We are hiring!

We’re on the lookout for an experienced Area Development Manager - Technical to promote, co-ordinate and facilitate the identification and development of technological solutions for Harvesting and Silviculture to best optimise the available resources in the KZN Region

As an Area Development Manager - Technical, you will be responsible for:

• Manage and guide implementation of ISO9001 (Quality Management System), ISO14001 (Environmental Management Standards), Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) and OHSAS18001 (Health and Safety Management System) in Development projects to meet compliance standards.
• Oversee Fire Risk Management and ensure effective protection of people, plantation & other assets from forest fires through fire contract negotiation and stakeholder engagement.
• Maintains relationships between neighbours and other companies in the Fire Protection Association to enhance fire protection measures and response capabilities.
• Manage corrective actions, to gaps identified in audit findings on all fire reports and fire post mortems and ensure that findings are closed out satisfactorily and timeously.
• Supervise and oversee the formulating of strategies and tactics for effective fire risk management to ensure the effective protection of people, plantation & other assets from forest fires.
• Transfer knowledge of successfully demonstrated practices from other Sappi plantations and outside companies in order to improve operational practices and induce a measure of divisional standardisation (included are Divisional Integrated Management System (DIMS) projects, Best Operating Practices, Systems, Procedures and Technical Projects). 
• Drive the integration of Harvesting and Silviculture operations by liaising with various stakeholders (Area & Forestry Managers, General Manager, Contractors, etc).
• Liaise and collaborate with various stakeholders to establish and manage ideas for technical innovation.  Communicate these ideas to management team and Contractor Leadership Forums.  Establish a Technical Review Forum.
• Mentor and motivate staff and contractors to apply latest available information and technical knowledge to improve cost effective production.
• Obtains, leads and co-ordinates trials and development related tasks with Contractors and various plantations.
• Consult with Forestry Managers and contractors with developing new and improved methods, systems and processes. 
• Disseminates information on operations to the regions by actively gleaning information from literature surveys, from people sent on overseas visits and from visitors visiting South Africa.
• Develop and standardise Silviculture and Harvesting equipment as well as the co—ordination and modernisation thereof by liaising with various stakeholders.
• Develops, implements and maintains a system to identify benchmarking opportunities on a monthly basis.  Leads benchmarking project teams to formally benchmark operations and systems and keeps a record thereof.
• Initiates and participates in relevant projects based on regional priorities.  Includes integrated management systems and multidisciplinary teams. Participates in and facilitates technical committees.
• Liaison with outside organisations such as The Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR), Forestry, chemical suppliers and equipment manufacturers, etc.   Investigate new technical issues and consult with outside specialists by initiating contact with these authorities and directing partnering relations with them. 
• Liaises with research for the maintenance of strategic trials and the updating of data by ensuring operational compliance and routine follow-ups. 
• Initiates the annual review of the productivity standards by eliciting response from operational, research and nursery authorities and forwarding these for consideration to relevant stakeholders.
• Continually review and update Risk Management System procedures and standards and communicate new and revised information to the various stakeholders.
• Maintain a quality measurement and reporting system and communicate these to the various stakeholders.
• Engage with auditors to moderate and ensure divisional conformity to Technical Standards.
• Highlights non-conformances identified during field visits to the Business Manager and management team through a systematic communication structure which includes reports, photographs and samples.
• Implements quality assurance through all stages of operations by frequent visitation and monitoring all quality assurance, cost, delivery, environment, safety and people related aspects. Notes deviations, highlights opportunities for improvement and monitors implementation in the region.  
• Ensure that the most effective cost control methods are identified and implemented for all regional operations.
• Lead the negotiation of sustainable rates for new contracts and annual rate increases with Contractors and Suppliers.  Inform the Business Manager so that various management systems can be updated with the negotiated rates.
• Participate and give technical input into Three/Five year tenders and assist in the evaluation of tenders and allocation of contracts.
• Collaborate with the Mpumalanga Business Manager in the budget process to ensure that cost provisions in the budget are aligned with best practices.
• Attend Extension and Research meetings to consult and recommendations from a Technical Forestry Operational perspective
• Informs Research of forestry problems and requirements.  Assist stakeholders to work towards solutions to resolve these issues.
• Attend relevant Steering Committee Meetings in a technical capacity and action and report on items raised.
• Manage and oversee the recruitment, recognition, performance management, remuneration, development and discipline of the Development team.
• Encourage and create development opportunities using the development plan on the Learning Management System (LMS)
• Coach and mentor the team by creating an environment of collaboration and responsibility.
• Support and oversee the formulating strategies and tactics for effective fire risk management to ensure the effective protection of people, plantation & other assets from forest fires.

What are we looking for? 

• National Diploma in Forestry, Agriculture or Horticulture
• Bachelors’ Degree in Forestry or related disciplines would be preferred
• At least 7 years relevant experience

What’s in it for you?

• 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 well-being benefits.