Engineering Manager| Hennenman |Permanent

Edge Executive Search Group; Hennenman; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Edge Executive Search Group is recruiting an Engineering Manager for a large milling operation in Hennenman. The role focuses on asset reliability, maintenance execution, compliance, and continuous improvement across an integrated engineering function.

The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage plant availability targets, oversee CAPEX projects, and drive safety and operational standards in a high‑volume food production environment.

Qualifications

• GCC Factory certification is essential.
• 5+ years experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years as a GCC Factory Engineer.
• National Diploma, HND or Degree in Engineering.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering and maintenance activities across the milling operation.
• Develop and implement proactive asset management strategies.
• Drive preventative and planned maintenance to improve reliability.
• Oversee breakdown maintenance and root cause analysis.
• Ensure compliance with OHSA, ISO standards, and governance requirements.
• Manage budgets, spares, procurement, and cost optimisation.
• Lead major maintenance shutdowns and CAPEX projects.
• Mentor and develop engineering teams; plan succession.
• Align maintenance planning with production to maximise availability.

Skills

GCC Factory certification

Leadership experience

Analytical problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Decision-making

Maintenance leadership

Education

National Diploma/HND/Engineering Degree

Job description

Engineering Manager | Hennenman | Permanent

Drive engineering excellence in a high-performance milling environment where uptime, safety, and operational reliability are critical to success. This is an opportunity to lead plant engineering strategy while shaping a proactive maintenance culture in a complex manufacturing operation.

Our client is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to take accountability for asset reliability, maintenance execution, engineering compliance, and continuous improvement across a large-scale milling operation. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary maintenance teams, manage plant availability targets, oversee major maintenance and CAPEX projects, and ensure strict compliance with engineering, safety, and operational standards.

This role requires a commercially aware engineering leader with strong technical expertise, proven people leadership capability, and the ability to balance operational priorities with long-term asset management strategies. You will play a key role in improving plant efficiencies, reducing downtime, managing maintenance systems, and driving operational excellence initiatives.

Our client is a well-established manufacturing business operating within the food production sector. The organisation is recognised for its operational standards, engineering focus, and commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and sustainable plant performance.

What You’ll Do

• Lead all engineering and maintenance activities across the milling operation
• Develop and implement proactive asset management strategies
• Drive preventative and planned maintenance programmes to improve plant reliability
• Manage breakdown maintenance and root cause analysis initiatives
• Oversee engineering compliance, statutory inspections, and governance requirements
• Ensure compliance with OHSA regulations, ISO standards, and insurer requirements
• Manage engineering budgets, spares control, procurement processes, and cost optimisation
• Lead major maintenance shutdowns and CAPEX project implementation
• Conduct loss tree and Pareto analysis to identify repetitive equipment failures
• Manage outsourced maintenance providers and contractor performance
• Drive maintenance excellence and continuous improvement initiatives
• Lead and develop engineering teams through coaching, succession planning, and skills development
• Align maintenance planning with production requirements to maximise plant availability

What You Bring

• GCC Factories certification is essential
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar manufacturing environment
• At least 2 years’ experience as a GCC Factory Engineer
• National Diploma, Higher National Diploma, or Degree in EngineeringNo text beyond original characters
• Sound understanding of manufacturing equipment and engineering processes
• Proven leadership experience within a high-pressure operational environment
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capability
• Experience managing CAPEX projects, maintenance shutdowns, and contractors
• Knowledge of OHSA legislation, machinery regulations, and engineering compliance requirements
• Excellent communication, organisational, and stakeholder management skills

What Success Looks Like

• Mechanical and electrical downtime targets consistently achieved
• Improved plant availability and equipment reliability
• Maintenance completion rates exceed planned targets
• Engineering spend managed within approved budgets
• Safety audit scores maintained at exceptional standards
• Sustainable reduction in recurring equipment failures
• High-performing engineering teams with strong succession capability
• Successful implementation of operational improvement initiatives and CAPEX projects