Sawmill Manager for Saw Doctoring and Technical Operations in KwaZulu Natal
Emerging Search Consultants · KwaZulu Natal
Overview
A leading forestry and timber processing company in KwaZulu Natal is looking for an experienced Sawmill Manager to lead the saw doctoring function. You will manage Saw Doctors, sawshop staff and technical teams to keep production running smoothly. This senior role pays up to R1 million CTC per annum. If you have strong sawmill management experience and understand how saw doctoring supports production, this could be your next big career move.
About the role
This is a senior opportunity for someone who has already managed a saw doctoring function within a large sawmilling environment. You do not need to be a qualified Saw Doctor, but you must understand the work well enough to lead the team, set standards and solve problems alongside Production, Maintenance and Engineering.
You will be responsible for making sure saws, blades and cutting tools are always ready for production. That means keeping a close eye on blade performance, cutting quality, recovery rates and any saw related production losses. You will also manage staffing matters like training, performance, leave and overtime for the sawshop team.
The role calls for someone who can drive technical discipline, preventative maintenance and continuous improvement. You will work closely with other departments to reduce downtime and improve cutting quality. Stock control for saws, blades, tooling and consumables will also fall under your watch, along with maintaining strong safety and quality standards.
This role is based in KwaZulu Natal and candidates must be willing to relocate if required.
Requirements
- Strong sawmill management, production management or maintenance management experience
- Proven experience managing Saw Doctors and a saw doctoring function
- Experience leading technical employees and supervisors
- Good working knowledge of sawmilling equipment and saw doctoring principles
- Exposure to bandsaws, circular or TCT saws, chipper knives, planers and finger joint tooling would be advantageous
- Strong production, maintenance and troubleshooting capability
- A relevant artisan trade or technical qualification would be advantageous
- You do not necessarily need to be a qualified Saw Doctor, but you must have managed Saw Doctors and understand how the function supports production performance
- Must be willing to relocate to KwaZulu Natal where required
Responsibilities
- Manage and lead Saw Doctors, Saw Filers, Sharpeners and associated technical staff
- Take responsibility for the overall performance of the saw doctoring function
- Ensure saws, blades and cutting tools are available and correctly prepared for production
- Work closely with Production, Maintenance and Engineering on saw performance, downtime and cutting quality
- Manage staffing, performance, training, succession, leave and overtime
- Drive technical discipline, preventative maintenance and continuous improvement
- Monitor blade performance, recovery, quality and saw related production losses
- Ensure appropriate stock levels of saws, blades, tooling and consumables
- Maintain strong safety, quality and operational standards
Job details
- Organisation
- Emerging Search Consultants
- Location
- KwaZulu Natal
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Senior
- Salary
- Up to R83k per month / monthly
- Category
- Manufacturing & Production
- Application Method
- Apply manually
Success Guide
Hi there. This is a senior role, so your CV needs to show more than just years worked. Highlight specific times you managed Saw Doctors or a sawshop team. Mention the types of saws you have worked with, like bandsaws or circular saws. If you have ever improved blade performance, reduced downtime or cut production losses, put those numbers on your CV. The company is looking for someone who understands the technical side well enough to lead, so even if you are not a qualified Saw Doctor, show how your management experience makes you the right fit. Also be ready to talk about how you work with production and maintenance teams to solve problems on the floor. Good luck.
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