Job Opportunities at Sappi

As a Temporary Reliever Chemical you will be responsible for:

• Takes and hands over shift.
• Operate process/equipment according to best operating practices.
• Complete section specific interventions/initiatives as planned and agreed for all the identified positions for the specific section.
• Relieves operators and carries out all tasks prescribed for these positions.
• Assists the Foreman/Operating Staff at breakdowns and in the supervision of staff when necessary.
• Ensure accurate reporting by recording all incidents in the shift log book.
• Reports all breakdowns, faulty equipment to Foreman.
• Attend progress meetings with the section training representative, line supervisor and/or mentor, coach and act on any remedial action and/or additional requirements.
• Participates in shift activities (5 why problem-solving etc).
• Understand the SHEQ requirements of the job.
• Identify and take corrective action in terms of SHEQ conditions and hazards.
• Comply with all relevant SHEQ requirements.
• Maintains a high level of good housekeeping in the workplace at all times.
• Conducts regular BBS Observations.
• Allow current employees to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills (section specific and formal qualification) for his/her current position,
• Allow identified current employees who meets the minimum requirements for his/her current position (section specific and formal qualification) to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills (formal qualification and section specific) for the next position.

What are we looking for?

• National Diploma in Pulp and Paper or Chemical Engineering.
• Degree in Pulp and Paper or Chemical Engineering is advantageous.
• 0-3 months experience as Process Trainee/Production Intern

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As a Safety Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Ensure that the Sappi Safety system is implemented and functional in own and contractor operations
• Assist contractors with the implementation of and compliance with the safety system 
• Fully understand the structure, function and requirements of the Sappi Safety Management System.
• Know the content of the Compliance manual and assist forester with the implementation of the Contractor Safety system
• Be proficient in HIRA and conduct detailed Task Risk assessments and implement mitigation actions
• Communicate and facilitate changes or updates to the Safety System as required
• Understand reporting requirements and analyse trends emerging from reports 
• Use incident trends to identify required action and implement programs to ensure effective intervention reducing incidents and injuries (Own and Contractor ops)
• Conduct, analyze and report on third party audits and ensure follow up on corrective actions from all audits pertaining to Health and Safety
• Measure and analyze injury performance indicators with the objective of introducing continuous improvement in the LTIFR and other injury indexes
• Report monthly on action plans, interventions and progress
• Update Regional Risk assessment for issues raised on plantation/District level 
• Be proficient in the RCAT and corrective action system
• Facilitate submission of reports for all LTI and fatalities
• Conduct H&S audits, open deviations and write reports
• Visit plantations on an adhoc basis and conduct spot checks
• Conduct safety awareness induction training to new contractors
• Monitor personnel safety programs and training
• Coordinate initial first aid scenarios on plantation level
• Facilitate an adequate emergency plan for the Kwambonambi office
• Ensure that all plantation staff are constantly aware of contact details and procedures of closest relevant emergency response services and check procedures during audits 
• Conduct regular inspections to ensure safety standards and procedures are adhered to
• Liaise with suppliers of safety equipment to keep abreast of technology and equipment development in the safety field 
• Coordinate safety campaigns
• Ensure that the legal requirements (OHS Act/COID Act) are complied with in all respects
• Facilitate the survey and audit process 
• Audit plantation office emergency plans
• Conduct Internal Estate Management and Silviculture RMS Health and Safety Audits on all plantations and relevant contractors 
• Conduct annual internal audits to ensure all OHS/COID Act requirements are met
• Be present and assist at Department of Labour audits on plantation offices and contractors
• Be present and assist with OHSAS 180001, ISO 14001 and SABS external audits and present proof of legal requirements to auditors
• Collect weekly and monthly safety stats
• Coordinate safety IRCA training 
• Ensure registers are maintained
• Ensure documentation and investigations are forwarded to the Department of Labour/RMA
• Update all legal own staff safety appointments as needed
• Determine and distribute a monthly “safety theme of the month” and SHEQ Alerts
• Attend monthly area management meetings, SHEQ meetings and steering committee meetings

What are we looking for?

