Instrument Technician

Tiger Brands; Brakpan; On-site; ZAR 320,000 - 430,000; Full time

Job summary

Tiger Brands in South Africa seeks an experienced Instrumentation Technician to maintain and troubleshoot instrumentation and control systems in FMCG production equipment. You will calibrate sensors, calibrate and service transmitters, valves and actuators, and support PLC/HMI/SCADA systems to ensure high availability and safe, compliant operations.

You will read P&IDs and diagrams, perform root-cause analysis, and participate in continuous improvements to boost OEE and quality while minimizing

Qualifications

• Instrumentation trade test is required.
• PLC and automation training or certification is essential.
• Calibration training is advantageous.
• FMCG/manufacturing experience is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance on instrumentation and control equipment.
• Troubleshoot electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and instrumentation faults on production machinery.
• Calibrate and maintain instruments such as pressure transmitters, temperature sensors, flow meters and level transmitters.
• Maintain and troubleshoot PLC, HMI and SCADA systems.
• Maintain pneumatic control systems, including actuators, regulators, valves and positioners.
• Investigate recurring equipment failures and conduct root-cause analysis.
• Support production during breakdowns and minimise downtime.
• Read and interpret P&IDs, electrical drawings and instrumentation diagrams.
• Ensure instrumentation complies with food safety, quality, safety and environmental requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects to improve OEE, reliability, quality and production efficiency.

Skills

Instrumentation and process control

PLC fault-finding

Industrial networking

Calibration techniques

Pneumatics

Basic electrical fault-finding

Process measurement

Control valves and actuators

VSDs and motor control

HMI/SCADA systems

Root-cause analysis

Preventative maintenance

CMMS

Education

Instrumentation trade test

PLC and automation training

Calibration training

FMCG/manufacturing experience advantageous

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

To maintain, troubleshoot, calibrate, and improve instrumentation and control systems used in FMCG production equipment, ensuring high equipment availability, product quality, safety, and compliance with production standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance on instrumentation and control equipment.
• Troubleshoot electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and instrumentation faults on production machinery.
• Calibrate and maintain instruments such as: Pressure transmitters Temperature sensors/transmitters Flow meters Level transmitters Load cells Proximity sensors Photoelectric sensors Control valves Solenoid valves.
• Maintain and troubleshoot PLC, HMI and SCADA systems.
• Maintain pneumatic control systems, including actuators, regulators, valves, and positioners.
• Investigate recurring equipment failures and conduct 5-Why/root-cause analysis.
• Support production during breakdowns and minimise equipment downtime.
• Conduct planned maintenance according to the maintenance schedule.
• Assist with installation and commissioning of new equipment.
• Read and interpret P&IDs, electrical drawings, control circuit diagrams and instrumentation diagrams.
• Ensure instrumentation complies with food safety, quality, safety and environmental requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects to improve OEE, reliability, quality and production efficiency.
• Work closely with mechanical, electrical and production.
• Maintain critical spares and identify instrumentation components requiring replacement.
• Ensure all work is performed according to company LOTTOO and safety procedures.

Required Skills & Knowledge

• Instrumentation and process control
• PLC fault-finding
• Industrial networking
• Calibration techniques
• Pneumatics
• Basic electrical fault-finding
• Process measurement
• Control valves and actuators
• VSDs and motor control
• HMI/SCADA systems
• Root-cause analysis
• Preventative maintenance
• Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

Qualifications

• Instrumentation trade test
• PLC and automation training
• Calibration training is advantageous
• FMCG/manufacturing experience advantageous

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Equipment availability
• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
• Preventative maintenance compliance
• Calibration compliance
• Repeat failures
• OEE improvement
• Safety and quality compliance

In accordance with the employment equity plan of Tiger Brands and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited, to candidates from under-represented designated groups.