Factory Maintenance & Facilities Manager — Food-Safe Ops

University of Fort Hare; Somerset West; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Fort Hare in Somerset West is seeking a Facilities and Factory Maintenance Manager for the food production site. This role oversees safe, efficient operation of facilities, equipment, utilities and freeze-drying production, combining hands-on maintenance with leadership.

You will manage preventative maintenance, coordinate contractors, ensure food-safety compliance (HACCP/ISO 22000), monitor cold-chain systems, and lead a small cleaning and maintenance team to keep the plant

Qualifications

• Hands-on maintenance experience in a factory, manufacturing or similar environment.
• Strong practical electrical knowledge and fault-finding ability.
• Mechanical and technical troubleshooting skills.
• Experience with preventative maintenance and equipment servicing.
• Ability to manage contractors and service providers.
• Good computer literacy and willingness to learn inventory/production software.
• Strong problem-solving, organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise urgent issues and take ownership.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the factory’s facilities, infrastructure, equipment and general maintenance.
• Perform hands-on maintenance, repairs and basic electrical fault-finding.
• Manage preventative maintenance schedules and equipment servicing.
• Identify potential problems early and implement practical solutions.
• Coordinate external contractors and specialist technicians where required.
• Maintain accurate maintenance, repair and servicing records.
• Ensure the factory remains safe, functional and suitable for food production.
• Manage and supervise the factory cleaning team of approximately three employees.
• Allocate cleaning duties and monitor standards, performance and attendance.
• Ensure cleaning schedules, deep cleans and hygiene procedures are followed.
• Ensure chemicals and cleaning equipment are used and stored correctly.
• Maintain required cleaning records.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the freeze-drying department.
• Supervise and instruct production staff.
• Prepare, load and unload freeze dryers and monitor production cycles.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues where possible.
• Ensure correct product handling, labelling, storage and traceability.
• Maintain accurate production, yield, loss and quality records.
• Capture production and stock information accurately in the company’s inventory system.
• Record stock movements, production quantities and finished goods.
• Assist with stock counts and investigate discrepancies.
• Report shortages or discrepancies promptly.
• Monitor freezers, cold rooms, blast chillers/freezers and refrigeration systems.
• Respond promptly to temperature deviations or equipment failures, including outside normal working hours when necessary.
• Protect stock during equipment failures and coordinate specialist repairs.
• Ensure temperature-monitoring systems remain operational.
• Act as a factory key holder and manage opening and closing when required.
• Ensure the factory is secure and ready for operation.
• Manage alarms, CCTV, access control and biometric systems.
• Report and follow up on security issues.
• Allocate tasks, provide clear instructions and monitor performance.
• Train employees and provide practical on-the-job guidance.
• Promote high standards of safety, food safety, housekeeping and accountability.
• Communicate effectively with management, employees, contractors and suppliers.
• This is a high-ownership role. The manager is expected to identify risks early, communicate issues promptly, find practical solutions and ensure outstanding actions are followed through to completion. The role may require availability outside normal working hours for urgent machinery breakdowns, cold-chain failures or food-safety concerns.

Skills

Maintenance

Electrical fault-finding

Troubleshooting

Preventative maintenance

Team leadership

Contractor management

Inventory software

Time management

Tools

Inventory software

Job description

University of Fort Hare in Somerset West is seeking a Facilities and Factory Maintenance Manager for the food production site. This role oversees safe, efficient operation of facilities, equipment, utilities and freeze-drying production, combining hands-on maintenance with leadership.

You will manage preventative maintenance, coordinate contractors, ensure food-safety compliance (HACCP/ISO 22000), monitor cold-chain systems, and lead a small cleaning and maintenance team to keep the plant