UNILEVER IS HIRING

INTEGRATED PLANNING SPECIALIST

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Job ID: R-1185227

Job Type: Full time

Job Category: Supply Chain

Job Details

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Unilever is currently hiring for a Integrated Planning Specialist

Function: Supply Chain

Reports to: Site Lead Planner

Scope: Local

Location: Indonsa Factory (Durban)

Terms & Conditions: Full time

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

CATEGORY/FUNCTION INTRODUCTION

Customer Operations drives superior experiences for our consumers by ensuring product availability on line and on shelf and superior customer experiences through being the no. 1 supplier. The department links the supply and demand sides of the organization through digital platforms and ensures accurate forecasts, optimized inventory, superior customer service, reduced logistics costs and efficient order to cash processes.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. The Planning Specialist is the Planning representative at the Indonsa Factory from PM perspective. To agree and manage the procurement (call off) of all packaging as per the production plan in order to ensure maximum plant operating efficiency and deliver optimal customer service.

Ensure adequate cover for the production plan while at the same time managing stock levels within Working Capital Targets.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

Material Requirements Planning

Ensure that the production plan sent by the production planners can be met timeously by calling off raw and packaging materials in advance.
Stock is to be managed within working capital targets.
Works closely with the production planner, ensuring that where supply constraints exist, these are built into the forward plans.
Go through all MRP Material Exceptions on SAP on a weekly basis and ensure that all orders are placed within the stipulated lead-times.
Ensure that all MRP orders in SAP are based on the latest production plans in SAP.
Ensure all Purchase Requisitions are converted to Purchase Orders with no need for manual purchase orders.
Escalate any need for manual PO’s immediately to Supply Management.
Run material shortage reports and expedite orders for materials needed to meet the production plan.
Ensure the integrity of material forecasts generated by SAP and work closely with suppliers to ensure available capacity and confirm supply availability.
Issue purchase orders to suppliers within the agreed procurement lead times and according to the agreed lot sizes.
Maintain delivery due list with warehouse personnel.
Keep track of usage versus contract amount and flag concerns to Procurement Ops accordingly.
Review and maintain forward material requirements within working capital targets for packaging and raw materials.
Co-ordinate material planning activities to meet production plans at both In-house and 3rd Party Packers, where relevant.
Monitor shelf-life management and ensure that the correct FIFO is being applied in the warehouses.
Manage integrity of materials by ensuring prompt write offs of obsolete stocks.
Assess exceptions raised for viability and impact on ongoing supply.

Manage relationship with suppliers

Meet suppliers on a regular basis to identify and manage possible constraints.
Work with Procurement to manage Supplier On time in Full Scores and Vendor Rating scores (achieved through accurate maintenance of PO’s).
Attend supplier meetings with the Procurement team, when needed.
Input into the development, maintenance and monitoring of stock holding policy for materials at suppliers in line with projected volume requirements and agreed volatility (owned by Procurement Ops).
Inform Production Planner, Supply Planner & Procurement Teams of any supplier quality problems.
Ensure all returnable materials on site get collected by suppliers on a regular basis.
Ensure suppliers deliver as per JIT model to manage warehouse space reduction

Procurement

Ensure the timeous delivery of stocks to site and escalate to Procurement, where needed.
Track working capital of packaging and raw materials on a weekly basis.
Continuously check on possible shortages in production and liaise with warehouse and Production Planner on any issues impacting supply.
Liaise with warehouse on overdue deliveries and follow up with suppliers.
Liaise with warehouse and suppliers for best delivery days.
Liaise with suppliers of rejected materials and ensure that all materials are returned to the suppliers.
Ensure that all GRN related queries are resolved and closed off within a 5-day window.

