Maintenance Foreman

Sovereign Foods Ltd; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Sovereign Foods Ltd in Rosslyn is seeking a Maintenance Foreman for its Agriculture division. You will lead a hands-on maintenance team, plan weekly plant and equipment upkeep, and drive uptime and throughput in a poultry production environment.

Requires a Mechanical/Electrical Artisan or Millwright qualification with 4–6 years post-qualification experience, plus at least 3 years in team leadership; standby after-hours support is expected.

Qualifications

• Hands-on approach to maintenance and problem solving.
• Leadership and people management skills are essential.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people in a production environment.
• Strong technical and electrical/mechanical knowledge.
• Ability to manage and motivate a large maintenance team.
• Excellent planning and organizing capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Schedule weekly plant and equipment maintenance.
• Maintain plant, equipment and facilities.
• Update maintenance schedules and report weekly on status.
• Record and follow up job cards and progress.
• Order spares and materials and track deliveries.
• Record causes of breakdowns and implement countermeasures.
• Ensure workshop equipment is maintained and safe to use.
• Identify minor in-house projects and refurbishment work.
• Comply with SHE and Quality standards.
• Assist with training and development of subordinates.

Skills

Hands-on

Leadership

Diversity collaboration

Technical background

Team motivation

Planning & organizing

Education

Millwright/M&E Artisan qualification

Job description

Rosslyn

Job Description

Sovereign Foods is a national supplier of quality chicken products to various markets and has operations in five provinces. The Agriculture division of Sovereign Foods is looking for an individual to assume the responsibilities of Maintenance Foreman. The successful incumbent will report directly to Maintenance Manager. The position is a hands on maintenance role and responsible for maintaining, planning and delegation of activities to maximise the availability and throughput of equipment and machinery for production. The ideal candidate must be in possession of a Mechanical/Electrical Artisan or preferably a Millwright, with strong electrical maintenance experience, and 4 to 6 years post qualification hands-on technical maintenance experience, preferably in a Feedmill environment. A minimum of 3 years’ experience in managing a maintenance team is essential.

Responsibilities

• Schedule weekly plant and equipment maintenance.
• Maintain plant, equipment and facilities.
• Update maintenance schedules and report weekly on completed, pending and outstanding maintenance.
• Record job cards received and allocated. Follow up and report on job cards received, in progress and outstanding.
• Order spares and materials and regularly follow up on order.
• Record and follow up causes for breakdowns and take steps to prevent re-occurrence.
• Ensure workshop equipment is maintained in good working order.
• Identify minor projects, repairs and refurbishment work that can be performed in-house.
• Comply to all SHE and Quality standards.
• Ensure that work arising from SHE/Quality audits is carried out immediately.
• Assist with training, coaching, and general development of subordinates.

Qualifications

• Hands on approach.
• Strong Leadership skills.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people.
• Sound technical background.
• Ability to manage and motivate a large team.
• Good planning and organizing skills.
• Standby cover and call outs for after hour breakdowns is required.

Closing Date: 19 August 2026

As Sovereign is an equal opportunity employer, preference will be given to applicants of designated groups, as defined by the Employment Equity Act.