action
• Print and issue work orders per artisan and foreman on a weekly basis
• Receive updates from artisans on the progress of work completed and update notification status including hours spent on planned maintenance
• Highlight any action required after the work order has been completed to the planner for further escalation
• Create purchase requisitions for required items and service accept on receipt of items
• Attend shut meetings and take minutes ensuring all items related to the shut are captured i.e. critical paths, rundown start-up, etc, and identify action items arising from the meeting
• Release, print, and issue work orders and work packs to all relevant disciplines two days before the shut
• Print a tracking bar chart for contractors and Sappi resources and assist the planner in updating during the shut
• Draw regular reports on cost, backlog management, plant objectives and targets, and other plant requirements
• Compile and distribute weekly capacity planning reports per maintenance superintendent to highlight and address under utilised / overloaded resources with the relevant superintendent
• Compile, distribute, and analyse a weekly plan compliance report and develop action plans together with the planner and maintenance superintendents
• Adhere to set record-keeping and document control procedures to comply with legal requirements
• Assist with the management of plant and infrastructure maintenance costs
• Analyse maintenance costs to evaluate expenditure and assist area engineers in identifying problem areas
• Assess committed costs and determine if work orders with PAPO (Paperwork outstanding) status can be completed
• Maintain high levels of housekeeping within in area of work

What are we looking for?

• NQF level 4 qualification (Matric / N3)
• 1-2 years of relevant experience within an engineering environment
• Computer literacy (MS Office)
• A recognized trade test certificate will be considered advantageous 
• SAP PM knowledge and proficiency together with Awareness of the OHS Act and lockout procedures will be considered advantageous 

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As a Laboratory Analyst(Shift), you will be responsible to: 

• Accurately analyse various samples using standard laboratory techniques
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
• Evaluate the quality of results obtained prior to reporting and take relevant actions on deviations
• Calibrates and verifies the accuracy of all relevant equipment before the commencement of the shift
• Comply with all ISO methods for the test performed
• Testing final product for sale purposes
• Analyse and report special samples requested by the plant
• Enter results into the computer using Laboratory Information System (LIS) software program
• Hand over analytical testing that is in progress to the next analyst
• Accountable for the correct use of PPE, housekeeping, and general safety applicable to tests performed
• Identification, communication and mitigation of risks

What are we looking for?

Relevant Qualifications & Experience

• Matric with Maths and Physical Science/ N3 Pulp and Paper
• Chemistry/ Lab related qualification will be advantageous
• 2 years of Laboratory experience in the Pulp and Paper industry
• Computer Literacy (MS Office)

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As a Sales Administrator, you will be responsible for:

Customer Service and Order Management:

• Acting as the primary point of contact for customers, addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and managing expectations promptly and professionally.
• Processing and managing customer orders accurately, ensuring adherence to delivery timelines and resolving any potential conflicts.
• Determining Estimated Time of Delivery (ETD) based on customer requirements and vessel availability, aligning with agreed procedures.
• Collaborating closely with internal teams, including sales, production, logistics, and finance, to coordinate order fulfillment and address customer-related issues.
• Liaising with the Planning Department to allocate resources, secure block space, and prioritize urgent orders.

Logistics and Documentation:

• Timely release of orders to the shipping department for booking and shipment.
• Proactive communication with customers regarding order status, shipping updates, and any potential delays.
• Managing customer accounts, including capturing detailed shipping information and maintaining accurate records.
• Investigating and resolving customer complaints, working with internal teams to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Identifying opportunities to improve customer service processes and suggesting enhancements to streamline operations.
• Maintaining accurate customer records and documentation in SAP.
• Staying up-to-date with industry trends, market dynamics, and customer requirements.

Financial and Administrative Tasks:

• Preparing pro-forma invoices and ensuring accurate documentation from freight forwarders.
• Consolidating required export documentation and submitting them to relevant stakeholders within agreed timelines.
• Adhering to Letter of Credit (LC) requirements and deadlines.
• Maintaining a digital filing system for easy access to customer documents.
• Ensuring that acceptable Letters of Credit are in place or that adequate credit exists on customer accounts.

Sales and Operational Support:

• Assisting the Sales Manager with new account setups and monthly sales forecasts.
• Actively participating in Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings to align sales and operations strategies.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field (preferred).
• 5 years Customer Service experience with order capturing, tracking orders to meet customers’ demands within a manufacturing/technical environment (specifically on the outbound Supply chain)
• 2 years’ experience using SAP/APO, SAP DPE, SAP CSR, SCM and BW advantageous
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple responsibilities
• Skilled in conflict resolution with the ability to proactively manage customer’s conflicts
• Proficient in MS Office (i.e. Excel pivot tables)