Jobs Available at Sappi

As a Checker Energy CRF 2 you will be responsible for:

Plant Operation

• Operate the plant to meet required production rates and quality standards.
• Inspect auxiliary equipment once per shift and report any defects or deviations.
• Identify abnormal or emergency conditions and take corrective action per BOP.
• Perform isolations, housekeeping, and collect samples as required.

SHEQ

• Maintain a safe work environment by identifying and managing risks.
• Report all accidents, injuries, and fires immediately to relevant personnel.
• Ensure compliance with safety procedures, BBS practices, and legal requirements.
• Conduct plant walkabouts, achieve BBS targets, and maintain 5S standards. 

Communication & Administration

• Complete SAP PM notifications, work permits, and daily checklists accurately.
• Capture and record plant data for efficiency calculations and deviations. 

Resource Utilisation

• Act as Outside Operator when required, coach/train new staff, and follow PDP.
• Optimise resources to support smooth operations and continuous improvement.

What are we looking for?

• Matric (Grade 12) with maths & Physics or N3 in Pulp and Paper.
• At least a minimum of 1 to 3 Years relevant experience in a production or manufacturing environment.

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As a Saveall Production Assistant - FTC you will be responsible for:

• Perform daily inspections on Kraft linear board, Newsprint and Groundwood thickeners / save-all’s
• Identify any operational or mechanical problems and ensure that all problems are corrected
• Report to Paper Specialist or Shift Superintendent if problems cannot be fixed in the run
• Clean and maintain thickeners/save –all daily
• Ensure that Thickeners/ save- all’s run at maximum efficiency at all time
• Prepare sector bags
• Supervise contractors working on Thickener/save-all during shuts on ground wood
• Ensure good housekeeping
• Comply with all the relevant Safety, health, Environment, and quality requirements

What are we looking for?

• Matric with Maths and Science, or an N3 Engineering Studies, or N3 Pulp and Paper.
• Basic knowledge of Kraft linear board, Newsprint, or Groundwood Operations.
• Mechanical Experience will be advantageous.
• Experience working with Thickeners and save-all systems will be advantageous.

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As a Lignin Attendant, you will be responsible to: 

• Assists the Spray Dryer Operator in the making of Modified lignin Products both Liquid and Powder.
• Runs Batch Reactions of Lignin paying close attention to quality of product produced
• Ensures safe correct dosing of chemicals.
• Ensure valves are correctly lined up for required products and communicates with the Spray Dryer operator to ensure levels are correct and no contamination occurs.
• Monitors reaction exotherm and ensures the correct peak ratios are reached
• Runs 25kg Bagging plant during Modified lignin runs with the assistance of the Assistant SD operator and the SD operator
• Visually checks, Chemical Storage Areas, Pumps, Tanks, conveyors, chutes, and other plant machinery for defects which may require attention and reports to the Production Foreman. (Autonomous Maintenance).
• Maintains housekeeping and safety by keeping his plant clean, tidy, and adhering to safety practices and procedures.
• Assists in the Sodium Sulphite plant.
• Samples liquor after the reaction and pumps the correct tanks based on results.
• Carries out any duties/tasks as requested by supervision
• Reducing waste, Preventing spills
• Meeting environmental targets that apply to his sphere of influence
• Complying with hazardous chemical handling procedures
• Complying with environmental legal requirements

What are we looking for?

Relevant Qualifications & Experience

• Matric and N4 Pulp & Paper Certificate (4 subjects) and/or relevant NQF Level 5 qualification.
• Computer Literate (MS Office Package).
• Minimum 1-2 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably, paper production.
• An S4 in Pulp & Paper or Chemical Engineering would be advantageous

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As Assistant: Nursing, you will be responsible for:

• Scheduling medical examinations, gather patient history, and conduct basic health observations(e.g., blood pressure, pulse, weight, urine, height).
• Performing HCT counselling and testing, as well as audiometry, vision, and lung function assessments (after certification and training).
• Ensuring accurate and confidential medical record-keeping in line with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Educating employees on proper medication use, diet, and holistic health management.
• Coordinating appointments, referrals, and liaise with external healthcare providers.
• Participating in health and safety committees and conduct regular plant inspections to identify and mitigate health risks.
• Supporting substance abuse monitoring, follow-up care, and assist with wound and medical waste management.
• Managing First Aid supplies, provide emergency care, check emergency equipment.

What are we looking for?

• General Nursing Assistant or Basic Ambulance Assistant qualification
• Certificate in Audiometry and Spirometry
• Registration with the South African Nursing Council or Health Professionals Council
• First Aid Level 1 certification
• HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) certificate
• Three years’ experience in Occupational Health or a related industry
• Basic computer skills

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As a Warehouse Assistant, you will be responsible for:

• Preparing wrapping material and wraps reels to standard specifications
• Labelling reels and ensures correct tonnages are processed
• Ensuring plugs, bungs and side discs are used as required
• Reporting any shortage of wrapping material and accessories to Tally Clerk
• Carrying out duties of Tally Clerk during his/her absence
• Assisting on Winder when required
• Assisting with Tissue Machine start up and shuts

What are we looking for?

