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SOUTH AFRICAN FORESTRY COMPANY (SAFCOL)
 
BUSINESS TURNAROUND SPECIALIST: SAWMILLING
Due date of Application: 2023-05-19
Reporting Line: Chief Operating Officer
Term: Fixed Term Contract (3 Years)
Location: Timbadola Sawmill
Contact: Ms. Nozipho Tembe Human Capital Practitioner, nozirecruitment@safcol.co.za 13 754 2700
 
Role Mandate
To develop, lead and manage the overall technology-based sawmilling/processing business turnaround strategy, processing strategy, initiatives, and lead operations strategic key business drivers to improve product/achievement of strategic operations objectives and ensure delivery of effective and efficient turnaround strategy in order to maximise profit and achieve sustainable operations business growth/profitability in accordance with company policies.
 
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Key Accountabilities
  • Design and formulate processing management-led turnaround strategy, plans and sawmilling/processing/ strategy to maximise profit and achievement of SAFCOL’s overall processing strategy to include IFLOMA operations
  • Lead and translate sawmilling/processing turnaround strategy into meaningful technology based operational targets and strategic goals for operations and related processing activities
  • Lead and ensure implementation of all turnaround operations strategy and initiatives as informed by designed operations turnaround strategy divisional plans and strategies
  • Drive and ensure delivery and alignment of sawmilling/processing objectives and disseminated to all levels within processing operations
  • Lead and manage overall operations and achievement of specific strategic initiatives and ensure alignment of operations technology-based strategy, plans and objectives to overall company strategy
  • Lead, plan and ensure execution and delivery of operations plans, operational initiatives, and objectives in order to enable achievement of technology-based strategy and company results
  • Conduct and lead an in-depth sawmill/processing business review and analysis of both internal and external drivers of sawmill/processing business and associated financial scenarios
  • Perform technology based diagnostic assessment and provide scenarios of current operations environment, positioning, equipment, products quality, possible expansion, and its capacity to function effectively and efficiently to deliver products of high quality in a sustainable manner
  • Review, assess and provide confirmation of current and future efficiency assessment in sawmilling/processing production lines and evaluate consistency of speed, quality, and delivery and provide sound turn around technology based strategic plans and changes for Board and EXCO approval and drive implementation thereof
  • Lead and manage assessment of other strategic interdependencies and recommend solutions in line with best practice in order to improve functioning of operations and processing business unit
  • Analyse potential, provide scenarios and plans for increased throughput by enhancing efficiency of resource utilisation, based on market demand
  • Drive and ensure that sawmilling/processing is capacitated and strategic plans to breakeven in year one would lead to profitability and achievement of strategic targets for now and the future
  • Develop and recommend for implementation a tailored technology-based turnaround strategy and business improvement scenarios for operations/processing/strategic plans and ensure implementation of expanded/ improved operational turnaround plans to achieve agreed targets and delivery objectives
  • Assess, review, provide expert guidance, scenarios and turn around recommendations to improve processes and related policies, Best Operating Practices (BOPs) and procedures to ensure optimal performance of operations/processing capacity constraints that impact business
  • Lead, manage and turnaround strategy effectively and ensure compliance with company standards and achieve deliverables in a cost-effective manner
  • Identify and perform feasibility analysis/scenarios on additional sawmilling/processing opportunities based on raw material availability and market opportunities
  • Lead and ensure quality control and assurance measures are in place for all sawmilling/processing and related activities by improving quality standards/ procedures in line with compliance monitoring bodies (SABS & SATAS) to ensure high customer satisfaction
  • Lead, drive and ensure utilisation of simulating tools, analysis and interpretations and implement results to optimise processes for best use of raw material and resources in order to attain high quality products and maximum value yield
  • Lead, drive and ensure consistent improvement of existing operational processes, procedures and strategic plans and recommend changes to effect sustainability and profitability of all operations to include IFLOMA processing
  • Analyse processing strategy in line with overall company strategy and its short-term and long-term plans, the work to include:
  • Assessment of current Processing and Operations technology based strategy and evaluate feasibility of performance targets and recommend sustainable technology-based performance targets
  • Identify constraints that are hindering growth of sawmilling/processing and assess how the company can mitigate such risks; and recommend potential mitigation strategies for future
  • Recommend an appropriate and achievable operations turnaround strategy that ensures sawmilling/processing performance improvement and long-term organisational sustainability is implemented
  • Lead and ensure increased sawmilling/processing production capacity whilst further upgrades and strategic plans recommend, and implementation are in progress
  • Develop, lead, and drive operations and processing strategic risk register, formulate and implement mitigation strategies for overall business continuity and sustainability and appraise Board and EXCO of the same
  • Develop, lead, and submit overall operations quarterly progress reports addressing risks identified and highlighted on custom-cut risk register
  • Review audit issue/ findings and ensure such findings are closed off and ensure operations improvement controls within agreed timelines are executed
  • Review and ensure approval of Detailed Risk and Control Assessments prepared within the Division
  • Lead, ensure implementation and monitor adherence to company SHEQ standards and practices and OSHACT requirements for custom cut, pole treatment plant and operations and processing units and implement recommended changes
  • Provide inputs on continuous improvements of SHEQ best operating practices and procedures for sawmilling/processing
  • Assess, review, and contribute on development and implementation of SHEQ risk assessment for sawmilling/processing
  • Lead and ensure maintenance of FSC chain of custody certification and adherence to standards and practices for operations and related processing activities
  • Review and contribute on implementation of risk assessment processes for management of operations/processing and ensure compliance to
  • safety standards
  • Develop financial technology-based strategy to ensure sawmilling/processing profitability or break- even with focus on cost containment and generate increased revenue
  • Plan, develop and monitor implementation of annual sawmilling/processing turnaround budget and related projects expenditure
  • Lead, analyse and monitor utilisation of annual sawmilling/processing budget and plans in line with turnaround strategic plans and key projects
  • Lead, coordinate and develop business cases/ strategic operations initiations and related projects in line with supplied budget
  • Lead, drive, monitor and control sawmilling/processing monthly expenditure, costs, and financial management
  • Analyse, interpret and present monthly sawmilling/processing financial expenditure strategic plans, results, and governance to COO, Board and EXCO
  • Analyse, assess and correct financial deviations and abnormalities and ensure prudent financial management in line with company policies
  • Lead, drive, and support development of, and ultimately implement, a purpose-led, high-performing culture within the operations/processing and other teams on new processing initiatives
  • Drive, research and recommend cutting edge technology-based sawmilling/processing and IFLOMA business improvement, initiatives, and implementation thereto
  • Research, manage and lead the implementation of recommended cutting-edge technology-based improvements to operations/processing business model in order to increase revenue and profitability and Develop and monitor annual production targets
  • Lead recommendation to EXCO and Board regarding technology and benefits to maximise operations/processing profitability
  • Lead and oversee implementation of recommended technology-based innovations to improve and maximise operations/processing and IFLOMA
  • profitability and sustainability
  • Provide a full assessment reports/business plans on sawmilling/processing strategy and best practices recommended to the company to adapt and implemented for efficient and sustainable operations/processing business improvement initiatives
  • Provide monthly and quarterly operations and processing business performance report to EXCO and Board where required
  • Develop, prepare, and lead presentation to EXCO relating to sawmilling/processing diagnostic report and associated business report for associated changes
  • Consistently liaise with relevant departmental stakeholders to ensure achievement of profit targets
  • Lead continuous improvement of production and processing methods by researching and developing systems and practices in order to improve efficiency
  • Conduct research/Scenarios, analysis, and incorporate latest sawmilling/processing technologies by developing business cases and procure equipment to improve operational efficiencies
  • Frequently assess competitiveness of sawmilling/processing technology-based business improvements, strategic plans in relation to industry and identify opportunities for improvement and growth
  • Lead and provide strategic support to SAFCOL board, executive management, and shareholder to ensure and deliver sustainable business growth, whilst securing sustainable employability of current workforce
  • Lead, drive and continuously manage and maintain a healthy relationship with key internal and external stakeholders for overall Operations division
  • Support development of, and ultimately implement, a purpose-led, high-performing culture within Sawmilling, Lumber sales and other teams on new processing initiatives
  • Support development of other processing initiatives such as custom cut, mobile sawmill, and pole treatment
  • Manage sawmilling and processing of headcounts for cost efficiency and streamlined operations purposes
  • Implement effective team leader and team member processes to ensure Timbadola realise a positive return on investments (ROI)
  • Motivate and energise the organisation and embed a delivery culture while overseeing all day-to-day business operations, coordinating efforts with relevant stakeholders within business
 
