Foreman Fitter SF

Valterra Platinum Limited; Thabazimbi; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Valterra Platinum Limited is seeking a Fitter Foreman SF to lead a maintenance team at our South Africa operations. You will manage safety, reliability and performance of concentrator equipment in line with MHSA regulations, supervising artisans and assistants.

The role requires a qualified Fitter with foreman certification and at least five years of post‑trade supervisory experience. Strong planning, budgeting and incident investigation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 with Maths and Science is required.
• Fitter qualification with post-trade experience.
• Foreman certificate preferred.
• Supervisory experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of artisans and assistants to ensure safe, efficient maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with MHSA regulations and standards.
• Develop and manage maintenance plans and budgets.
• Coordinate daily, weekly, and monthly work schedules.
• Oversee safety and housekeeping and incident investigations.
• Produce regular progress reports to management.
• Plan spares and materials for maintenance activities.
• Maintain high equipment reliability and availability.

Skills

Safety leadership

Team supervision

Maintenance planning

Quality control

Education

Grade 12 with Maths and Science

Fitter Trade Certificate

Foreman Certificate

Job description

Company Description

Valterra Platinum is one of the world’s leading integrated producers of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs). We are guided by our purpose of unearthing value to better our world.

Company Description

Valterra Platinum is one of the world’s leading integrated producers of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs). We are guided by our purpose of unearthing value to better our world.

We safely and responsibly mine PGMs and their associated co-products at our mines in South Africa and Zimbabwe, before smelting and refining them at our own processing facilities. Our processing facilities include our Base Metals Refinery, the largest producer of nickel cathode in South Africa, and our Precious Metals Refinery, which is one of the most technologically advanced plants of its kind.

Our expertise spans the full breadth of our integrated value chain, including mining, processing, sales, trading and market development. Through our marketing offices in Johannesburg, London, Singapore and Shanghai, we deliver high-quality products to our international customer base. We also contribute to the market development of the broader PGM industry through partnerships with our customers and research institutions in the industrial, investment and jewellery sectors. We are committed to zero harm, integrating sustainability into everything we do.

Job Description

The Fitter Foreman SF is responsible to ensure a safe, efficient and productive operation and engineering maintenance on all equipment in the concentrator through the supervision and management of a team of artisans and assistants. This must be done according to MHSA regulations and all relevant standards and procedures.

Roles And Responsibilities Include The Following

Safety

• Create a safety culture through technical guidance, training and providing tools and spares that allow all employees (including contracting partners) to provide their outputs in a risk-controlled environment. Oversee consistent application of Safety & Health principles in all discipline interactions and take personal responsibility for safety of self and others to ensure zero harm and elimination of fatalities.