• Matric (Grade 12) or equivalent
• N1 Pulp and Paper or NCV Level 2
• At least one year experience within a manufacturing environment
• Paper production experience is preferred
• One month reel wrapping experience preferred

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As a Senior Maintenance Engineer, you will be responsible for:

• Responsible for all statutory requirements in the section in accordance with the OHS Act
• Support ISO9020 (Quality Management System), ISO14001 (Environmental Management Standards), ISO50001 (Energy Management System), ), ISO 55001, (Asset Management System), and OHSAS18000 (Health and Safety Management System) for engineering in the section. Educate the team on the requirements and monitor adherence to standards, policies, procedures, and work instructions
• Actively drive the use of plant reliability monitoring techniques to ensure proactive maintenance and eliminate unplanned downtime
• Communicate to the Team the shut objectives, schedule, and budget. Provide daily updates, as scheduled, and alert planners and supervisors of any deviations from the plan, positive or negative. Provide suggestions to correct any deviations or catch-up time lost
• Continuously identify cost-effective design or plant changes that could improve equipment and operational costs in the long term. This could include changes to maintenance schedules, parts, and equipment. Within Sappi's "Limits of Authority" guidelines, prepare the business cases and present them for approval before implementing
• Ensure that there is a good understanding in the team around the impacts of spare stock levels on working capital. Approve the take on or deletion of spares for the section via the XCPIMs system
• Monitor frequency and modes of equipment failures, breakdowns, accidents, and overtime. Drive root cause analysis. Suggest changes to processes and equipment to prevent recurrence
• Manage projects for equipment renewals and capital projects on time and within budget for a whole plant or machine. Comply with the Sappi standard Project Management, Process Standards, and Change Management practices. Check the compliance with these practices across the plant
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings and agree on work focus areas and resolve plant problems as part of the team. Actively build relationships with production teams and encourage team members to do the same
• Participate in thorough and evidence-based Root Cause Analyses in the plant. Call for support from the Lean and/or specialist Engineers for complex cases. Review the evidence, decide on the best course of action, and ensure implementation. If required, build a business case for the required expenditure
• Ensure that equipment Quality Control Plans (QCPs) meet Sappi standards and are in place where appropriate. Develop and review QCPs for new equipment and when an RCA identifies a weakness ensuring that all the engineering disciplines are considered
• Oversee the recruitment, recognition, performance management, remuneration, development, and discipline of the section’s maintenance and production team

What are we looking for?

• BSc/BEng/BTech/Advance Diploma in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering with at least 5 to 10 years of experience as an Electrical/ Mechanical Engineer in a heavy industry/manufacturing environment
• 5 years of experience in managing multidiscipline maintenance teams in a section/area
• Government Certificate of Competency 
• MDP or equivalent would be advantageous
• Paper Machine experience would be advantageous

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As a Process Manager, you will be responsible for : 

• Continually seek opportunities for the enhancement of productivity and quality by applying Lean Manufacturing Principles.
• Manages the plant operations to ensure the optimum utilisation of all resources.
• Manages the shut process for effective execution.
• Reviewing, initiating and implementing BOP standards and procedures.
• Drive and mobilise the shift team and MDT to achieve OEE targets.
• Investigating and preventing CSR's.
• Ensuring the correct items are in stock to mitigate production risks.
• Set goals and appraises immediate subordinates.
• Ensures competency of all subordinates through adequate training, assessments and coaching.
• Coordinate and engage the MDT - prioritise work amongst all disciplines.
• Manage risks & ensure alignment between disciplines & ensure investigations are completed timeously.
• Ensure that reoccurrences of incidents are prevented & conduct RCA's & incidental work.
• Effective communication to all shifts i.e. strategy formulation, team goals, training plans & day-to-day interventions.
• Implement changes as and when required
• Holding people accountable through engagement and implement disciplinary action where necessary.
• Forecasts and prepares annual capital, fixed and variable cost budgets, controls these and reports monthly on status thereof.
• Overtime management and reporting thereof.
• Ensures that the section complies in all respects with the relevant statutory requirements (OHS Act, Environmental Regulations) by implementing the necessary control measures and rectifying non-conformances.
• Ensures plant’s conformance to the OHSAct 18000, ISO 9002 and ISO 14000 systems
• Communicates with the internal / external suppliers / customers
• Responds to customer feedback and takes corrective action when required.
• Understand & comply with all SHEQ requirements of the job.
• Carries out BBS Observations
• Identify and take corrective action in terms of SHEQ conditions and hazards.
• Maintains a high level of good housekeeping in the workplace at all times.
• Drive sustainability targets i.e. (fibre loss/energy usage and water usage)

  What are we looking for? 

• BSc Degree or BTech or equivalent
• Computer Literate (Complete MS Office Package)
• SAP would be advantageous
• 5 - 8 years’ experience within a manufacturing environment.
• 2 years at supervisory level
• 3 years’ experience in a paper mill production environment would be advantageous.