• National Diploma Safety Management or related NQF Level 6 qualification in Safety. 
• A Bachelor’s Degree will be an advantage.  
• SAMTRAC course will be an advantage. 
• Computer Literacy is essential (Windows and MS Office). 
• SAP and Isometrix literacy is preferred.
• At  least 5 years relevant experience
• Valid drivers license

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As a Quality Liaison Superintendent, you will be responsible for: 

• Ensuring effective and efficient operation of Main Laboratory, Quality Laboratory and Pulp Labouratory in accordance to ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 standards
• Creating consistent total quality culture by actively promoting quality management inside and outside the organization
• Monitoring deviants of process control for uniformity and compliance to quality requirements.
• Decision making on all non- conforming products
• Assisting with root cause analysis and ensuring that corrective action is taken and  feedback is provided to relevant parties
• Being a Custodian BR HAZZCHEM
• Conducting inspections to ensure that quality process standards, work instructions, procedures and policies are fully implemented
• Leading, planning and co-ordinating employees participation and services related to all quality aspects in the manufacturing processes
• Management, training and development of employees in the Laboratory environment

What are we looking for?

• Matric plus BSc Chemistry or National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry
• 3 years Laboratory or Production Management experience in a manufacturing or Industrial environment
• 3 years Quality Management experience in a manufacturing or Industrial environment
• Laboratory and Quality Management experience in Pulp and paper Industry is an advantage
• SAP Knowledge and experience is an advantage

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As a Chip Screen Operator, you will be responsible to:

• Conducts Plant inspection to ensure that the equipment is in a safe working condition.
• Operates fork lift to transport chipper Knives, bed knives.
• Prepare Gum Plant from Screening line to Silo’s for start-up and shut down according to production and quality requirements.
• Monitors chip screening operations and reports on quality defects e.g.(high fines, excessive slivers and cards)
• Assist Gum chipper Operator to clear blockages in chipper spout, conveyors etc.
• Assist changes knives, bed knife as and when required.
• Assist Engineering staff with plant maintenance e.g. changing knife holders, Wear plates, conveyor idlers change, etc.
• Conducts Isolation permits on request from Eng. And Cleaning Staff.
• Operates Over Head Crane to clear blockages.
• Monitor Silo levels.
• Cleans magnets from steel and other debris.
• Cleans bark strainer and sand settling out bays below Aero conveyor and stairway.
• Reports on all defects and equipment malfunctions to Gum Chipper Operator, Pulp Foreman and Eng. Personnel.
• Regularly Inspects equipment for preventative maintenances purposes.
• Complete section checklist and log book

What are we looking for?

Relevant Qualifications & Experience

• Matric and/or N3 Pulp and Paper Certificate (4 subjects) and/or relevant NQF Level 4 Qualification
• Computer Literacy (MS Office Package)
• Minimum (1) year Plant Operations Experience

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As a Projects and Development Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Project Development Coordination: Collaborate with stakeholders to define project scopes, develop budgets, and create execution plans.
• Project Execution Management: Oversee project execution, ensuring adherence to technical specifications, schedules, and budget controls.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate potential risks in process design, scheduling, and resource allocation, working with experts to formulate action plans.
• Integration Management: Drive project commissioning and training initiatives for seamless integration of new equipment and thorough documentation handover.
• Project Governance: Align project objectives with organizational goals, report progress, and ensure compliance with governance and procurement practices.
• Leadership and Team Development: Provide clear direction, foster team integration, and support career development through goal-setting and feedback.
• Cost Control: Develop and execute short- and long-term budget plans, consolidating departmental capital and operational costs forecasts.
• Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance: Ensure compliance with safety regulations and promote continuous improvement for a safe work environment.

Essential Qualifications:

• BSc/Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering
• Government Certificate of Competency – Factories
• Registered Professional Engineer
• Relevant management qualifications will be advantageous
• Ten (10) years of project management experience with more than 5 years in a lead role

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As a Data Architect, you will be responsible for:

Data Architecture

• Translate business requirements from all regions and areas of the business into architectural requirements and technical specifications, including data streams, integration, transformation and appropriate data storage options.
• Define the data architecture framework standards and principles, including data modelling/transformation, metadata, security, reference and master data, change management and governance.
• Design, develop and maintain data flows for data sources, data transformation and data consumption - including the processes used to plan, specify, enable, create, acquire, transform, maintain, use, archive, retrieve, control, and purge data.
• Collaborate and coordinate with multiple departments, stakeholders, partners, and external vendors to achieve

Operational management

• Assess best practices and propose procedures and safeguards to constantly ensure data integrity and data availability.
• Work independently as well as with the global team to prioritise business requirements and develop time estimates and implementation plans.
• Effectively communicate with all stakeholders on the status of all initiatives
• Establish and maintain governance to ensure full compliance of audit, controls and security requirements.

