Sappi Southern Africa

Tugela Mill

Senior Process Engineer (HRL 17)

We are hiring!

At Sappi, we are a leading global provider with a reputation for delivering high-quality sustainable Woodfibre products and solutions for the global markets. We lead through our values centred around safety, integrity, courage, making smart decisions which we execute with speed. We are seeking unique people who believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive and safe environment.

We’re on the lookout for a Senior Process Engineer I to act as a subject matter expert in the discipline of process engineering for specific pulp and paper processes to ensure mill-wide operational sustainability and efficiency by developing, driving and delivering strategic projects for the mill.

As a Senior Process Engineer I, you will be responsible to:

Define the standards for process documentation

• In collaboration with other Senior Process Engineers in head office and at other mills, develop the standards for process documentation covering Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, Process Flow Diagrams, Mass and Energy Balances and process descriptions. Ensure that all documentation is shared across the process engineering community to minimise rework.
• Oversee the development and updating of product specifications and periodically review the quality thereof.

Process Improvement

• Review the end to end production process - from wood yard through to final product for all the types of products produced at the mill - to identify risks and opportunities relating to production, quality, sustainability and cost.
• Develop detailed end to end process designs for processes that impact multiple production areas in the mill.
• Review the quality of high level designs prepared by process engineers. Prepare high level designs for large scale projects or oversee the design process if there are supporting resources (internal teams or consultants).
• Review recommendations for new process improvement projects and decide which ones are worth pursuing. Periodically review the quality of process audit work and provide guidance to process engineers on how it can be improved.
• Review the quality of feasibility studies by determining if the correct parameters have been used and advise on areas for improvement if the feasibility study is not robust enough.
• Review detailed designs prepared by process engineers from a quality point of view. Act as engineering signatory on detailed designs.
• Review the results of Design Reviews and provide guidance on improvements required in the designs or the review process.
• Review all major designs and provide input on improvements required. Act as formal signatory for the final designs.
• Utilise knowledge of supervisory control systems, advance analytics and advance controls to improve plant stability and efficiency.
• Provide decision making information to senior management and guidance on possible process engineering solutions.
• Drive innovative ideas from process engineering team.
• Develop, drive and deliver strategic projects for the mill, including input into the mill's 5 year Capex plan.
• Analyse operational information and review efficiency shortfalls.

Risk Management & Environmental Controls

• Ensure that environmental standards are taken into account in all process designs. Consider the impact of environmental legislation changes on current processes as well as future changes and contribute to the development of upgrade strategies to address it.
• Review results of risk studies for the plant, and ensure that they are done to a high standard.
• Critically evaluate the control elements in new designs from a cost effectiveness perspective given the quality standards or risks that are being mitigated by the controls. Provide input on how controls need to be strengthened or relaxed.
• Ensure operational sustainability targets are met and future trends or compliance requirements are proactively developed.

Drive Process Change

• Determine the process to be used and the extent of testing that needs to be done with new processes.
• Review the change impacts of the whole portfolio of process changes on at least a quarterly basis. Determine if priorities need to be changed to ensure that changes can be executed successfully. Also review change impact assessments completed by process engineers from a quality point of view.
• Provide input to project managers on the robustness of their change management plans. Act as sponsor for major changes and promote the new processes actively in the plant.
• Review the success of the process changes implemented for all changes (small and major changes). Determine the lessons learnt and ensure that process engineers at other mills gain access to the lessons learnt.

Manage the Process Team

• Drive the recruitment, recognition, remuneration, development and discipline of direct reports. Take direct responsibility for the development of direct reports.
• Participate in demand planning for current and future requirements and determine the need to create additional skills pools for the process engineering function. Take into account the retirement ages of current teams.
• Mentor new engineers-in-training and participate in the selection of new trainees.

What are we looking for?

• Degree in Chemical Engineering and/or BTech in Chemical Engineering with significant pulp and paper experience
• Post graduate qualification or certificate in management would be advantageous
• 5-8 years process experience in a heavy manufacturing environment
• Pulp and paper experience would be advantageous

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 the role)
• Market-leading leave benefits
• Employee wellbeing benefits

Closing Date: 12 March 2024

How to Apply? Please click on one of the buttons below. If you encounter any issues while applying contact your HR contact.

Feel free to visit our website for further information www.sappi.com

Sappi is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. At Sappi, we encourage and support vaccination.