Performance and Delivery

• Effective administration systems
• Timely and accurate information
• Team trained on applicable tasks
• Tasks completed to the required standard
• Uphold housekeeping standards
• Ensure management systems are developed and sustainable controls in place
• Support the achievement of the business area plan
• Assist the Engineering management team in developing an operational plan for the year to support the Concentrating process in achieving throughput objectives
• Undertake to plan, up to 1 year ahead and assist with 5-year planning, the budge requirements according to the planned maintenance schedules verses operational targets and budgets
• Undertake to plan the spares requirements according to the planned maintenance schedule and ensure their availability
• Liaise with the Engineering management team regarding daily, weekly and monthly progress to plan, budget and employee resources
• Oversee that all work practices are executed in compliance with legal requirements
• Regularly communicate progress of section against operational targets and objectives via a design communication and supervisory forum to subordinates
• Evaluate, monitor and provide continuous feedback to the section engineer regarding the performance efficiencies, standards of the section labour, equipment, budget and process targets.
• Oversee the quality of workmanship and conduct regular inspections around the section of responsibility.
• Process remains fully operational
• Plan and co-ordinate daily, weekly and monthly work requirements and priorities with operational team (planned work and shutdowns)
• Allocate labour resources and equipment to scheduled and priority activities so as to maintain and ensure high levels of labour, equipment and operational performance standards
• Ensure the reduction of costs caused by incidents and incidents by:
• Chairing green area meetings at the start of each day
• Attending General Safety meeting and giving feedback to team
• Stop and repair equipment as soon as possible after problem identification.
• Investigation of incidents/accidents in area of responsibility (find root causes and sort out timeously)
• Ensure procedures are followed – doing planned task observations from time to time
• Liaise with the other Foreman to ensure that any problems that could overlap with other sections are pro-actively identified and discussed
• Oversee the development of a healthy spirit of co-operation within the section
• Identify operational priorities within the section that would ensure the optimisation of the section’s performance
• Monitor the process to identify any possible problems or risk areas to the section and schedule remedy actions
• Ensure availability for afterhours standby duties
• Allocate multi-task team members to Artisans when required to perform and ensure effective maintenance
• Accompany the Engineers on regular inspections and audits around the section
• Review operational plans and re-assign targets and objectives to subordinates
• Provided regular support to both the process operational and technical employees within the section as well as to other sections on fitter matters
• Takes charge during crises and major overhauls/maintenance by
• Capturing data to be used for analysis to ensure better maintenance
• Find the cause of breakdowns and correct
• Update drawings on instrument loops and when changes occur
• Conduct regular inspections on all work (over inspections on planned jobs and repairs to set standards/legal requirements) to ensure safety and maintenance of technical standards
• Control costs to achieve maximum availability at lowest expense by
• Quality maintenance tested by random inspections
• Stop unnecessary overtime
• Ensure correct calling out (procedure and investigate)
• Purchasing good quality equipment
• Reparation of spares as soon as possible
• Have tools necessary for the job available
• Update work instructions
• Assist / guide the Plant Maintenance Clerk to supply reliable maintenance information
• Good employee relations
• Ensure that employees have clear work expectations and plans
• Communicate effectively with manager
• Support the induction of new employees
• Assist with the succession planning process of the section
• Hold disciplinary and grievance inquiries
• Identify potential conflict situations and minimize the implications
• Control discipline and ensure fair decisions regarding Industrial Relations
• Fairly manage cultural diversity
• Identify ideas to increase motivation
• Ensure that work is fairly allocated
• Ensure competency of employees for the work required
• Advise employees on career opportunities and the requirements to achieve personal growth
• Maintain the discipline within the section through objective and fair application of employee supervision rules
• Develop a strong sense of co-operation and teamwork amongst the section employees
• Encourage a sense of pride amongst the section employees regarding their workmanship
• Ensure the section supports each other in the accomplishment of their targets
• Oversee that the required material, equipment, spares and staff are available to achieve the output
• Participate in the selection of the sections team employees
• Effective two-way open communication with employees
• Develop a trusting and mutual respect relationship with internal and external service suppliers
• Ensure that employees work in a safe environment
• Support and participate in the training and development requirements of employees
• Administration of necessary systems
• Compile accurate reports
• Ensure that required job instructions are available to employees
• Implement and maintain applicable Safety, Regulations, The Act, Codes of practices, procedures and standards
• Complete safety, injury, hazard, risk and incident reports
• Conduct required meetings including safety
• Establish procedures for abnormal work requirements which fall outside of standard procedures
• Ensure that accurate labour records including overtime worked are maintained
• Ensure that all the data captured on the operational and technical management information and control systems are accurate and timeous
• Prepare adhoc reports for management or other information customers
• Assist and participate in Risk Management Programmes
• Completion of audit administration
• Ensure that engineering administration requirements are complied with
• Regularly review operational and technical data to extract trends, identify problems and compile management reports

People & Teams

• Actively engage as a team member in all team processes.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with internal and external regulatory, legislative and permitting requirements.

This role is on a C5 level reporting to the Section Engineer.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 with Maths and science
• Qualified as a Fitter (Certified Competent as Fitter or Fitter Trade Certificate)
• Foreman Certificate

Experience

• 5 years post trade qualified experience
• Supervisory experience would be advantageous

Knowledge And Skills

• English literate
• Computer Literacy

Additional Information

What We Offer

At Valterra Platinum, you will join a team committed to excellence, performance and meaningful impact. We offer the opportunity to do purposeful work in a high-performance, values-led environment, supported by market-aligned reward and recognition. You will have access to continuous learning, development and career progression, within a culture that values diversity, encourages innovation and fosters a strong sense of belonging. Above all, we are unwavering in our commitment to safe operations ensuring that safety remains at the centre of everything we do.

Inclusion and Diversity

Valterra Platinum is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfil their potential. Preference may be given to suitably qualified persons from designated groups in accordance with Valterra Platinum’s Employment Equity Plan and in support of employment equity legislation. We are dedicated to building an accessible and barrier-free environment, ensuring that people with disabilities are supported, accommodated, and empowered to thrive at every level of our organisation.

Valterra Platinum has taken a firm stand against all dignity harms, including all acts of gender-based violence, bullying, harassment and victimisation. Ensuring the safety of our employees extends beyond physical safety and includes the eradication of harmful behaviours from our workplace. This responsibility extends to everyone at Valterra Platinum both during work hours and outside of work. We are unconditional in creating a respectful, inclusive, and safe working environment to ensure that no colleague will be violated or harassed under our watch.

Closing Date: 15 October 2026