Electrical Engineer: Agri Operations

Sovereign Foods Ltd; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 950,000; Full time

Job summary

Sovereign Foods Ltd seeks an Engineer: Continuous Improvement for Agriculture to provide technical support and training, with a focus on energy strategies and reduction. The role reports to the Southern Operations Manager and requires a BTech/BEng or ND in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years’ experience in electrical systems, automation, PLCs and energy projects.

The incumbent will lead maintenance, renewable energy initiatives and data analytics, while developing SOPs and training materials

Qualifications

• Excellent communicator with ability to train stakeholders.
• Energetic, innovative, inquisitive approach to support continuous improvement.
• Broad technical competence and strong computer literacy.
• Passionate about skills and knowledge transfer.
• Leadership that energizes teams in a dynamic environment.
• Good planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Knowledge of standards to ensure legal compliance.
• Understanding system integration, circuit design and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Manage electrical risks, capacity and ensure continuity via preventive maintenance, fault analysis and root-cause investigations.
• Drive renewable energy initiatives (wind/solar/heating) in Agriculture through technical competence and trial work.
• Perform data analytics using SKOV Environmental Control systems and infrastructure.
• Train end users on poultry environmental controllers and maintain supplier relationships.
• Balance thermal conditions and ventilation with cost controls to achieve world-class results.
• Provide technical guidance to SKOV technicians and electrical artisans.
• Develop SOPs and training materials to embed processes.
• Maintain relationships with external service providers and ensure electrical safety compliance.
• Manage feasibility, evaluation and commissioning of electrical projects across Agriculture.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Troubleshooting

System integration

Electrical standards

Education

BTech/BEng or ND in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Job Description

Sovereign, a national supplier of quality chicken products to various markets with operations in five provinces, is seeking a thorough and committed individual for the position of Engineer: Continuous Improvement for its operations in the Agriculture division. The SKOV Engineer is responsible for providing technical support and training to stakeholders and focus on energy strategies and reduction. This position reports to the Southern Operations Manager.

Minimum Qualifications: BTech, BEng or National Diploma in Electrical Engineering (NQF 6 or higher). Min of 5 years’ practical experience in Electrical systems, automation, PLC, variable speed drive, instrumentation or project management training. Exposure to renewable and alternate energy and poultry knowledge and experience will be a distinct advantage.

Responsibilities

• Manage the electrical risks, capacity and ensure business continuity through preventive maintenance, fault analysis, and root-cause investigations.
• Drive and influence the alternate and renewable energy (wind/solar/heating systems) requirement in the Agricultural department, through a combination of technical competence, innovation and trial work.
• Thorough data analytics through SKOV Environmental Control systems and associated infrastructure.
• Train end users on the poultry environmental management controllers and ensure the relationship with OEM suppliers are maintained, whilst staying abreast of new product development and AI integration possibilities.
• Balance thermal conditions and ideal ventilation settings with cost controls, to achieve world class results.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to SKOV technicians and electrical artisans.
• Ensure that technical SOP’s and training material is developed to embed existing processes.
• Maintain a technical support relationship and contact matrix with the external service providers (Municipal, Eskom, local government) and ensure SABS electrical safety compliance.
• Manage the feasibility, technical evaluation and commissioning of electrical projects across Agriculture.

Qualifications

• Excellent communicator.
• Energetic, innovative and inquisitive approach to support continuous improvement.
• Broad technical competence and strong computer literacy.
• Passionate about skills and knowledge transfer.
• Leader who energizes those around him/ her.
• Good planning and organizational skills in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent trouble shooting and diagnostic skills.
• Knowledge of the required standards to ensure legal compliance.
• Understanding system integration, circuit design and analysis.

Closing Date

30 September 2026

As Sovereign is an equal opportunity employer, preference will be given to applicants of designated groups, as defined by the Employment Equity Act.