Manager Sawshop

---

Job Description

Fiji Pine Group (FPG) is a state-owned forestry and wood-processing organisation in Fiji, responsible for the sustainable management of the country’s pine plantation resources. The Group is involved in plantation establishment, harvesting, timber processing, and the supply of wood products for local and export markets. Through its various subsidiary companies, Fiji Pine Group (FPG) plays a key role in supporting rural employment, landowner participation, and the long-term development of Fiji’s forestry sector while promoting sustainable and responsible forest management.

The Manager Saw Shop is a specialized leadership role. The position is directly responsible for maximizing sawmill cutting efficiencies, managing critical blade and tool asset lifecycles and ensuring absolute adherence to domestic engineering and sawmill regulations, structural timber standards and international certifications and compliance.

Outcomes

Organisational Stakeholders
1. Sawshop facility operations managed and maintained
Lead and supervise saw shop operations, ensuring optimal performance of saws, blades and cutting tools. Oversee the sharpening, tipping, tensioning, and leveling of all bandsaws, circular saws and cutter heads to guarantee precise timber dimensions. Oversee maintenance schedules to minimize downtime and maximize tool life. Implement preventive maintenance programs and introduce modern saw shop technologies. Align saw shop operations with production requirements of pine and hardwood sawmills. Ensure inventory management of saw shop consumables, spare parts and tooling equipment. Enforce rigid Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws tailored to saw doctoring environments, managing noise exposure, metal dust extraction and hazardous waste disposal.
2. Promote Operational Excellence
Establish KPIs for compliance adherence, saw shop efficiency and safety performance. Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to ensure saw shop output supports production targets. Drive continuous improvement initiatives in compliance systems and saw shop processes. Monitor tool performance and cutting accuracy to maintain high product standards. Provide technical training and development on sawmill operations, standards and compliance matters.
3. Team management
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate saw shop staff performance. Conduct training programs on compliance, safety, and technical standards. Foster a culture of accountability, discipline, and innovation. Ensure alignment of saw shop staff with TWIL’s operational and compliance objectives.
4. Governance and Reporting
Maintain accurate records of compliance audits, saw shop activities, and maintenance schedules. Provide monthly dual reports to Senior Manager Engineering on saw shop operations, tool performance and resource utilization. Ensure transparent communication with stakeholders regarding compliance risks and operational challenges.
5. Support provided to other areas within the organisation
Gather data, prepare, and compile reports for lumber inventory and cutting, and maintain continuous communication with the Production Team regarding production capacities, forecasts, and goals. Oversee the resolution of complex issues and problems in the sawshop Ensure to address the more complex issues escalated by team members or referred from other units. Supervise, coordinate, and control the resources of the assigned units to ensure enhanced service delivery and efficiency. Maintain effective communication with relevant internal stakeholders.
6. FPG operational and statutory compliance
Statutory compliant to laws and regulations Health and safety compliance Operationally compliant to the FPG policies and procedures ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, proper housekeeping, and OHS standards machinery, equipment, and tools should be handled and operated safely and correctly.
7. Informed management and other stakeholders
Provide technical / professional  advice to clients and other stakeholders Conduct research and compile reports for management
8. A developing and growing Sawshop facility
Analyze unit results and recommend process improvements, provide input and adhere to the approved budget. Keep up-to-date understanding products, regulatory practices and procedures, processing standards, and systems. Assist in and contribute to the trials of innovative methods and improved engineering practices in collaboration with the department manager. Ensure compliance with operating standards, aid in coordinating production schedules, and assist with budget planning. Accountable for all tools and inventory, which must be maintained at levels sufficient to meet agreed-upon requirements. Offer on-the-job training, along with innovative ideas and solutions for enhancements, to increase efficiency and attain the primary objectives of the planer mill unit. Perform any additional duties within the scope of the position or as delegated by the department manager from time to time.

Responsibilities - Critical Competencies

Competence	Description
People
Self-Management	Manage your priorities and objectives efficiently and effectively
Professional
Technical Strength	Demonstrate knowledge of a specialist discipline.
Compliance	Comply with relevant laws and the policies and procedures of the organisation.
Mathematical Reasoning	Apply mathematical reasoning.
Operational
Equipment Operation	Control the operation of specialised equipment, plant or vehicles to satisfy the demands of the assignment.
Maintenance	Monitor and/or maintain equipment, plant or vehicles in sound operating order.
Health and Safety	Establish and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
Environment	Establish and maintain an environmentally friendly organisation
Stock Control	Acquire and monitor stock to meet business needs

Qualifications

Qualification	Discipline	Notes
Desirable
Degree	Mechanical Engineering , Industrial Engineering
Desirable
Diploma	Mechanical Engineering , Industrial Engineering
Preferred
Certificate	Mechanical Engineering , Industrial Engineering	Saw doctoring

Work Knowledge and Experience

1. EITHER a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related discipline, minimum 5 - 6 years’ experience in saw shop operations, technical compliance, or manufacturing.
2. Strong knowledge of sawmill operations (pine, hardwood, wood chipping).
3. Expertise in saw shop tooling, sharpening and maintenance practices.
4. Ability to conduct independent compliance audits and risk assessments.
5. Leadership skills to manage saw doctors, assistants and apprentices.
6. Problem solving skills for operational and compliance challenges.
7. Strong commitment to safety, quality and governance standards.
8. OR a combination of extensive technical training in saw shop operations and technical compliance with over 10 years experience in saw shop operations, technical compliance or manufacturing.
9. OR a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related discipline, minimum 7 - 8 years’ experience in saw shop operations, technical compliance, or manufacturing.
10. Strong knowledge of compliance frameworks, industry standards and occupational health and safety regulations.
11. Proven leadership experience managing technical teams in industrial settings.
12. Excellent analytical, reporting and problem solving skills.
13. OR a Trade Certificate in Saw Doctoring, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related discipline, minimum 8 - 9 years’ experience in saw shop operations, technical compliance, or manufacturing.

Requirements

Language Proficiency
Excellent command of English
Proficiency in English for reporting, documentation, and communication with internal teams

Interactions

Interaction	Comments
Internal
Sawmill Manager
Mechanical Department
Electrical & Instrumentation Department
Finance Team
External
Relevant Government Ministries	Sawdoctor training

Attributes

Attribute	Definition
Behavioural Styles
Accountable	Assumes full responsibility for own actions and identifies with the success or failure of own part of the overall work/goal.
Detail oriented	Attends to the small elements of a task/activity, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
Integrity	Adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Interpersonal Styles
Objective	Impartial and honest in dealings with others, eliminating own feelings and view to reach a balanced judgement.
Team Oriented	Enjoys being with others as part of a group or team.
Perceptive	Shows keen insight and understanding of issues or situations.
Thinking Styles
Analytic	Able to separate things into their constituent elements in order to study or examine them, draw conclusions, or solve problems.
Well organised	Controls tasks in a well thought out and critical manner.
Disciplined/Systematic	Is controlled in conduct, shows an orderly pattern of behaviour, following a methodical and thorough approach.

Apply Now