Production Foreman – Paper Manufacturing

About the role

Sappi is seeking a Production Foreman for its paper mill to lead a shift‑based team and ensure the efficient production of high‑quality wood‑fibre paper. You will be responsible for managing people, plant, and equipment to meet customer requirements and mill standards while upholding safety and environmental standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a shift team, ensuring smooth plant operations.
• Plan daily production to optimise raw material, energy, and labour utilisation.
• Conduct first‑line troubleshooting and escalate complex issues to engineering.
• Oversee start‑ups, shutdowns, checks, log‑sheet completion, and performance tracking.
• Recommend maintenance, upgrades, or replacements to improve efficiency.
• Monitor and enforce SHEQ compliance, investigate incidents and drive corrective actions.
• Manage fixed‑cost, overtime, and manpower budgets within your area.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders, responding to customer feedback.

Required profile

• Matric and Full N4 qualification in Pulpmaking and/or Papermaking, or NQF Level 5.
• Minimum 3 years of plant operations experience.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Proficiency with SAP and the MS Office suite.
• Strong computer literacy.

Required skills

• SAP
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

What we offer

• Opportunity to work for a global leader with 80 years of industry experience.
• Learning and development programmes to accelerate career growth.
• Potential travel opportunities depending on the role.
• Market‑leading leave and employee wellbeing benefits.