General Manager: Maintenance & Projects

Foskor; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the chemical industry seeks a General Manager for Maintenance and Projects. This role involves strategic leadership in engineering maintenance and capital projects, ensuring optimal asset performance and compliance in a high-risk environment. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in heavy industrial plants and proven leadership in maintenance strategy and project execution.

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.
• Successful execution of CAPEX projects >R50 million.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Leadership

Project 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, or postgraduate qualification in Engineering or Operations Management

Job description

The General Manager – Maintenance and Projects is responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational execution, and technical governance for engineering maintenance and capital projects within the Acid Division. This 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.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (Essential)
• Government Certificate of Competency (Factories or Mines & Works) (Essential)
• Project Management Certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent)
• MBA, MBL, or postgraduate qualification in Engineering or Operations Management (Advantageous)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in chemical, metallurgical, or heavy industrial plants (e.g., sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, smelters, refineries)
• At least 8 years in a senior leadership role within maintenance or engineering environments
• Successful execution of 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

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1. Maintenance Strategy Development and Execution: Develop and lead maintenance strategies for critical acid plant infrastructure, ensuring alignment with safety and production reliability goals.
2. Plant Reliability and Asset Integrity Management: Drive reliability initiatives like risk-based inspections, predictive maintenance, and condition monitoring to reduce downtime and meet legislative inspection requirements.
3. Capital and Operational Projects Execution: Lead planning and execution of engineering and plant upgrade projects, ensuring proper scoping, risk management, contractor performance, and adherence to timelines and budgets.
4. Engineering Governance and Compliance: Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, maintain updated engineering documentation, permits, and risk assessments.
5. Shutdown, Turnaround, and Emergency Maintenance Management: Lead plant shutdowns, ensuring safety, resource coordination, and efficient execution; provide leadership during emergencies and outages.
6. Budgeting and Cost Management: Develop and control engineering OPEX and CAPEX budgets, driving cost savings through procurement, spares management, and energy efficiency practices.

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