Machine Technician

HR Talent Partner SA; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned Cosmetics Company in Bellville, Cape Town is seeking a Machine Technician to ensure the smooth operation and reliability of machinery. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in maintenance and repair within a manufacturing setting. Responsibilities include preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and compliance with safety standards. This full-time role offers excellent compensation and opportunities for internal career advancement.

Benefits

Excellent compensation package

Internal career advancement opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of practical maintenance and repair experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in troubleshooting and implementing maintenance procedures.
• Hands-on experience working with pneumatics and PLCs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly inspections of machinery and ensure optimal running conditions.
• Develop and execute preventative maintenance plans aligned with Total Productive Maintenance principles.
• Diagnose root causes of machine malfunctions using mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic knowledge.
• Assist in the installation and commissioning of new machinery.

Skills

Mechanical troubleshooting

Pneumatic troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

Preventative maintenance planning

Root Cause Analysis

FMEA application

PLC programming

Education

Technical qualification or Trade Test

Relevant certification in mechanical, electrical or mechatronic maintenance

Job description

Machine Technician required in Bellville, Cape Town.

A renowned Cosmetics Company is looking for an “Machine Technician” to join their team on a full-time permanent basis for their offices in Bellville, Cape Town.

Excellent compensation package plus internal career advancement opportunities.

Main purpose of the role:

To ensure the smooth operation, reliability, and efficiency of machinery and equipment within the company through effective maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance activities that reduce downtime and support optimal production performance.

Qualifications:

• Technical qualification or Trade Test (Artisan preferred)
• Relevant certification in mechanical, electrical, or mechatronic maintenance advantageous

Experience and Knowledge:

• Minimum 5 years of practical maintenance and repair experience in a manufacturing environment
• Proven experience in troubleshooting and implementing maintenance procedures
• Hands‑on experience working with pneumatics and PLCs
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, components, and pneumatic equipment
• Electrical knowledge and familiarity with PLCs and automation systems
• Knowledge of preventative maintenance methodologies (e.g., TPM – Total Productive Maintenance)
• Root Cause Analysis and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA)

Overall KRAs:

• Deliver production plans on time, in full, and at the right quality.
• Manage inbound logistics and storage of raw and packaging materials efficiently.
• Maintain cost‑efficient production processes with high yield and low waste.
• Ensure full compliance with ISO 45001 and health & safety requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing capacity and efficiency.
• Develop and lead manufacturing staff to achieve excellence.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Equipment Maintenance:

• Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly inspections of machinery and ensure optimal running conditions
• Perform lubrication, adjustments, and part replacements as per maintenance schedules
• Ensure all maintenance work is carried out in line with manufacturer specifications and safety standards
• Coordinate with production teams to plan maintenance during non‑peak times to minimize disruption
• Reduction in unplanned downtime (%)
• Equipment uptime percentage (target ≥ 95%)
• Maintenance work orders completed on time
• Compliance with safety and operational standards

Preventative Maintenance:

• Develop and execute preventative maintenance plans aligned with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) principles
• Identify potential failures and address them proactively to prevent breakdowns
• Ensure maintenance logs are updated after each service or inspection
• Collaborate with team members to schedule and track maintenance tasks effectively
• Preventative maintenance schedule adherence (%)
• Reduction in repeat equipment failures
• Preventative maintenance documentation accuracy

Troubleshooting & Repair:

• Diagnose root causes of machine malfunctions using mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic knowledge
• Execute efficient repairs with minimal disruption to production
• Document causes of breakdowns and corrective actions taken
• Apply Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) to prevent recurrence
• Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) reduction
• First‑time fix rate (%)
• Average downtime per incident

Equipment Installation & Commissioning:

• Assist in the installation and commissioning of new machinery and ensure systems meet operational standards
• Conduct regular inspections to identify and rectify potential safety hazards
• Collaborate with suppliers and engineers to ensure compliance with technical specifications
• Installation projects completed on time
• Successful commissioning without rework or faults
• Compliance with installation and safety protocols

Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure all machines meet safety, environmental, and compliance standards
• Perform test runs, calibrations, and quality assurance checks before handover
• Promote safe working practices among operators and technicians
• Ensure all maintenance activities are logged according to safety procedures
• 100% Safety compliance in audits
• Zero equipment‑related safety incidents
• Completion of safety checks and reports per schedule
• Operator adherence to equipment SOPs

Training & Technical Support:

• Provide on‑the‑job training and technical guidance to machine operators
• Build operator capability in basic troubleshooting and routine checks
• Support cross‑functional teams in understanding machine functions and limitations
• Ensure all maintenance activities are logged according to safety procedures
• Improvement in operator competency and independence
• Reduction in operator‑related machine errors
• Completion of safety checks and reports per schedule

Record Keeping & Reporting:

• Maintain detailed and accurate maintenance logs for each machine
• Track maintenance costs and report on resource utilization
• Prepare monthly equipment performance and downtime reports
• Communicate recurring issues and improvement opportunities to management
• Accuracy and completeness of maintenance records
• Timeliness of maintenance reporting
• Trend analysis reports submitted as per schedule
• Management satisfaction with maintenance data accuracy

Behaviour and Core Competencies

• Mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical troubleshooting
• Preventative and corrective maintenance planning
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and FMEA application
• PLC programming and automation familiarity
• Technical reporting and documentation
• Safety and compliance awareness

Essential:

• Adopting Practical Approaches – Applies practical skills effectively, learns by doing, and is dependable and responsible in fulfilling obligations and commitments
• Following Procedures – Adheres closely to rules and procedures, minimises risks by following established processes, and ensures compliance with regulations
• Taking Action – Proactively takes action to make things happen, uses initiative to start new projects, and invests personal energy and drive to achieve results
• Resilience – Strives to achieve outstanding results with ambition and determination, persisting through difficulties to accomplish tasks and goals without giving up
• Detail‑Oriented – Exhibits meticulousness in finding and correcting errors, ensuring accuracy by being thorough and methodical, and producing high‑quality work with a focus on perfection and organisation
• Managing Tasks – Manages multiple tasks efficiently, plans activities systematically, and prioritises tasks to handle several activities concurrently
• Upholding Standards – Behaves ethically and justly, maintains confidentiality, meets commitments with integrity, and leads by example to uphold high standards
• Providing Insights – Continuously seeks improvement, identifies key issues, uses logic to analyse information, and solves complex problems with careful consideration

Important:

• Teamwork – Works cooperatively with others, encourages team contributions, and involves team members in decision‑making to foster a collaborative environment
• Planning – Manages tasks methodically, plans activities systematically, and sets priorities to ensure efficient use of time
• Giving and Receiving Feedback – Is open to give and receive feedback, invites critique, and uses feedback to improve performance while encouraging a culture of constructive feedback
• Delegation – Motivates and inspires individuals by empowering them, providing encouragement, and fostering a supportive environment for others to excel
• Showing Composure / Stress Tolerance / Energy – Maintains composure under stress, tolerates high levels of pressure, and reacts calmly and effectively in demanding situations, sustaining energy
  and positivity
• Change Leadership – Copes well with change, tolerates uncertainty, and adapts to new challenges and emerging situations with flexibility

Applying for this position:

• Only open to South African citizens.
• If you are interested in this great career opportunity, please send your CV with position title as reference.