Machine Technician

Wenz; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Bellville seeks a skilled Machine Technician, responsible for the maintenance and optimization of equipment. The ideal candidate has a technical qualification and at least 5 years of experience in troubleshooting machinery. Core competencies include mechanical and electrical knowledge, with a focus on preventative maintenance. The position requires adherence to safety and compliance standards, ensuring optimal production performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of practical maintenance and repair experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems and components.
• Experience with preventative maintenance methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly inspections of machinery.
• Develop and execute preventative maintenance plans.
• Diagnose root causes of machine malfunctions.

Skills

Mechanical troubleshooting

Pneumatic systems knowledge

Electrical troubleshooting

Preventative maintenance

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

FMEA application

PLC programming

Education

Technical Qualification or Trade Test

Job description

Overview

JOB PROFILE - (Machine Technician)

The Manufacturing Department is responsible for converting raw and packaging materials into finished goods exclusively for our company. The department oversees inbound logistics, receiving and storage, production planning and execution, and compliance with health and safety requirements. Its primary goal is to ensure efficient, safe, and cost-effective production of high-quality products that are delivered on time to fulfilment operations.

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.

Position Overview

• Job Title and Level Machine Technician
• Department Manufacturing
• Functional Area / Team Production
• Direct Reports 4 Machine Operators
• Skill / Grading Level Technical / Skilled Artisan Level
• Mobility / Travel On-site role with limited travel
• After Hours Support / Standby Required for urgent breakdowns or maintenance

Qualifications Technical Qualification Or Trade Test (Artisan Preferred). Relevant certification in mechanical, electrical, or mechatronic maintenance advantageous.

Experience 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.

Knowledge 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).

Organisational Structure / Reporting Line(s)

• Support Line Production Department
• Direct Line Operation Manager: Operations
• Indirect GM Manufacturing

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

Job Requirements - Functional Duties and Responsibilities

• Key Responsibility Areas
  • 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.
• 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.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and FMEA
  • Apply RCA and 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

• Job Specific Skills
  • 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
• Core Competencies & Behaviours
  • Essential
    • Adopting Practical Approaches
    • Following Procedures
    • Taking Action
    • Resilience
    • Detail-Oriented
    • Managing Tasks
    • Upholding Standards
    • Providing Insights
  • Important
    • Teamwork
    • Planning
    • Giving and Receiving Feedback
    • Delegation
    • Showing Composure / Stress Tolerance / Energy
    • Change Leadership