Manager Energy & Ancillary Services

Sappi is a leading global provider of sustainable woodfibre production and solutions. It is focusing on dissolving wood pulp, specialties and packaging papers, graphic/printing papers as well as biomaterials.

At Sappi Maastricht B.V. the Utilities department plays a pivotal role in enabling sustainable and efficient production by managing energy generation, procurement and optimization. This includes the operation of the power plant as well as strategic participation in energy balancing markets such as aFFR (automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve). The department is central to Sappi’s energy business, overseeing the commercial and technical management of ancillary services, an aFFR pool with external partners, and driving profitability through innovative energy solutions.

It also leads the mill’s energy transition and decarbonization strategy, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and contributing to Sappi’s long-term sustainability goals.

In this role you will report to the Manager Power Plant & Waste Water Treatment. You will be responsible for optimizing energy procurement, sales, and ancillary services (aFRR) to enhance profitability and sustainability. This role involves managing energy costs and revenues, leveraging data analytics for daily optimization, and driving innovation in energy management.

Key responsibilities include leading energy strategy, ensuring regulatory compliance, expanding the aFRR pool, and identifying new business opportunities. The role also includes representing Sappi in energy regulation discussions, managing internal and external energy audits, and driving strategic energy projects. This position combines leadership, innovation, and commercial expertise to support Sappi’s long-term energy and sustainability goals.

• Take full ownership of the energy procurement and sales strategy across diverse energy markets, optimizing cost-efficiency and profitability for the organization.
• Take full responsibility for managing energy and ancillary services (aFRR) costs and revenues, utilizing Sappi’s existing assets to maximize financial returns.
• Execute daily optimization strategies based on advanced data analytics and machine learning algorithms, ensuring the business remains competitive and agile in the rapidly evolving energy markets.
• Evaluate, lead, and implement high-impact energy and sustainability improvements, including assessing their financial, operational, and environmental benefits.

• Lead the growth of the aFRR pool, coordinating with the Business Developer to generate new leads, manage a high-value sales funnel, and close high-impact deals.

• Drive the company’s long-term energy strategy, creating a roadmap for energy optimization, emissions reductions, and the integration of circular economy initiatives in line with current and future legal and environmental regulations.

Lead the technical specialist of the Utilities Department, overseeing the maintenance of critical assets such as (E-)boilers, turbines, compressors, and water treatment systems.

• University degree in engineering, energy technology or a related field
• Proven experience in utilities, power plant management or industrial energy operations
• Strong knowledge of energy markets, aFFR and energy procurement strategies
• Demonstrated leadership and people management skills
• Excellent command of Dutch and English, both written and verbal

• Experience with decarbonization and sustainability programs
• Familiarity with ISO 50001 and SHEQ systems
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and participation in energy or industry forums
• Understanding of advanced analytics or machine learning in energy optimization

Travelling : occasional travel to partners, regulators and industry forums

On-site role with flexibility as required by business needs

• A fulltime position (40 hrs) with a permanent contract
• A premium-free pension plan, annual bonus…