Hybrid Solar PV & BESS Operations Lead

SET Recruitment Consultants; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

SET Recruitment Consultants is seeking a seasoned Hybrid Plant Manager to lead the operations and maintenance of a utility-scale Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System near Upington, Northern Cape. The role emphasizes safe, reliable, and efficient plant performance while managing contractors and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will develop asset health strategies, oversee maintenance activities, manage CMMS and spare parts, and build a high-performing site team with

Qualifications

• National Diploma (NQF 6) in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering advantageous.
• Minimum 10 years’ technical experience in energy sector.
• Minimum 5 years’ renewable energy O&M experience.
• Experience with utility-scale Solar PV and/or BESS is highly advantageous.
• Knowledge of HV/MV systems, substations and SCADA/CMMS.
• Experience managing contractors and outsourced maintenance teams.
• GMR 2.1 Appointee experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Operations & Maintenance of a utility-scale Solar PV and BESS facility.
• Oversee outsourced O&M contractors to ensure contractual compliance and best practice.
• Ensure safe, efficient and reliable plant performance in line with requirements.
• Develop and implement long-term asset health, maintenance and reliability strategies.
• Manage planned and unplanned maintenance per OEM recommendations.
• Oversee high-voltage/medium-voltage procedures and safety regulations.
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental and statutory requirements.
• Manage site outages, daily operations and maintenance activities.
• Administer plant documentation, reporting, compliance and quality systems.
• Manage CMMS, spare parts inventory and warranty processes.
• Coordinate specialist contractors for various services.
• Monitor plant KPIs including availability, MTTR, MTBF, MTTD.
• Prepare operational reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage site access, work permits and contractor performance.
• Build and lead a high-performing site team and staff development.
• Foster relationships with landowners and project stakeholders.
• Support commissioning, performance testing and handover to operations.
• Accept legal appointments under GMR where required.

Skills

Leadership

Electrical fault-finding

Stakeholder management

Safety compliance

Education

National Diploma in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SCADA

CMMS

MS Office 365

Job description

SET Recruitment Consultants is seeking a seasoned Hybrid Plant Manager to lead the operations and maintenance of a utility-scale Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System near Upington, Northern Cape. The role emphasizes safe, reliable, and efficient plant performance while managing contractors and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will develop asset health strategies, oversee maintenance activities, manage CMMS and spare parts, and build a high-performing site team with