General Manager: Maintenance and Projects (Acid Division)

Foskor; Richards Bay; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the chemical processing industry is seeking a General Manager for Maintenance and Projects. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and ensure optimal asset performance and regulatory compliance within the Acid Division. Responsibilities include developing maintenance strategies, managing capital projects, and ensuring plant reliability. Candidates must have extensive experience in industrial plants and relevant engineering qualifications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in chemical, metallurgical, or heavy industrial plants.
• At least 8 years in a senior leadership role within maintenance or engineering.
• Demonstrated success in executing CAPEX projects >R50 million.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead maintenance strategies for critical acid plant infrastructure.
• Drive reliability initiatives such as risk-based inspections and predictive maintenance.
• Lead planning and execution of engineering and plant upgrade projects.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Asset Integrity Management

Plant Reliability Improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Government Certificate of Competency (Factories or Mines & Works)

Project Management Certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent)

MBA, MBL, Postgraduate Qualification in Engineering or Master’s in Operations Management

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The General Manager – Maintenance and Projects is accountable for the strategic leadership, operational execution, and technical governance of engineering maintenance and capital projects within the Acid Division. The role ensures optimal asset performance, plant reliability, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective maintenance practices. The incumbent leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for fixed plant maintenance (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation), shutdown execution, and capital project delivery in a high-risk processing environment.

QUALIFICATION(S) AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Electrical (Essential)
• Government Certificate of Competency (Factories or Mines & Works) (Essential)
• Project Management Certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent)
• MBA, MBL, Postgraduate Qualification in Engineering or master’s in operations management (Advantageous)

Minimum Qualification(s) and Experience

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in chemical, metallurgical, or heavy industrial plants (e.g., sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, smelters, or refineries)
• At least 8 years in a senior leadership role within maintenance or engineering environments
• Demonstrated success in executing CAPEX projects >R50 million in a processing plant context
• Proven track record in plant reliability improvement, statutory inspections, and shutdown execution
• Experience engaging with regulators (e.g., DWS, NEMA, DMR), unions, and OEMs in high-risk environments

HEADLINE KEY RESULT AREAS:

• Maintenance Strategy Development and Execution

Develop and lead maintenance strategies for critical acid plant infrastructure, including reactors, acid towers, compressors, pumps, heat exchangers, electrical substations, and control systems. Ensure strategy alignment with production reliability and safety goals.

• Plant Reliability and Asset Integrity Management

Drive reliability initiatives such as risk-based inspections, predictive maintenance, and condition monitoring. Maintain asset integrity to reduce downtime and meet legislative inspection requirements (e.g., pressure vessels, lifting equipment).

• Capital and Operational Projects Execution

Lead planning and execution of engineering and plant upgrade projects, including brownfield and greenfield CAPEX projects. Ensure proper scoping, risk control, contractor performance, and adherence to project timelines and budgets.

• Engineering Governance and Compliance

Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements (e.g., GNR.734, DMR, NEMA, SANS standards, pressure equipment regulations). Maintain updated engineering drawings, registers, permits, and risk assessments.

• Shutdown, Turnaround and Emergency Maintenance Management

Lead annual and ad-hoc plant shutdowns, ensuring accurate scoping, safety protocols, resource coordination, and efficient execution. Provide leadership during plant emergencies and unplanned outages.

• Budgeting and Cost Management

Develop and control the division’s engineering OPEX and CAPEX budgets. Drive cost savings through procurement optimization, spares management, equipment standardization, and energy-efficient practices.