 

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Minimum Requirements
  • Grade 12
  • A Degree in Operations Management/Industrial/Mechanical Engineering/Wood Science/Wood Technology and/or related field of study (NQF Level 7)
  • Bachelor of Honours Degree in Operations Management/ Industrial/ Mechanical Engineering/Wood Science/Wood Technology and/or related field of study (NQF Level 8) will be added advantage
  • A Minimum of 8 - 10 years’ experience in managing complex and demanding sawmilling/processing production lines and leading a turnaround strategy of distressed businesses
  • Sound knowledge and experience on international best practice in processing and/or
  • A demonstrable progressive experience in business improvement and performance measurement projects
  • Previous experience in managing and engaging senior level stakeholders including EXCO Board and Shareholders
  • Ability to build and increase capacity of technical implementation team and skills transfer
  • Provable track record as a Turnaround Specialist/Strategist in sawmilling/ processing industry in large organisations
  • Valid driver’s license
 
Role specific conditions
  • The Turnaround Specialist will be based at Timbadola to ensure day to day management and monitoring of the Sawmill and work closely with, the Chief Operations Officer and other management team members
  • On appointment, the Turnaround Specialist will sign a three-year performance contract which will be reviewed on an annual basis, based on overall business performance
  • Remuneration - Highly negotiable based on business experience, skills match, and capabilities
  • Relocation cost will be paid by the company
 
Leadership                 
· Strategic Thinking · Leading Others · Driving Change · Operational Delivery · Commercial Insight · Self – Awareness    
 
Behavioural   
· Planning and Organising · Communication Skill · Developing Value Proposition · Business Modelling and Scenario Planning · Analytical and interpretation skills      
 
Technical
· Sound Knowledge of Sawmilling Processes · Change Management · Negotiation Skills and Project Management · Budget Management · Risk Management and Compliance · Total quality management and Reporting