Operations Planner - Jeune Landing (Forestry, Logging & Mill Operations)

Full Time

  Western Forest Products Inc (http://www.westernforest.com)

  Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Operations Planner plays a lead role in Forest Operations Planning, providing ongoing tenure administration and permit acquisition services. The incumbent is responsible for engineering, road construction planning and harvest forecasting within the operation.  The Operations Planner is a strategic, innovative, and creative leader responsible for delivering the Operation’s annual and long-term targets and goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety & Environmental Performance

  • Provide leadership in safety and environmental stewardship by demonstrating and ensuring the adherence of company safety and sustainability processes and procedures.

Financial Performance

  • Prepare and manage the annual road construction and engineering budget;
  • Work closely with the Divisional Accountant to ensure all operational decisions are based on sound financial analytics;
  • Utilize financial data to analyze trends and make recommendations to improve efficiency;
  • Recommend effective and innovative strategies to drive cost efficiencies in the operation.

Leadership

  • Provide leadership and direction to improve safety, reduce operational costs, and maximize value and margins while meeting customer requirements;
  • Manage and supervise engineering/planning/forestry employees and contractors at the operation;
  • Create and sustain a culture of accountability and continuous improvement;
  • Protect Western’s reputation by managing issues, engaging support from senior leadership as required;
  • Hire, train, coach and manage the performance of salaried staff and contractors;
  • Actively maintain current and potential mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations partners, Government agencies and public and private interest groups to support access to incremental fibre; and
  • Liaison with Corporate Forestry Planners to assist in strategic planning.
  • Participate in the consultation process with First Nations and other stakeholders, acting as a member of the information sharing team.

Operations

  • Establish the annual production forecast and coordinate engineering, GIS, and development activities required for the annual timber harvest;
  • Plan, schedule and manage planning/engineering functions such as road layout and harvest layout, to ensure efficiency and continuity of operations;
  • Oversee and work with other Planners to prepare and manage forestry and engineering and road construction budgets;
  • Support the coordination and management of Company certification systems (EMS, CSA, FSC) within the Operation;
  • Prepare and peer review the various plans and assessments associated with cutblock development including:
  • Site Plans, Harvest, Road, Silviculture and Deactivation Instructions, Cutting Permit Submissions, Road Permit Submissions and related engineering projects, and preparation of other applications as necessary;
  • Assess completed activities for adherence to plans and enact corrective measures, as required;
  • Prepare and coordinate property issues including Road Use Agreements, as required;
  • Provide input and peer review to the Forest Stewardship Plan as required; and
  • Ensure compliance with various Operational Plans and Company policies in regards to cut block development.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

  • 7-10 years of experience in Operations Planning with increasingly responsible roles;
  • Post-secondary degree or diploma in Forestry or related degree or diploma in Natural Resource Management; and
  • Current accreditation with the Association of BC Forest Professionals.

Skills, Knowledge and Required Competencies

  • Excellent understanding and comprehension of Forest Management and Land Use Planning;
  • Proven ability to work in a team environment with good communication skills and an ability to speak confidently in a public setting;
  • Good working knowledge of legal regulations and requirements related to BC crown and private land forest operations;
  • Knowledge of road construction forest harvesting practices with a strong focus on improving safety, quality, and efficiency; and
  • Experience with forestry software (CENFOR (GENUS), ROAD ENG and Forest Ops) as well as technology (i.e. LiDAR) would be considered an asset.