Interfaces

• This role will interface with internal and external business partners, system integration leads, functional leads and development leads, customers and vendors in order to fulfil the stated primary goal. 
• Build constructive relationships with internal and external business partners and with suppliers/contractors.
• Collaborate with global business partners in identifying opportunities to streamline their operations.
• This role requires strong people skills, with the ability to conceive, portray and articulate the big data picture to all stakeholders

Support

• Facilitate a Sappi data driven culture by ensuring data is accessible and digestible according to business requirement and priorities.

Continuous Improvement & innovation

• Support the culture of continuous improvement through team member engagement, training, coaching, and innovation.
• Identify, review, and promote creative ideas and approaches to improve data democratization.
• Ensure optimal utilization of technology solutions, and benefit realization for solutions deployed.

What are we looking for?

• Minimum University Degree in Information Technology.
• Masters Degree would be an added advantage.
• 5-8 years experience in Data Engineering and Architecture.
• Strong experience and skill level in designing and building robust data solutions
• Experience in SQL and data transformation (ETL)
• Ability to write clean, maintainable, and robust code in either Python, Scala or Java. Knowledge of R is a plus
• Exposure to established and emerging data technologies.
• Ability to multitask and manage workload with minimal supervision.
• Ability to collaborate and build relationships with people at all levels
• Strong analytical skills with heightened problem-solving ability.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Familiarity with data science workflows and experience with micro services and container technologies like Docker is a plus
• Familiarity with citizen data science tools like Rapidminer and visualisation tools like Tableau is a plus
• This role requires innovation-oriented skills and exposure to big data technologies and architecture options.
• Development experience in data solutions is prerequisite in order to extract and transform data from a variety of data sources according to business requirements for BI and Advanced Analytics purposes.
• Must be willing to travel.

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As a Lab Assistant, you will be responsible to:

• Take samples accurately on an hourly basis at various points in the various plants.
• Prepare in-process and final pulp samples for analytical testing.
• Liaise with production personnel w.r.t. safety problems in the plant.
• Operate instrumentation such as: Brightness meter.
• Evaluate the quality of results obtained before reporting results
• Comply with all ISO methods for the tests performed.
• Analyse the final product to declare production in terms of oven dry tons (Unbleached Uptake reels).
• Analyse and report special samples requested by the plant.
• Enter results accurately into the computer using the Laboratory Information System software program.
• Accountable for the correct use of PPE, housekeeping and general safety applicable to sampling and tests performed.

Requirements:

• Matric with Mathematics and Physical Science, or N3 in Pulp and Paper.
• A qualification in Chemistry or a related lab field is advantageous.
• Experience in a laboratory or the pulp and paper industry is advantageous.

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

Scoping and Business Case Development:

• Stay updated on the latest technologies.
• Review mill processes to identify cost reduction, sustainability improvement and production enhancement opportunities.
• Collaborate with production teams, process engineers, and other disciplines to develop business cases for medium to complex strategic projects.
• Assist regional strategic teams in developing capital plans.
• Coordinate and participate in pre-feasibility studies, ensuring accurate documentation and validation.
• Consolidate process scope documents and ensure early identification and approval of stakeholders.

Project Design and Management:

• Liaise with external consultants for process solutions when necessary.
• Coordinate the design process with engineers, production teams, and specialists, reviewing designs for completeness and quality.
• Ensure integration of process impacts across plant areas.
• Identify and address design deficiencies.
• Ensure compliance with environmental standards and assess legislative impacts on current and future processes.
• Prepare high-level designs or oversee large-scale engineering projects, supporting with internal teams or consultants.
• Contribute to PPC reports, board papers, and project close-out processes.

Process Documentation Standards:

• Collaborate with engineers to ensure regional standards (e.g., PM2) are met.
• Develop standards for process documentation, including PFDs, P&IDs, mass and energy balances, and control philosophies.
• Ensure process documentation is shared across teams to minimize rework.

Risk Management and Environmental Control:

• Incorporate environmental standards in all designs and assess the impact of legislative changes on processes.
• Conduct and review risk studies (SWIFT, HAZOP).
• Evaluate control elements from a cost-effectiveness perspective and recommend improvements.

Driving Process Change:

• Work with project managers to scope change management actions, identify stakeholders, and assist in developing communication and training materials.
• Oversee the commissioning of new equipment and processes, providing subject-matter expertise for training material development.
• Collaborate throughout implementation, gathering feedback on process successes and risks, and adjusting designs as needed to ensure efficiency improvements are achieved.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or BTech in Chemical Engineering.
• 5 – 8 years of process experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record in process development/improvement and capital projects.
• Experience in the Pulp and Paper industry is advantageous.
• Professional registration with ECSA is advantageous.