SAP Maintenance

Maintain all SAP master data relevant to Materials Planning (incl. MRP screens) for Raw, Packaging and Returnable Materials.
Ensure that all new materials are correctly maintained and extended on SAP in order to ensure innovations or renovations are delivered on time.
Support the monthly Stock Count team.
Input lead time assumptions and MOQs into vendor master data (Procurement Ops to own).
Maintain all SAP master data relevant to Material Planning.
Maintain and clean out old Purchase Orders.
Maintain Master Data as defined by the Master Data templates.
Run Master Data Health Checks at regularly defined intervals.
Review trend regarding Master Data health issues, adequate measures are put in place to ensure accurate Master Data health.
Ensure that materials are timeously marked as ‘ND’ (no demand) in the case of discontinuation.

Working Capital

Work closely with the Procurement team and suppliers to ensure appropriate stock levels are maintained both on-site and at the suppliers to ensure that service level targets are met.
Use appropriate tools and Inventory Planning Models to determine safety stock targets.
Manage call-offs to suppliers in a manner that meets both working capital targets (covers and rand value) and cash flow needs, e.g. management of order size and frequency of call-offs
Identify opportunities to reduce stock in transit values through reduced lead times.
Conduct monthly analysis of full working capital portfolio and identify the key drivers and opportunities for stock day reduction.
Managing slow and obsolete R&PM and ensure that provisions are raised timeously.

Projects

Manage material write offs at launches, re-launches, SKU rationalisation, VIP projects, working closely with the factory scheduler to ensure that all plans are optimized, and run-out schedules are accurately maintained.
Calculate estimated bleed outs of packaging and/or raw materials at the beginning of the project to ensure that material write-off risks are identified and any write-off provisions are included in the project plan.
Advice the supplier of all changes in stock holding policy to ensure that stock is appropriately managed.
Liaise with R&D on all new packaging items.
Place orders for Capability and Launch in line with the various Innovation Gate sign offs.
Provide timeous write off documentation and ensure that all materials are disposed of accurately and that these are correctly removed from the SAP system.

Reporting

Ensure the plant shortage report is issued weekly.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

Tertiary degree with Supply Chain and/ or Business Management is preferred.
3-5 years experience in the general supply chain will be an advantage
Further studies in supply chain, including APICS/SAPICS qualification, would be beneficial
Planning and functional business process knowledge
Strong Business Acumen
Business partnering experience
Understand S&OP process & cadence
Experience working and interacting with all levels in a business.
FMCG experience will be advantegeous

Skills

Tertiary degree with Supply Chain and/ or Business Management is preferred.
3 -5 Experience in the general supply chain will be an advantage
Further studies in supply chain, including APICS/SAPICS qualification, would be beneficial
Future fit planning skills is an advantage (Curiosity and Agility; Impact through technology)
Excellent communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders to achieve results
Strong change, service and agile mindset
Strong accountability and responsibility

Contacts:

Internal:

Factory management and operational teams
Inbound stores
L1 Planning team
Procurement Teams

External:

L2 Planning Hub
Material Suppliers

Leadership

You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

Unilever Behaviours

Care Deeply: We care deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. We care about our performance, to a point where it hurts when we don’t win.
Focus on What Counts: We ruthlessly prioritise what truly matters, and so do fewer things brilliantly. We set clear goals & direction and recognise others for maximum impact.
Stay Three Steps Ahead: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident - anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends, to beat the competition.
Deliver with Excellence: We deliver excellence in what we do at pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

This is an factory-based role in Durban and requires 100% of time attendance on site.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

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CUSTOMER DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITY MANAGER

La Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal

Job ID:

R-1186253

Job Type:

Full time

Job Category: Customer Development

Job Details

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Unilever is currently hiring for a Capability Manager

Function: Customer Development

Reports to:Head of Customer Development, South Africa

Location: Durban/Johannesburg, South Africa

Terms & Conditions: Full time, onsite

At Unilever, everything we do is driven by purpose. This is an opportunity to help shape a better business and a better world through the impact of your work.

