About this role
Our client, an established international agro-processing group, is building a new plant in Midvaal, Gauteng. They are looking for an experienced Maintenance Manager to establish and lead the maintenance function, from commissioning readiness through to stable, continuous 24/7 operation. This is a site-based, immediate appointment, reporting directly to the Managing Director. You’ll shape the team, systems, workshop and spare-parts strategy that will keep the plant reliable for the long term. Key Responsibilities: Prepare the plant for handover: take part in technical reviews, walkdowns, equipment testing and commissioning, and close out maintainability, safety and warranty issues Set up the CMMS, asset hierarchy, preventive maintenance plans, procedures and work standards Establish the maintenance workshop, tools, testing equipment, critical spares and consumables Develop and continuously improve preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance programmes across mechanical, electrical, automation and utility equipment Lead fault-finding and root-cause analysis, and track availability, reliability, backlog and breakdown KPIs Plan shutdowns and interventions with Production and Silo teams to limit disruption Manage contractors, OEMs and specialist service providers, define scopes of work and monitor technical quality Take part in annual maintenance budgets, forecasts and CAPEX planning, and monitor spend against budget Recruit, organise and develop the maintenance team, including call-out and standby cover for continuous operation Enforce Permit-to-Work, isolation, Lockout/Tagout, hot-work and other safe-working procedures, and take part in risk assessments and incident investigations Coordinate statutory inspections, calibration and verification, and support HACCP, audits and food safety, quality and environmental systems Support reliable and efficient operation of utilities (boilers, refrigeration, heat recovery, compressed air) and drive energy and water efficiency The Technical Environment: Grain receiving, handling and storage: silos, conveyors and bucket elevators Malting and kilning equipment, industrial fans, pumps, motors and pneumatic systems Electrical distribution, VFDs, PLCs, industrial automation, instrumentation and process control CHP cogeneration, gas boilers, industrial refrigeration and cooling, heat recovery and dust extraction ATEX zones and confined spaces What We’re Looking For: Qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics, preferably NQF Level 7 or 8 About 5–10 years’ industrial maintenance experience, including supervising or managing a technical team Experience in manufacturing, process or heavy industry, with strong mechanical and electrical maintenance knowledge and working knowledge of industrial automation Experience with CMMS and preventive maintenance systems, troubleshooting, fault-finding and root-cause analysis Strong practical knowledge of industrial health and safety, machinery safety, risk assessment and safe maintenance practices Strong planning, coordination and cost-control capability GCC Factories certification Good command of English and competent use of standard computer tools Advantageous: Experience in food, beverage, brewing, malting, grain handling, milling, feed mill, agro-processing, sugar or another continuous-process industry Involvement in construction completion, commissioning or start-up of a new industrial plant, followed by operational maintenance responsibility SAP experience The Person: Hands-on and technically credible, dynamic and calm under pressure, with strong organisational and communication skills. You’re reliable, professional and a team builder who sets the standard for safety, ownership and discipline, and you’re willing to work extended hours and take part in on-call support when needed. If you’re a maintenance leader who wants to build something from the start, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now! Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted