Manager, Maintenance (Reliability)

Sappi; Ngodwana; On-site; ZAR 1,796,000 - 2,612,000; Full time

Job summary

Sappi Somerset Mill is seeking an experienced Reliability Manager to lead reliability and asset performance programs at one of North America’s premier integrated pulp and paper facilities.

This leadership role focuses on improving equipment reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and long-term asset strategy across a complex manufacturing operation, mentoring engineers and fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field required.
• 10+ years of reliability, maintenance, or asset management experience in heavy industry.
• 5+ years of leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of RCM, RCFA, predictive maintenance, and rotating equipment.
• Experience in pulp & paper, steel, mining, chemical, or power generation industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead mill-wide reliability and asset management strategy.
• Improve OEE, uptime, and maintenance performance.
• Drive predictive, preventive, and precision maintenance programs.
• Lead RCFA and chronic failure elimination efforts.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
• Oversee roll shop reliability and performance.
• Develop and mentor reliability engineers, planners, and technicians.
• Champion continuous improvement and data-driven decision making.

Skills

Leadership

Reliability engineering

RCFA

Predictive maintenance

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Vibration analysis

RCFA

CMRP certification

Job description

Sappi North America
Sappi Somerset, is one of the largest, most advanced and high performing mills in North America with one of the lowest mill emissions. Our packaging papers are suited across a range of market segments including health and beauty, confectionery, premium beverages and food packaging. We manufacture labels for cans and jars and our graphic papers are used in direct mail, magazines and catalogs. Nearly $1 billion in the last decade has been invested to expand into sustainable and renewable SBS board grades for folding carton and foodservice, including the rebuilds of PM1 in 2018 and PM2, to be completed in 2025. The Somerset mill focuses on safety, sustainability, quality, and innovation.

Sappi Somerset Mill is seeking an experienced Reliability Manager to lead reliability and asset performance programs at one of North America’s premier integrated pulp and paper facilities.

This leadership role is responsible for improving equipment reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and long-term asset strategy across a complex manufacturing operation. The Reliability Manager will oversee Reliability Engineering, Predictive Maintenance, Precision Maintenance, RCFA, and Paper Machine Roll Shop functions while supporting the development of Operator Driven Reliability (ODR) and driving a strong culture of safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

What You’ll Do

• Lead mill-wide reliability and asset management strategy
• Improve OEE, uptime, and maintenance performance
• Drive predictive, preventive, and precision maintenance programs
• Lead RCFA and chronic failure elimination efforts
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams
• Oversee roll shop reliability and performance
• Develop and mentor reliability engineers, planners, and technicians
• Champion continuous improvement and data-driven decision making

Leadership & Team Development

This role is central to developing the next generation of technical leaders. You will:

• Mentor and develop engineers and maintenance professionals
• Build training programs and support certifications (CMRP, vibration, lubrication, etc.)
• Strengthen the pipeline of future engineering and technical talent

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field
• 10+ years of reliability, maintenance, or asset management experience in heavy industry
• 5+ years of leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of RCM, RCFA, predictive maintenance, and rotating equipment
• Experience in pulp & paper, steel, mining, chemical, or power generation industries

Preferred Qualifications

• CMRP certification
• Vibration analysis or similar condition monitoring certification
• Experience with Operator Driven Reliability (ODR)
• Paper machine roll or roll shop experience

Why Sappi Somerset?

Sappi Somerset is a world-class manufacturing facility committed to safety, sustainability, and operational excellence. This role offers the opportunity to lead transformational reliability work in a highly supported environment where you will:

• Shape reliability strategy and long-term asset performance
• Mentor and grow future engineering leaders
• Leverage strong technical support teams and corporate resources
• Build and refine structured reliability systems and processes
• Drive measurable impact across a complex mill operation
• Work within a highly supported organization with established resources

This is a leadership role focused on building capability, improving systems, and developing people.

Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job. Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ABOUT SAPPI

Sappi isa leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can.