We’re looking for a Customer Development Capability Manager to lead the development and execution of capability strategies that drive commercial excellence, strengthen frontline performance, and build a future‑fit sales force. This role ensures the Customer Development team is equipped with the right skills, tools, and processes to win in the marketplace.

You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that truly matters — for people and the planet.

Key Responsibilities

Capability Strategy & Execution

Design and implement a holistic Customer Development capability roadmap aligned with business strategy
Lead the deployment of global and local capability frameworks
Partner with HR and Global Learning teams to embed capability programs into the broader talent agenda

Sales Training & Development

Identify skill gaps through diagnostics and performance data
Develop and deliver training programs (in-house or via external partners)
Drive adoption of digital learning platforms and blended learning approaches

Performance Enablement

Collaborate with Sales Operations to ensure tools, systems and processes support capability development
Embed performance coaching culture across sales leadership
Track ROI of capability initiatives and continuously improve based on feedback and results

Stakeholder Engagement

Work closely with Customer Development Leadership Team and key partners to ensure capability programs are commercially relevant
Influence senior leaders to prioritize capability as a growth enabler
Represent the market in global capability forums (Customer Development Academy) and share best practice

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
8+ years’ experience in Sales, Commercial Excellence, or Capability‑focused roles
Demonstrated success in designing and delivering impactful capability‑building programs
Experience within FMCG or similarly fast‑paced environments is an advantage
Strong analytical skills with the ability to convert data into actionable insights.
Excellent organizational and time‑management capability.
Demonstrated cross-functional collaboration and influence.
Strong problem-solving ability and adaptability to changing business environments.
Attention to detail and exceptional communication skills.
Proven customer service mindset and stakeholder management skills.

Why Join Unilever?

Work for one of the world’s most purpose-led and trusted brands.
Drive meaningful impact on business capability and performance.
Be part of a supportive, culture‑driven environment that values people and growth.
Enjoy opportunities for regional exposure and professional development.

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MASS BALANCE SUPPORT

Boksburg, Gauteng

Job ID: R-1185932

Job Type: Full time

Job Category: Supply Chain

Job Details

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Unilever is currently hiring forMass Balance Support

Function: Supply Chain

Reports to: Engineering Capability Specialist

Scope: Local

Location: Boksburg Factory

Terms & Conditions: Full-Time - Site Based

ABOUT UNILEVER

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We equip our people with the tools they need to shape their own future while delivering a better business and a better world.

CATEGORY / FUNCTION INTRODUCTION

The Mass Balance Support role sits at the interface of Logistics, Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Planning, Quality, and Finance. The role is designed to strengthen material usage visibility, inventory accuracy, SAP discipline, and shopfloor reconciliation across the Boksburg Powders value chain.

This role does not replace Process Engineering accountability for technical mass balance interpretation. Instead, it provides the structured data, SAP checks, cycle count evidence, COGI follow-up, and reconciliation support required for Process Engineers and Finance to make accurate, controlled, and timely business decisions.

JOB PURPOSE

The Mass Balance Support role will play a key role in strengthening material accuracy, material usage tracking, and process loss visibility across the factory. The role supports the end-to-end mass balance process by maintaining reliable SAP and physical inventory records, preparing daily and weekly material movement analysis, coordinating issue resolution across departments, and ensuring that supporting evidence is available for Process Engineers, Logistics, and Finance.

The purpose of this role is to create a disciplined bridge between physical factory activity and system records, enabling faster root cause identification, improved MUV governance, more accurate stock records, and better financial controls. The role is ideal for individuals pursuing a career in supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, finance, or operations management, with a strong interest in inventory accuracy, SAP, process governance, and continuous improvement.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

