General Manager - Timber Manufacturing

Principal Objective

Reporting to the Head of Operations, the successful candidate will be an experienced Plant Manager with a strong track record in good manufacturing practice, lean principles, and operational excellence within a manufacturing environment. The role holds full accountability for the safe, efficient and commercially effective performance of the sawmill site, ensuring safe, efficient and compliant operations aligned with Group standards and objectives.

Working closely with Forestry, Sales and the Head of Operations, the Plant Manager will plan and manage production capacity to deliver against the Group’s strategic and commercial goals. Given the interdependent nature of operations, the role will also involve close collaboration with the other sites, ensuring a strong and effective working relationship. This cross‑site coordination is critical to optimising production flow, meeting customer demand, and supporting overall business performance.

Degree or qualification in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience. Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior Plant, Site or Operations Management role within a manufacturing or industrial environment. Experience operating within a high‑capital, asset‑intensive environment.

Proven experience managing large‑scale production operations, ideally within saw milling, timber processing or a comparable continuous‑process industry. Strong working knowledge of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) systems and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated experience applying lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and operational excellence principles. Experience managing budgets, KPIs and production planning to meet commercial and operational targets. Proven experience leading, developing and performance‑managing multi‑disciplinary teams.

• Safety leadership: Partner with the SHEQ Manager to deploy right‑fit policies, protocols, and trained personnel, maintaining a workplace culture that prioritizes safety and quality compliance.
• Yield optimization: Build and refine sawmill production schedules to extract maximum commercial value, coordinate tightly with Forestry and Sales leadership.
• Strategic output: Help shape the Group's macro production strategies while tracking site output against financial budgets through structured performance metrics.
• Efficiency programs: Champion local performance improvements via short‑to‑medium‑term initiatives, embed uniform workflows and data reporting via continuous improvement practices.
• Talent management: Drive the site human resources agenda— including hiring, onboarding, staff development, and workplace engagement—in tandem with the HR department.
• Operational oversight: Maintain rigid site governance by facilitating daily, weekly, and monthly production review sessions.
• Supervisory coaching: Build highly collaborative ties with floor supervisors, equipping them to succeed while encouraging knowledge sharing across teams.
• Capital execution: Guide the planning of capital investments and oversee the rollout of onsite infrastructural and new product development projects.
• End-to-end production: Supervise the entire lifecycle of sawmill throughput, managing everything from initial log intake to final secondary manufacturing lines.

• Leadership & People Development: Builds high‑performing teams through visible leadership, clear expectations, coaching and development. Creates an inclusive environment where colleagues are supported to perform at their best.
• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement: Demonstrates a systematic approach to improving safety, quality, efficiency and cost performance through lean thinking and structured problem‑solving.
• Decision‑Making & Accountability: Makes sound, timely decisions based on data and operational insight. Delegates effectively while maintaining clear accountability.
• Communication &
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Communicates clearly and credibly with colleagues at all levels. Builds strong working relationships across sites and functions.
• Change Leadership: Leads confidently through…