Job Summary

Sappi Forests requires a Fibre Supply and Resources Manager KZN to lead the Timber Procurement, Sales, Marketing, Logistics, Private suppliers/Growers and Independent contractors’ processess with the focus on improving and optimising the profitability and sustainability through best Forests and Timber Supply Chain Management practice. Direct the KZN Logistics and Resources team and enable regionally aligned Timber Procurement, Sales and Logistics business processes, systems, benchmarks, management reports, contracts management, policies and procedures. Identify opportunities and implement proven, effective, cost reducing timber procurement, logistics and inventory management enabling business requirements.

This role reports in to the General Manager – Forestry KZN.

The main responsibilities of this job are:

Timber Procurement and Logistics Business Processes

• Manage team activities, by allocating the resources and monitoring the timber procurement and logistics processes of the team to provide the necessary guidance where non-conformance or inefficiencies exist.
• Identify critical timber supply chain risks by proactive assessment of the incoming timber to create alternative plans for timeous resolution of identified risks.
• Align and implement a commercially effective timber procurement and logistics strategies and framework for KZN Forestry as per the regional timber sourcing process by auditing the effectiveness of the framework to provide input to the General Manager should inefficiencies be identified.
• Implement tactical timber sourcing and logistics plans for the Sappi internal and external markets by staying abreast of the timber sourcing and logistics requirements and understanding the long main timber items for continuous timber supply.
• Manage the resolution of all timber production critical to procurement and logistics related issues by reviewing the performance and effectiveness of the team’s delivery times and arrangements to align with market requirements.
• Assist in timber inventory management business requirements by directing the team to use these requirements for continued implementation practice.
• Influence timber optimization on forests and mills stockholding by advising on supplier timber stocks and the knowledge of short and long main timber items for continuous timber supply.
• Ensure the implementation of Outgrowers Schemes and Chain of Custody policies and processes by reviewing these processes and systems for KZN Forests, Private Suppliers and Markets for compliance purposes.
• Ensure the compliance and use of the processes and systems by the teams is audited and corrective actions are in place to minimise non-conformances.
• Identify opportunities to standardise enterprise resources planning systems by reviewing and maintaining a centralised master supplier/grower, hauliers and material database to provide input to the General Manager should any suppliers/growers and haulier have a regionally appropriate timber procurement and logistics footprint.
• Establish and maintain co-operative relationships with major forestry and timber transport companies, through long-term agreements with the company by implementing and monitoring these according to policies and procedures for cost effective and long-term sustainable timber supply.
• Monitor hauliers and timber suppliers / growers’ performance in relation to the relevant transportation and timber supply agreements by providing the necessary written communication to the growers, timber suppliers and hauliers in line with the requirements and standards of the timber procurement and logistics processes for contractual obligations purposes.
• Ensure that intelligence is gathered on the capabilities of local timber suppliers / growers, hauliers around Sappi Forests and its markets by proactively building relationships with potential suppliers and hauliers in order to be a business of choice.
• Manage the KZN Forests softwood Marketing, Sales and Logistics consistent with the species conversion strategy for income generation.

Budgets and cost control

• Determine the required KZN Logistics and Resources department budget for the financial year by assessing the previous year’s requirements and factor in any additions or changes to the practice for the coming year to align the department with regional objectives
• Understand the KZN Forestry incidental budgets and guide the team by providing input for the Procurement of timber, Logistics and related services.
• Support the execution of the KZN Forests capital expenditure process for approved projects

Reporting

• Consolidate the KZN Logistics and Forestry Resources team’s data and report on the monthly results by highlighting any concerns and achievements in order to identify the way in which these will be addressed including enterprise development reporting
• Ensure critical reporting on timber supplies and deliveries are communicated to the Forestry Area Managers, Project managers which lead to the review of the delivery plans.

Lead the KZN Logistics and Forestry Resources Team

• Oversee the performance management, recognition, and discipline of the KZN Logistics and Forestry Resources teams.
• Take direct responsibility for the development of direct reports while also assessing the development standards of their reports. Ensure the required development opportunities are allocated onto the learning management system (LMS)
• Coach the team, by creating an environment of collaboration and responsibility.

Safety

• Ensure the KZN Logistics and Forestry Resources teams’ compliance to all SHEQ policies, procedures, best practices and work instructions.
• Educate the team on the requirements and monitor adherence to standards, policies and procedures.

• Manage all timber supply contracts with timber suppliers viz forestry enterprise development agreements FEDA and Khulisa agreements in line with the entailed contractual terms to ensure sustainable timber supply into various Sappi markets; and economic and skills growth to timber suppliers.
• Develop, co-ordinate and monitor timber deliveries against the sales plan for the area based on available timber volumes on the APO and active Spot timber contracts to meet market demand ensure rateable and sustainable timber deliveries into Sappi timber markets and improve suppliers profit margins.
• Maintain and enhance Sappi’s public image, form cordial relations and establish synergies with all stakeholders to increase Sappi’s timber foot print
• Manage loan movement by monitoring delivery against APO in line with budget plans, silviculture is an advancement function and harvesting a recovery function
• Maintain supplier loyalty through regular planned site visitations, give technical advice; counsel and keep supplier informed of industry/organisational changes competition activity
• Establish an accurate base rate for payment of harvesting and transport contractors through engagement with relevant key role players to establish fair rate and mutual inclusive growth
• Ensure knowledge transfer to supplier/contractors and support the development of local enterprises and suppliers, identify potential and engage in the training to ensure effective development and sustainable growth of rural economy.
• Ensure compliance to established company standards “RMS/OHSAct” and rules by educating; infield audits and counselling subordinates to maintain the accountability and professional discipline
• Develop supplier technical and economic independence, get suppliers actively involved in the running of their affairs and encourage saving attitude to ensure continuity and release Sappi staff to other potential areas of need and opportunity
• Understand the Khulisa Fixed costs and provide input on monthly actuals including recovery plans
• Ensure that the following month’ sales plan is compiled, confirmed and submitted through to the Forestry Manager (FM) to ensure timeous communication to the Logistics manager
• Ensure weekly infield and depot stocks are communicated to FM to ensure alignment of timber supply to market demand
• Ensure compliance to all legislation regulating the work environment including SHEQ policies, procedures, best operating practices and work instructions by suppliers through Stop and Think Before You Act (STBA)

The ideal candidate should have:

 

• National Diploma in Forestry or related qualification
• A BSc Forestry or related qualification would be preferable
• A Supply Chain Management qualification would be preferable
• At least 10 years’ experience in timber procurement and/or forestry management

How To Apply?

Apply Online

HR Contact

Malinee Dayanand

033 3476600 

CareersSa@sappi.com

Location: KZN