Management Forester - Sudwala

Sappi; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Sappi is seeking an experienced Management Forester to plan, execute and achieve operational estate management and fibre production targets within resource and SHEQ parameters. You will ensure sustainable and low-cost fibre supply to Sappi mills and external customers, while leading safety cultures and coordinating harvest operations.

The role emphasizes planning, risk assessment, budget management and stakeholder relations across plantations, with opportunities to travel and develop

Qualifications

• National Diploma in Forestry or related qualification.
• Minimum of three years relevant experience.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Build, maintain and reinforce a “predict and prevent” safety culture in all integrated operations.
• Inspect operations regularly to identify risks and ensure timely action (blanking & pest control, coppice management).
• Plan and conduct regular field inspections to maximize yields within cost constraints.
• Ensure plantations use the Fire Risk Management System (FRMS) to identify risks and implement fire control procedures.
• Develop a tactical plan and ensure annual plan of operations complies with standards/SLAs.
• Develop a pre-harvest plan per compartment with the Contractor and Silviculture.
• Conduct risk assessments per compartment to mitigate risks.
• Ensure harvesting budget is managed to meet sales target tons/day.
• Coordinate with Roads Engineer to compile annual tactical road maintenance plan.
• Schedule short-haul and loading operations to ensure timely rail/road transport.
• Maintain company assets and ensure hygiene and legal compliance within budget.
• Maintain relationships with communities and stakeholders to uphold company image and mitigate risks.

Education

National Diploma in Forestry or related qualification

Job description

We are hiring!

We’re on the lookout for an experienced Management Forester to plan, execute & achieve the operational estate management, harvesting objectives & targets for fibre production within resource & SHEQ parameters to ensure a sustainable and low cost fibre supply to Sappi mills and external customers.

As a Management Forester, You Will Be Responsible For

• Build, maintain and reinforce a “predict and prevent” safety culture in all integrated operations
• Inspect operations regularly to identify risks & ensure that timeous action (blanking & pest control, coppice management) is undertaken.
• Plan & conduct regular field inspections to ensure that crops, through the timing of operations (weed control, pest & disease management), achieve maximum yields within cost constraints.
• Ensure that plantations use the Fire Risk Management System (FRMS) to identify risks. Record & implement fire control procedures in order to ensure the effective protection of people, plantations and other assets from forest fires.
• Develop a tactical plan & ensure that the annual plan of operations for both commercial and open areas comply with standards and service level agreements
• Develop a pre-harvest plan per compartment in collaboration with the Contractor and Silviculture.
• Conduct a risk assessment per compartment in order to mitigate potential risks.
• Ensure that the Harvesting budget is managed effectively by ensuring sales target tons/per day is achieved.
• Compile in conjunction with Roads Engineer, annual tactical road maintenance plan.
• Scheduling of short-haul and loading operations to ensure rail/road transport is released on time.
• Ensure that company assets such as buildings, villages and company houses are maintained and managed effectively according to set standards (hygiene & legal compliance) and within budget constraints.
• Ensure that relations with communities, other internal and external stakeholders are effectively maintained and managed in order to ensure company image is upheld, risks mitigated and relationships enhanced.

What are we looking for?

• National Diploma in Forestry or related qualification
• Minimum of three years relevant experience.
• Valid driver’s license.

What’s in it for you?

• Opportunity to work within a global organisation that continues to thrive in a rapidly changing world even after 90 years of existence.
• Learning and development programmes to fast-track your career within Sappi.
• Opportunities to travel (dependent on upon the role).
• Market leading leave benefits.
• Employee well-being benefits.