Inventory and Stock Management

Maintain accurate inventory records and support a healthy MB52 book quantity position on SAP.
Conduct daily cycle counts on high-risk and high-value materials to proactively identify material losses, gains, and abnormal movements ahead of formal stock counts.
Support monthly stock takes by preparing count sheets, validating count readiness, consolidating variances, and ensuring evidence is available for review.
Track and report stock accuracy, SRA performance, cycle count closure, and recurring variance themes.
Escalate materials with repeated gains/losses to the Logistics Manager, Process Engineers, and Finance for review & take appropriate actions to control it with the help of process engineers
Ensure control & monitor the rework generation & consumption
Work on digital solutions to control MVA

SAP and System Transaction Support

Verify Goods Receipt Notes (GRNs) by reconciling SAP entries to weighbridge net weight data and physical receipt evidence.
Monitor and clear daily COGI errors, coordinating with DHL, Production, Logistics, and relevant teams to resolve delayed or failed material movements.
Check SAP material movements against actual shopfloor consumption and flag discrepancies for root cause analysis.
Support correction of delayed transfers, wrong storage location postings, archived stock in transit, and abnormal movements impacting inventory accuracy.
Maintain a daily SAP exception tracker covering COGI, GRN gaps, transfer delays, negative stock, unusual movements, and unresolved posting errors.

Production and Process Alignment

Prepare daily process order analysis against Bills of Materials (BOMs), planned consumption, actual consumption, and confirmed finished goods output.
Support Process Engineers by preparing material usage packs that show theoretical versus actual consumption by material, line, process order, and production area.
Support mass balance and waste accounting by tracking material conversion into finished goods, rework, waste, scrap, and other accountable streams.
Provide weekly MUV review inputs by allocating system and physical losses to the appropriate area for technical validation.
Track corrective actions agreed with Process Engineers, Production, and Logistics until closure.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

Participate in Management of Change (MOC) initiatives, especially formulation changes, process changes, trial materials, and new handling requirements.
Collaborate with SUIT Lead, Planning, Process Engineering, Logistics, Quality, and Finance to validate BOM accuracy and perform regular BOM health checks.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that improve inventory accuracy, reduce waste, strengthen SAP discipline, and improve material traceability.
Prepare simple visual dashboards and trackers for daily and weekly reviews, including trend analysis and recurring issue themes.
Support process discipline through coaching and follow-up with material handlers, production teams, and third-party partners where gaps are identified.

Governance, Controls and Escalation

Maintain supporting evidence for material variance investigations, including SAP extracts, weighbridge data, count records, production confirmations, and sign-off records.
Ensure unresolved variances are escalated through the correct governance route and not informally corrected without evidence and approval.
Support Finance and Process Engineering with structured packs for weekly and monthly MUV reviews.
Protect segregation of duties by ensuring that the role supports analysis and evidence gathering, while technical mass balance interpretation remains with Process Engineering and financial sign-off remains with Finance.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experience and Qualifications

Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree/diploma in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Operations Management, or a related field.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and identify patterns.
Basic knowledge of SAP or another ERP system is advantageous.
Proficiency in MS Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, data cleaning, and basic analysis.
Attention to detail with a strong commitment to accuracy, evidence, and governance.
Strong communication and collaboration skills across shopfloor, office, and third-party teams.

Skills

Analytical problem-solving and attention to detail.
Strong communication and stakeholder management.
Planning, prioritisation, and multitasking in a fast-paced factory environment.
Knowledge of Lean principles, 5S, and basic continuous improvement methodology.
Ability to coach and guide others on system discipline and process compliance.
High ownership, resilience, and comfort working with ambiguity and urgent operational priorities.

LEADERSHIP

You are energised by delivering results and using data to make problems visible.
You are an example to others through discipline, follow-through, and resilience.
You take responsibility for your own wellbeing while delivering high standards of work.
You are humble, curious, and willing to learn from shopfloor teams, process experts, logistics teams, and finance stakeholders.
You interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues early, and escalate in a way that helps the business make better decisions.

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviours

Care deeply: caring deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. You care about your performance, to a point where it hurts when you don’t win. Always brings their best self. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations and build empathy for others. Sets high standards for themselves. Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside of Unilever.

