Quality jobs in Südafrika

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At Sappi, we are a leading global provider with a reputation for delivering high-quality sustainable Woodfibre products and solutions for the global markets. We lead through our values centred around integrity, courage, making smart decisions which we execute with speed. We are seeking unique people who believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

We’re on the lookout for a Divisional Planning Manager to lead and manage the divisional planning function for Sappi's forestry operations, ensuring the development and implementation of strategic and tactical plans for a sustainable and cost-effective fibre supply to Sappi's mills. This role is central to balancing the long-term health of the forest with the immediate and future demands of the business and to develop and maintain planning systems used to manage the timber resource for Sappi forests that will provide sound information for decision making.

• Overseeing the development, integrity and maintenance of the forestry planning software used by Sappi Forests. Prescribes data capture procedures to maintain standards, conduct quality control of the data as it applies to growing stock. Monitor and adjust processes to accurately estimate future growth.
• Adherence to best practices and output data is conducted through formal audits, comparison of actual and planned results and through "reasonable" checks on output of the system itself.
• Lead the development and execution of long-term strategic plans for the forestry division. Draws up long-term (20 year) timber supply plan using the data that resides in the planning system. The format of these plans vary depending on the application required, the 2 basic types are plans based on allowable cut or plans tailored to meet a specific set of demands. Software developed to simulate the harvest scheduling process (HSS) is used.
• Ensure that tactical plans (first 3 to 5 years) tie back to the first 3 to 5 years used in the 20 year plan through an iterative process between end users and regional planners, the latter interacts with regional operational staff, some intervention may be required.
• Conduct ad hoc exercises to quantify available volume and products for specific projects.
• Facilitates timber sourcing meeting between stakeholders, matches supply and demand from own, resources and project Khulisa suppliers.
• Extract standing ton information for Sappi RSA used in plantation fair value.
• Manages effect of various forms of damage on plantation growing stock, quantify volume loss and draws up motivation for adjustments which is scrutinized by external auditors.
• Supervises a mensurationist and database administrator. Must have clear understanding of mensuration and how PSP (permanent sample plot) program will provide data required for growth modeling. Understand data availability and reports that can be created to serve users requirements.
• Compile and manage the departmental budget, ensuring that costs are well-managed and contained. Draws up budget and controls expenditure.
• Oversee the gathering of information through enumeration, field surveys, and GPS work to ensure accurate data for planning. Manage and develop contractors responsible for enumeration and GPS work.
• Provide input for financial forecasting and analysis related to forestry operations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the planning team, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Report progress on key statistics (e.g., areas, species, harvested and planted areas) to management and operational teams.

• Degree or diploma in Forestry or related science qualification
• 8 years minimum experience in the Forest or related industry with at least 2 years in forestry planning
• Strong computer literacy with in-depth working knowledge of MS Office
• Understanding of forest growth and yield modelling and measurement will be advantageous.
• Working knowledge of MicroForest and LiDAR technologies will be advantageous.

• Opportunity to work within a global organisation that continues to thrive in a rapidly changing world even after 80 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 wellbeing benefits.