Manager, Wetmill

CHEP helps move more goods to more people, in more places than any other organization on earth via our 347 million pallets, crates and containers. We employ approximately 13,000 people and operate in 60 countries. Through our pioneering and sustainable share-and-reuse business model, the world’s biggest brands trust us to help them transport their goods more efficiently, safely and with less environmental impact. 
What does that mean for you? You’ll join an international organization big enough to take you anywhere, and small enough to get you there sooner. You’ll help change how goods get to market and contribute to global sustainability. You’ll be empowered to bring your authentic self to work and be surrounded by diverse and driven professionals. And you can maximize your work-life balance and flexibility through our Hybrid Work Model.

Job Description

About the Role:

Manage overall operations of the wet mill plant, ensuring efficient and safe processing of sawn timber while meeting production targets and maintaining high-quality standards.

Develop and maintain relationships with third-party service providers and customers, ensuring compliance with all company policies, procedures, and health & safety regulations.

Lead and supervise a large team, driving continuous improvement in production processes and equipment maintenance.

Key Responsibilities may include:

• Oversee production planning and set daily production targets, ensuring optimal output and resource utilization.
• Manage all wet mill staff, including night shift personnel, ensuring that all operational and quality control procedures are followed.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts to enhance timber recovery rates and oversee upgrades to equipment and processes.
• Ensure adherence to health & safety regulations, conducting toolbox talks, enforcing the use of protective gear, and overseeing safety protocols.
• Maintain relationships with suppliers, managing log procurement, and resolving issues related to material quality or supplier performance.
• Oversee the management of sawmill housekeeping, including stock control, saw shop maintenance, and ensuring timely preventative maintenance to minimize equipment downtime.
• Provide training and development to staff, ensuring competency in operational procedures and promoting a safety-first culture.

Manager, Wetmill

Weatherboard Sawmill, Creighton

Join Our Team as a Wet Mill Manager – Where Precision Meets Passion!

Are you a results-driven leader with a passion for optimizing operations? We're seeking a dynamic Wet Mill Manager to oversee our milling processes and ensure the highest standards of quality and efficiency. In this role, you'll be at the heart of our production, while driving innovation and continuous improvement. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a keen eye for detail, this is the perfect opportunity to take your career to the next level.

The Wetmill Manager will be responsible for all aspects of managing the Wetmill from receiving logs to delivering sawn board to the Drymill & Manufacturing Pant. The Wetmill Manager will put safety as his/her first priority and assure that the safety infrastructure and culture continuously improve. The Wetmill manager will also be responsible to assure that recovery, quality and cost targets are met.

Responsibilities

Production

• Achieving daily/monthly production targets
• Plan according to the requirements of the manufacturing plant
• Manage breakdowns and assure preventative maintenance is executed to increase uptime.
• Assure that all checks are done, and faults reported
• Assure that production tempo is maintained and that bottlenecks are relieved timeously.
• Assure good timekeeping is maintained at all times.
• Assure that good housekeeping is maintained at all times

Recovery:

• Assure that an A-Grade recovery target of 60% is met in the Wetmill.
• Assure that all machines are setup accurately
• Assure that alignment is accurate on all machines especially on the vertical bandsaw which has a big effect on recovery.
• Assure that log sorting is done – manually or with the log sorter.

Quality

• Assure that hourly samples are taken on all the machines and that the sizing is within spec
• Assure that incoming inspection is done on logs and that out of spec logs are isolated and claimed for timeously.

Inventory management

• Assure that the logyard stock does not increase to above 5 000m3.
• Align weekly on log requirements with the Planning & Harvesting Managers
• Do monthly stock-takes and assure that the stock take is accurate.
• Assure that daily/monthly production is accurate and not over or underestimated.

Safety

• Assure that guard and pedestrian segregation is on standard throughout the Wetmill.
• Drive and promote good safety behaviour on a daily basis.
• Assure that safety is everybody’s priority
• Drive SLAM (Stop Look Assess Manage)
• Assure that toolbox talks are held weekly, and attendance registers kept on file.
• Assure that training matrix is up to date and that only trained personnel operate machines.
• Ensuring that health & safety procedures are carried out
• Ensure protective clothing & equipment is worn at all times 

OpEx

• Implement and maintain 5S in the Wetmill.
• Assure that DMS (Daily Management System) boards are up to date and that DMS Green areas are held daily.
• Continuously look for ways to improve production, quality, safety, cost.
• Have improvement plans in place
• Encourage employees to partake in continuous improvement.
• Listen to employees and get ideas from them.

Managing of the Saw Shop:

• Assure that enough sharp blades are kept in stock at all times.
• Assure that blades are sharpened correctly according to specification.
• Assure that blades are tensioned correctly according to specification.
• Assure that Saw shop personnel are skilled to perform their duties accurately.

People Management:

• Inspire people
• Assure that the motivation levels are high
• Assure that engagement levels are high.
• Always communicate in a respectful manner according to the code of conduct.
• Manage discipline
• Effective in managing a larger team (100+ employees)
• Good communication skills
• Performance management

Cost Management:

• Manage a fleet of Bell loggers and a Bell forklift and assure that they do not move unnecessarily.
• Manage organogram
• Manage diesel and consumable usage
• Manage the stock and lifetime of sawblades and consumables in the Saw shop.

Qualifications: 

Diploma in Production Management, Engineering, Wood Science/Technology or related field

Btech degree advantageous

Experience:

At least 10 years Production Management experience. Experience in the sawmilling industry will be advantageous but not a preliminary required.

Skills and Knowledge

• Results driven
• Sound business and commercial acumen.
• Computer literacy (SAP, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Assertive with good communication, organisational and negotiation skills.
• Sound people management with extensive knowledge of Industrial Relations.
• Good knowledge of OSHACT Safety legislation and procedures is essential.
• Experience and knowledge on sawmilling machinery advantageous.

Remote Type

Not Remote

Skills to succeed in the role

Adaptability, Cross-Functional Work, Data-Driven Decision Making, Digital Literacy, Emotional Intelligence, Feedback, Inclusive Leadership, Innovation, Inspiring Others, Learn From Mistakes, Mentorship, Motivating Teams, Prioritization, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Thinking, Talent Development

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to developing a diverse workforce in which everyone is treated fairly, with respect, and has the opportunity to contribute to business success while realizing his or her potential. This means harnessing the unique skills and experience that each individual brings and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Individuals fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as Brambles or CHEP representatives have scheduled interviews and offered fraudulent employment opportunities with the intent to commit identity theft or solicit money. Brambles and CHEP never conduct interviews via online chat or request money as a term of employment. If you have a question as to the legitimacy of an interview or job offer, please contact us at [email protected].