Head: Timber Operations

Mbombela, South AfricaFull-timeExecutiveOn-sitePosted 8 Oct 2026

Job Overview

TWK Agri — a diversified agricultural and forestry group headquartered in Mpumalanga — is appointing a Head: Timber Operations within its Timber division in Nelspruit (Mbombela). The role provides strategic and operational leadership across the group's timber operations, spanning forestry, harvesting, timber processing, manufacturing and associated activities.

You will be accountable for operational performance, profitability, timber-supply optimisation, SHEQ compliance and continuous improvement across the value chain — integrating forestry and manufacturing, improving recovery, yield, quality, unit costs and asset utilisation, and managing operating budgets and capital-expenditure programmes.

This is a senior executive leadership role for someone with 10+ years in forestry, timber processing or manufacturing, including at least eight years leading multi-site operations, P&L performance and senior management teams, and who is willing to travel extensively between sites.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership across forestry, harvesting, timber processing and manufacturing operations
Develop and implement operational strategies aligned to divisional and organisational objectives
Oversee timber-supply planning to ensure sustainable, uninterrupted supply to processing operations
Integrate and optimise forestry and manufacturing operations; improve volumes, recovery, yield, quality, unit costs and asset utilisation
Manage operational budgets, capital-expenditure programmes and resource allocation
Drive cost optimisation and asset reliability, including preventative maintenance and reduction of unplanned downtime
Ensure SHEQ, environmental, legal and certification compliance; lead operational risk and business-continuity planning (fire, supply, equipment, logistics)
Lead, mentor and develop senior management teams and build a high-performance culture
Prepare and present operational, financial and strategic reports to executive leadership and represent TWK in industry forums

Required Qualifications

Matric plus a relevant degree in Forestry, Wood Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Operations or Business Management
Postgraduate qualification in Business Management, Forestry, Engineering or Operations advantageous
Minimum 10 years' experience in forestry, timber manufacturing, timber processing or related operations
Minimum 8 years in senior operational leadership with responsibility for multi-site operations, financial performance and management teams
Strong knowledge of forestry operations, timber-supply management, manufacturing processes, certification, traceability and chain-of-custody requirements
Proven financial management, budgeting and cost-control capability; ERP and operational-reporting proficiency
Willingness to travel extensively between operational sites

Skills & Requirements

Forestry OperationsTimber Processing & ManufacturingTimber Supply PlanningMulti-site Operations LeadershipP&L ManagementCAPEX ManagementSHEQ ComplianceFSC / Chain-of-Custody CertificationAsset Reliability & MaintenanceOperational Risk & Business ContinuityStrategic PlanningStakeholder EngagementERP & Operational Reporting