Engineering Manager

Samancor Chrome; Noordwes; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Samancor Chrome seeks a Senior Engineering Manager to lead the engineering team responsible for asset management, maintenance planning, and lifecycle optimization at the site. You will drive safe and cost-effective strategies, ensuring compliance with HSE and statutory requirements while coordinating capital projects and performance targets.

The role requires a broad engineering background, extensive leadership experience, and the ability to manage complex operations under pressure.

Qualifications

• Mechanical or Electrical degree (B.Eng./BSc(Eng.) or ND) required.
• 8 years of relevant experience, with at least 3 years in management.
• Government Competency Certificate (Mines & Works) required.
• Master’s degree and ECSA registration advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Engineering Team to safely and cost‑effectively manage assets, maintenance and life cycle.
• Develop and implement maintenance strategies aligned with business goals.
• Ensure compliance with HSE, quality and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate large capital projects and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster labour stability, performance planning and talent development within the department.

Skills

People management

Maintenance planning

Safety leadership

Budget management

Education

B.Eng./BSc.Eng. or National Diploma

Master's Degree

ECSA professional registration

Tools

IMS

EBMS

Chromedoc

MES

SAP

Coupa

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To lead the Engineering Team in the safe and cost-effective execution of the Asset Management, including Maintenance Management and Life Cycle Management, through clearly defined strategies and objectives for maintenance of plant, equipment & facilities for the site.

Balanced Scorecard Pillars, Roles And Responsibilities

SAFETY, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY

• Identify and assess level of baseline- and issue-based risk exposures in area of responsibility by considering exposures to the business, financial and legal issues, people, equipment, material, environment, processes, etc.
• Consider the level of risk, apply mitigation and implement control measures for residual risk (set objectives, minimum requirements, etc.)
• Manage SHEQ compliance within the Department through effective use of the Toolbox
• Utilise the Integrated Management System (IMS) to analyse, identify trends, initiate, mitigate, investigate and report SHEQ status

PEOPLE

Manage The Department

• Ensure an enabling climate/culture
• Manage labour stability by minimising labour turnover
  • Labour complement in line with budget
  • Achieve HDSA/Female targets for the Department
• Manage performance against set targets and competencies
  • Ensure IDP’s are linked to performance results and implemented as per plan
• Conduct career discussions and implement actions with all identified talent (quarterly)
• Ensure discipline is maintained (absenteeism, lateness, overtime, misconduct, etc.)
• Coach and counsel people to ensure improved performance levels
• Conduct recruitment interviews

CUSTOMERS

• Maintain and improve relationships with key stakeholders
• Ensure customer and supplier satisfaction
• Jointly define deliverables with site production personnel by putting systems and controls in place that will ensure that the site is maintained at specified performance and within prescribed technical & legal requirements, that will permit a safe and environmentally acceptable operation, and meet the required production-rated capacity at minimum life cycle costs

BUSINESS PROCESSES

• Document and review the overall maintenance strategy on an annual basis to ensure that it is aligned with the business plan
• Ensure strict adherence to maintenance work management principles (percent planned work, adherence to schedule, number of breakdowns, number of proactive requests) to obtain maximum plant availability at minimum maintenance cost per unit produced
• Manage the Engineering Assets to ensure that they produce at their designed capacity and are periodically refurbished to their original condition to ensure optimal life
• Ensure strict adherence to the relevant engineering standards and specifications
• Periodically audit the asset and documentation to obtain maximum standardisation of spares and new plant installations on the site
• Project Manager for large capital-intensive projects
• Implement appropriate maintenance strategies for the plant
• Plan and implement small to medium capital and continuous improvement projects
• Develop and maintain systems to comply to all statutory requirements
• Build a competent team to maintain the plant and improve equipment reliability
• Contribute and participate in group and industry technical forums

Working Conditions

• Overtime
• Standby
• Travel
• Carry Legal Appointment

WORKPLACE COMPETENCIES:

• Microsoft Programs
• Samancor Chrome Systems (IMS, EBMS, Chromedoc, MES, SAP, Coupa)

Job Skills

• Required training as per training matrix
• Soft skills as identified per department / level

Knowledge

• Demonstrate an Engineering or technical understanding
• Demonstrate knowledge of relevant HR and Labour relations acts and regulations
• Demonstrate knowledge of relevant HSE acts, regulations and standards
• Demonstrate knowledge of business administration including costs and finance
• Demonstrate the ability to work with diverse groups of people
• Demonstrate the ability to work under extreme pressure and to prioritize effectively
• Demonstrate the ability to understand processes and problems on an operational as well as strategic level
• Demonstrate the ability to manage costs and budget
• Demonstrate the ability to understand departmental influence on the rest of the business

Minimum Requirements

• Mechanical or Electrical B.Eng./ BSc.(Eng.) Degree or National Diploma
• 8 years’ relevant experience, preferably 3 years’ managerial experience
• Government Competency Certificate (Mines & Works)

Additional Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• MBA/ MBL
• Professional registration with ECSA

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