Engineering Manager

AVI Limited; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG company is seeking an Engineering Manager in Cape Town to oversee maintenance efforts and ensure compliance with safety standards. The role requires a hands-on leader with over 15 years of experience in engineering management, particularly in an FMCG or food manufacturing environment. Responsibilities include budget management, team leadership, and enhancing equipment performance. Candidates with strong knowledge of maintenance systems and techniques, especially in the fishing industry, will be highly considered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15+ years within an FMCG environment as an Engineering Manager or Maintenance Manager.
• Hands-on leader with high standards to uplift equipment condition.
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment, particularly fishing industry, is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage maintenance budget and compile annual maintenance budget.
• Ensure equipment availability and implement cost reduction initiatives.
• Lead the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering team.

Skills

Maintenance management

Engineering leadership

Risk compliance

Budgeting

Team management

FMCG experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Government Certificate of Competency - GCC Factories

Job description

Job title: Engineering Manager

Job Location: Western Cape, Cape Town

Deadline: January 02, 2026

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• The purpose of the role includes the maintenance and engineering effort for the plant including safety and risk compliance, plant equipment availability and performance, utilities and energy management, budget development and people management.

Line Manager: Head of Engineering

Number of Direct Reports: 4

Key Performance Areas

Safety, Health and Environment (SHE)

• General Machinery Regulations GMR 2.1 appointment.
• Collaborate with the Risk Department on compliance matters, risk audits and site security.
• Fire systems maintenance and compliance with ASIB code.

People Management

• Ensure appropriate team structure that is aligned with the site engineering and maintenance strategy, as well as the proper manufacturing support.
• Develop and maintain the foremen and artisan competencies.
• Manage the overall morale of the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering team.

Maintenance Budget

• Compile the annual maintenance budget.
• Monthly maintenance cost control and reporting.
• Oversee and implement cost reduction and productivity initiatives.
• Oversee critical spares identification, management and control.

Plant and Services Availability

• Equipment availability management.
• Equipment MTBF and MTTR improvement.
• Equipment shutdown management and Preventative Maintenance (PM) schedules.
• Co-ordinate OEM support on critical equipment.

Maintenance Department Performance

• KPI’s tracking and reporting.
• Employee management and control.
• Maintenance system improvement and strategy.
• Maintenance strategy and tactical approach.
• Foreman and Artisan leadership, training and development.
• ERP system improvement.

Maintenance Systems Improvement and Strategy

• Maintenance strategy and tactical approach.
• Root Cause Analysis identification.
• Support world class manufacturing strategy.
• Team structure to match the strategy.

Utilities Management

• Water and energy reporting and sustainability improvement.

Minimum Requirements

Experience

• Applicants must possess significant, multi-decade professional experience in maintenance and engineering management. We therefore welcome experienced Engineering Managers who are at any stage of their careers, whether contract-based or permanent.
• We are seeking a hands‑on leader with high standards to uplift equipment condition and address practical risk issues. The successful individual will spend much of their time in the factory bringing change and leading by example.
• Minimum 15+ years within an FMCG environment as an Engineering Manager or Maintenance Manager
• Previous experience in a food manufacturing environment, particularly the fishing industry would be advantageous

Qualifications

• Completed Bachelor's Degree or National Diploma in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering
• Government Certificate of Competency - GCC Factories

Additional Requirements

• Maintenance systems and measures
• OHS Act knowledge and experience
• Experience of equipment technical support - mechanical, electrical, process
• Food safety requirements, such as HACCP and AIB would be advantageous
• Engineering / Technical jobs