Maintenance | Facilities Manager
Zeebra Junction Specialist Recruitment
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Zeebra Junction Specialist Recruitment is seeking an experienced Maintenance Manager for a luxury safari lodge in the Waterberg Biosphere, Limpopo. You will own engineering, maintenance and operational reliability across accommodation, pools, fleets and support facilities.
The role is live-in, senior and hands-on, requiring a technically qualified leader who can manage preventative maintenance, safety compliance, budgets and a 24/7 on-call rota to protect guest experience.
Qualifications
- Trade qualification / Artisan status is essential.
- Minimum 5 years senior maintenance/technical management experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead daily maintenance across the entire property.
- Maintain and supervise safety, preventative maintenance and utilities.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
My client is an exclusive, high-end safari lodge operation situated within the Waterberg Biosphere in Limpopo. The property combines luxury accommodation, extensive guest facilities and remote bush infrastructure, requiring a Maintenance Manager who is equally comfortable with sophisticated technical systems, hands-on maintenance and the realities of remote lodge operations.
This is a live-in, senior operational position suited to a technically qualified, highly practical and solutions-driven Maintenance Manager who takes genuine pride in ensuring that everything works flawlessly — often without the guest ever knowing that maintenance has taken place.
The successful candidate will assume overall responsibility for the maintenance, preventative maintenance, safety and operational reliability of a substantial luxury lodge environment encompassing multiple accommodation facilities, luxury canvas suites, cabins, private villas, pools and hot tubs, conference and dining facilities, staff accommodation, workshops, stables, grounds and extensive reserve infrastructure.
You will be responsible for ensuring that the property's critical infrastructure operates reliably and safely, including:
Solar PV, battery storage and inverter systems
Backup diesel generators
Boreholes, filtration and water purification systems
Pressure pumps and hot-water systems
Black/grey water and septic systems
HVAC and electrical infrastructure
Swimming and plunge pools and wood-fired hot tubs
Luxury canvas accommodation and timber structures
4x4 safari vehicles and utility fleet
Tractors, trailers and other machinery
Game fencing, roads, drainage and bridges
Fire safety infrastructure and equipment
Lead and execute daily maintenance across the entire property.
Conduct proactive inspections and identify potential failures before they affect guests.
Maintain timber decks, balustrades, walkways, canvas structures and associated infrastructure.
Ensure pools, hot tubs, pumps, heaters and water systems remain fully operational.
Maintain electrical, plumbing, mechanical and HVAC systems.
Manage off-grid/hybrid power infrastructure including solar, batteries, inverters and generators.
Oversee borehole extraction, filtration, purification and water-pressure systems.
Ensure reliable hot-water delivery through gas and solar systems.
Maintain wastewater, septic and environmentally responsible treatment systems.
Manage preventative servicing and emergency repairs across the safari and utility fleet.
Ensure game-drive vehicles are safe, reliable and operational every day.
Maintain tractors, trailers and other heavy machinery and equipment.
Oversee game and perimeter fencing, including electrified fencing.
Maintain roads, drainage, bridges and erosion-control infrastructure.
Implement and maintain fire-safety systems, firebreaks, firefighting equipment and fuel-storage compliance.
Develop, implement and manage a comprehensive Preventative Maintenance Schedule.
Ensure compliance with South African OHS legislation, environmental requirements and internal safety standards.
Conduct daily morning inspections and ensure defects are resolved before they become guest-facing problems.
Lead, motivate, schedule and develop a maintenance team comprising technical and grounds personnel.
Manage external specialist contractors and service providers.
Control maintenance budgets, purchasing, inventory and critical spare-parts stock.
Ensure appropriate technical resources are available despite the remote operating environment.
Maintenance in a luxury safari environment must be professional, discreet and virtually invisible.
The successful candidate will respond to guest-related maintenance requirements with urgency, courtesy and discretion while ensuring that repairs do not compromise the tranquillity or luxury experience of the property.
The position also participates in a 24/7 emergency call rotation for critical operational or guest requirements.
Trade qualification / Artisan status — Qualified Electrician, Plumber, Millwright, Mechanical or Civil Technician preferred.
Valid Code 8 / EB Driver's Licence.
PDP advantageous.
Valid First Aid certification.
Sound knowledge of OHS compliance.
Minimum 5 years' senior maintenance / technical management experience.
Luxury 4/5-star lodge, resort, hospitality or remote bush experience strongly preferred.
Proven practical experience with:
Solar and inverter systems
Backup diesel generators
Boreholes and water filtration
Water purification systems
Timber structures and decking
Luxury tented accommodation
Pool chemistry and pumping systems
4x4 safari vehicles or similar fleet
Mechanical and general property maintenance
You will be a hands-on technical leader, not simply an administrator.
We are looking for someone who:
Is exceptionally practical and resourceful.
Can diagnose and resolve problems in a remote bush environment.
Has a genuine passion for preventative rather than reactive maintenance.
Possesses an exceptional eye for detail.
Understands that a luxury lodge cannot compromise on aesthetics, safety or reliability.
Is an effective leader and mentor who enjoys developing local team members.
Communicates confidently and professionally.
Is comfortable dealing with contractors and specialist service providers.
Understands the importance of discretion around high-profile guests.
Is prepared to be hands-on when circumstances demand it.
Has strong English communication skills; Afrikaans is advantageous.
Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience
On-site single or couple's accommodation
Meals on duty
Laundry
3 weeks on / 1 week off bush rotation, subject to contract terms
This is an opportunity for a technically strong Maintenance Manager to become an integral part of an exceptional luxury safari operation where engineering excellence directly supports the guest experience.
If you are the type of technical professional who notices the small things before they become big things, enjoys solving complex problems with limited resources, and takes personal pride in keeping a luxury property operating at an exacting standard, this could be an excellent career opportunity.
Reference: Maintenance Manager – Luxury Safari Lodge
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