Engineering / Maintenance Manager

Rivers Labour Consultants; Piet Retief; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivers Labour Consultants is seeking an Engineering / Maintenance Manager for a dynamic sawmilling operation in Piet Retief. The ideal candidate will lead all engineering and maintenance operations, ensuring high levels of equipment reliability and compliance.

Applicants should have at least 10 years of managerial experience in a heavy industrial environment and a N6 Mechanical Engineering qualification. Strong leadership skills and the ability to improve operational efficiencies are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years' engineering and maintenance management experience in heavy industry.
• Experience in sawmilling, forestry, or manufacturing is advantageous.
• Ability to be appointed as GMR 2.1 responsible person under Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage preventative maintenance programmes.
• Ensure maximum plant uptime and equipment reliability.
• Lead and develop maintenance teams and workshop operations.

Skills

Strong leadership and people management skills

Excellent fault-finding abilities

Operational management

Computer literacy with maintenance management systems

Problem-solving skills

Education

N6 Mechanical Engineering qualification

BTech or BEng in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Engineering / Maintenance Manager – Piet Retief

Our client, a dynamic medium-sized sawmilling operation, is seeking a driven and hands‑on Engineering / Maintenance Manager to lead and manage all engineering, maintenance, and mechanical operations within the business.

The successful candidate will be operationally focused, technically competent, and capable of driving high levels of equipment reliability, plant availability, engineering compliance, and continuous improvement within a demanding production environment.

Minimum Requirements

• N6 Mechanical Engineering qualification
• BTech or BEng in Mechanical Engineering will be advantageous
• Minimum of 10 years' engineering and maintenance management experience within a heavy industrial environment
• Experience within sawmilling, forestry, timber processing, or manufacturing industries will be advantageous
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Excellent fault-finding, planning, and operational management abilities
• Computer literacy and experience with maintenance management systems are essential
• Ability to be appointed as the GMR 2.1 responsible person in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Key Responsibilities

• Implement, manage, and continuously improve preventative maintenance programmes
• Ensure maximum plant uptime, equipment reliability, and effective production support
• Manage maintenance budgets, engineering costs, and spare parts inventory efficiently
• Lead and develop maintenance teams, contractors, and workshop operations
• Drive engineering housekeeping, safety, and legal compliance standards
• Reduce equipment downtime and improve operational efficiencies
• Oversee boilers, pressure vessels, conveyors, saw lines, mobile equipment, and related plant infrastructure
• Ensure engineering compliance in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations
• Accept accountability as the GMR 2.1 appointee and fulfil all associated legal responsibilities
• Conduct root cause failure analyses and implement corrective actions
• Develop maintenance schedules, shutdown plans, and long‑term asset management strategies
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance plant performance and reliability

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Plant availability and uptime
• Maintenance cost control
• Downtime reduction
• Equipment reliability
• Compliance with legal and safety requirements
• Preventative maintenance completion rates
• Asset life extension and optimisation
• Team performance and productivity

Personal Attributes

• Energetic, disciplined, and self‑motivated
• Strong work ethic with a hands‑on management style
• Ability to work under pressure and make sound operational decisions
• Results‑driven with a high level of accountability and ownership
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities