Machinery Maintenance Supervisor

ALSTOM; Nigel; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading rail transport company in South Africa is seeking a Machinery Maintenance Supervisor to oversee maintenance operations and ensure optimal performance of machinery. The ideal candidate will have a National Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with 5–10 years of experience in maintenance engineering. Responsibilities include leading maintenance projects, managing contractors, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the transformation of South Africa's railway sector.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years’ experience in maintenance engineering, preferably in manufacturing or heavy engineering.
• Experience in developing maintenance procedures and root-cause analysis.
• Sound knowledge of EHS standards and the OHS Act.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise major maintenance projects and activities.
• Provide engineering expertise for troubleshooting and problem solving.
• Ensure compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety regulations.

Skills

Maintenance engineering

Supervisory skills

SAP

Communication

Team leadership

Education

National Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

PLC systems

Job description

Overview

Vacancy

Machinery Maintenance Supervisor (Internal and External). Appointments will be made in line with the company's employment equity plan. People with Disability are encouraged to apply. Gibela’s journey is intrinsically tied to a vision of socio-economic transformation, one that recognises the central role of passenger rail in propelling the South African economy forward. As we embark on this mission, we stand at the crossroads of opportunities and progress, where the revitalisation of commuter rail serves as a cornerstone for building a brighter future. Gibela stands as Africa’s largest train manufacturing and passenger trains maintenance company, holding steadfast to its commitment to spearheading the revival of the South African railway sector. With a transformative vision, Gibela endeavoured to catalyse the shift towards commuter rail as the preferred mode of transport for urban communities.

We invite suitably qualified candidates to apply for the Machinery Maintenance Supervisor position under Maintenance Department. The position will report to the Site Maintenance Engineering Manager and is based in Dunnottar.

Job Purpose

• The role is responsible for leading a team of maintenance personnel and managing external contractors to ensure the safe, reliable, and optimal performance of industrial machinery.
• This includes coordinating all maintenance-related activities and implementing effective corrective and preventive maintenance strategies across all systems and equipment.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance Management

• Lead, coordinate, and supervise major maintenance projects, including installing new equipment and upgrading existing systems.
• Develop, maintain, and implement contingency plans for critical machinery to ensure uninterrupted production.
• Plan and execute shutdown maintenance activities.
• Ensure the availability of required resources (personnel, equipment, and tools) and proactively address unforeseen delays.
• Provide engineering expertise for troubleshooting, problem solving, and mitigating work stoppages or production disruptions.
• Oversee daily activities of the maintenance team, ensuring efficiency and strict compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations.
• Manage and optimize resource allocation and utilization.
• Evaluate and approve the procurement of equipment, spare parts, and maintenance supplies.
• Identify and drive process improvements to enhance maintenance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives and adopt advanced technologies to optimize equipment performance.
• Proactively identify risks and ensure adherence to engineering control measures.
• Ensure full compliance with all safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Manage and resolve escalated maintenance issues promptly.
• Drive the closure of outstanding audit findings from the Alstom Zero Deviation Plan (AZDP) and ISO 14001 audits.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, including inspections, repairs, and component replacements.
• Consolidate and present maintenance performance reports, compliance updates, equipment status, and KPIs to management.
• Provide input into key operational meetings (Operations, EHS, Inventory) to ensure alignment with MPS and maintenance strategies.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with internal teams, OEMs, and external maintenance service providers for successful project execution.
• Maintain effective relationships with local authorities and ensure compliance with regulatory bylaws.
• Oversee contractor performance, ensure SLA adherence, and proactively address non-performance issues.

People Management

• Prioritize resources and ensure clear alignment of team objectives and KPAs.
• Drive behaviors aligned with company values by inspiring engagement, fostering support, and enabling development.
• Champion a high-performance culture aligned with the organization’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.
• Effectively manage direct reports to meet functional objectives, including performance management and disciplinary processes.
• Ensure all team members possess the required skills and competencies through coaching and mentorship.
• Implement people management practices that support employee engagement, empowerment, skills development, talent retention, and succession planning.
• Foster an environment that upholds integrity, ethics, and adherence to company standards.
• Serve as a change champion for functional transformation, culture, and diversity initiatives.
• Promote a strong learning culture within the team.
• Develop and implement functional and leadership development strategies in partnership with the Maintenance Manager.

Minimum Requirements

• National Diploma or Batchelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 5–10 years’ experience in maintenance engineering, preferably within the manufacturing, automotive, or heavy engineering sectors.
• Supervisory experience in maintenance operations, including developing maintenance procedures and leading root-cause analysis.
• SAP experience.
• Experience in PLC systems and predictive maintenance (advantageous).
• Sound knowledge of EHS standards and the OHS Act.

Special Requirements

• Strong communication skills across all organizational levels.
• High levels of integrity, ethics, and professionalism.
• Excellent time management and discipline.
• Strong focus on maintaining positive customer and supplier relationships.
• Flexibility to work outside normal operational boundaries to meet team goals.
• Strong business acumen with an emphasis on cost control and efficiency improvement.
• Strong conceptual and analytical thinking skills.

Closing Date

11 February 2026

Should you not hear from us in 30 days, consider your application as unsuccessful.

Gibela Rail Transport Consortium (Pty) Ltd offers equal employment opportunity and subscribes to the Affirmative Action policy.

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