Focus on what counts: We set clear and stretching goals and recognise maximum performance impact. Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed.

Stay three steps ahead: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident – anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends to beat the competition. Approaches delivery with an iterative and incremental, test - do - learn approach. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.

Deliver with excellence: We deliver everything we do with excellence and pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country, and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.

This is an office-based role in Boksburg requires 100% of time attendance on site.

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MACHINE OPERATOR

Boksburg, Gauteng

Job ID: R-1185996

Job Type Full time

Job Category: Supply Chain

Job Details

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Join us as aMachine Operator

Function: Supply Chain

Reports to: Shift Coordinator

Scope: Local

Location: Boksburg

Terms & Conditions: Full Time

JOB PURPOSE

This role exists for someone who is responsible for the safe operation of production equipment to deliver customer requirements through completion of the production plan, adhering to quality standards and maximizing cost effectiveness, optimal running, and equipment efficiency.

He/She is expected to carry out AM inspection activities and record any deviations/problems with the equipment enlisting engineering support on shift to resolve. The machine operator should master the operation of a series of machines to provide factory resilience and be part of a team that believes in doing work that matters — for people and the planet.

Because here, we don’t just hire for jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain machinery to the prescribed standards and levels of cleanliness
Understand properties of materials being handled. Able to perform correct adjustment and setting on equipment
Proactively work with Professional Maintenance and Quality Control staff to achieve zero breakdowns and zero defects
Carry out product and size changeovers and maintain quality standards whilst minimizing the impact to the production plan
Start-Up/Shutdown procedures
Able to account,articulate and capture their losses accordingly on related programs ( Shopware/Build App)

Safety

Utilises all appropriate safety and environmental procedures relating to the Sourcing Unit and allocated equipment to ensure a safe working environment for the whole team.

Workplace Hazards

Full knowledge of the workplace and hazards within it.
Utilises all appropriate safety and environmental procedures for people, processes, materials, products, and equipment relevant to the task.

Environment

Comply with waste management procedures to minimize impact to health, safety, and the environment

Quality

Monitors quality against set standards (CRQS) and reports any product and packaging faults/defects. Detects process abnormalities quickly, and takes emergency actions to contain and prevent defect product from reaching trade

Continuous Improvement

Knowledge and understanding of the key principles of WCM
Able to initiate and implement quick kaizens and OPLs
Monitor performance after initial improvements

Problem Solving

A Working Knowledge of how to identify, prioritize and address problems using appropriate tools and techniques that eliminate reocurrence. Must demonstrate initiative.

Decision Making

Can make decisions to reject noncompliant products, escalate if need be to support the work plan for the day.

Teamwork

Must be a good team player capable of working within a highly effective team; responsible, supportive, and able communicator.

Administration

Conducts effective hand-over activities and records accurately events that have occurred during shift (cases packed/ rejects/maintenance conducted etc).

Physical Ability

Machine operators require a level of agility to move quickly between workstations, ascend and descend steps. Assembly and control operations also require a level of hand eye coordination and finger dexterity.
Must be flexible within pattern of shift work to accommodate factory shutdowns, training courses etc

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Matric and or N3 with passed Maths & Science or equivalent

SKILLS

Strong literacy and numerical skills
Basic mechanical awareness of the principles for factory automation including UMS methodologies
Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviours

Care deeply: caring deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. You care about your performance, to a point where it hurts when you don’t win. Always brings their best self. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations and build empathy for others. Sets high standards for themselves. Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside of Unilever.
Focus on what counts: We set clear and stretching goals and recognise maximum performance impact. Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed.
Stay three steps ahead: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident – anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends to beat the competition. Approaches delivery with an iterative and incremental, test - do - learn approach. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
Deliver with excellence: We deliver everything we do with excellence and pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country, and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.

This is an office-based role in Boksburg requires 100% of time attendance on site.

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