Maintenance Foreman

Network Contracting; Middelburg; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Contracting invites an experienced Maintenance Foreman to join its heavy engineering operation in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. The successful candidate will supervise daily maintenance activities, lead artisans, and ensure high equipment reliability and plant efficiency.

This role requires a Red Seal artisan, 5+ years in heavy industry, strong fault-finding and planning skills, and the ability to manage safety, reporting, and budgeting processes in a busy manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Trade-tested artisan with Red Seal in mechanical or electrical engineering.
• 5+ years in heavy engineering, manufacturing, mining or industrial environments.
• Experience as Foreman/Supervisor or senior maintenance role.
• Strong preventive and breakdown maintenance experience.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and schematics.
• Experience managing and developing maintenance personnel.
• Valid driver's license advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily maintenance activities across the facility.
• Lead and manage a team of artisans and maintenance personnel.
• Plan and execute preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Attend to mechanical and electrical breakdowns and restore service quickly.
• Identify recurring equipment failures and perform root-cause analysis.
• Coordinate maintenance shutdowns and major projects.
• Monitor maintenance costs and assist budgeting and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with OHSA, safety policies and standards.

Skills

Technical leadership

Fault-finding

Maintenance planning

Team management

Decision making

Communication

Work under pressure

Safety orientation

Hands-on

Organizational skills

Education

Red Seal Artisan (Mechanical/Electrical)

Tools

CMMS

PLCs

VSDs

Industrial automation

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate daily maintenance activities across the facility.
• Lead and manage a team of Artisans and maintenance personnel.
• Plan and execute preventative and corrective maintenance activities.
• Attend to mechanical and electrical breakdowns and ensure equipment is returned to service efficiently.
• Identify recurring equipment failures and conduct root-cause analysis.
• Ensure maintenance schedules are completed according to required standards.
• Monitor equipment condition and recommend repairs, upgrades or replacements.
• Coordinate maintenance shutdowns and major maintenance projects.
• Allocate work to Artisans and monitor the quality and completion of work.
• Provide technical guidance and support to the maintenance team.
• Ensure adequate availability of tools, spares and maintenance materials.
• Liaise with Production to prioritise maintenance requirements and minimise downtime.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, reports and job cards.
• Monitor maintenance costs and assist with maintenance budgeting.
• Ensure contractors and service providers comply with company requirements.
• Promote high standards of housekeeping and workplace safety.
• Ensure compliance with OHSA, company policies and relevant engineering standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve equipment reliability and plant efficiency.

Minimum Requirements

• Trade Tested Artisan – Red Seal in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 5+ years' experience in a heavy engineering, manufacturing, mining or industrial environment.
• Previous experience in a Foreman/Supervisor or senior maintenance position.
• Strong experience in preventative and breakdown maintenance.
• Proven mechanical and/or electrical fault-finding ability.
• Experience working with heavy industrial machinery and equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and schematics.
• Experience managing and developing maintenance personnel.
• Strong understanding of maintenance planning and execution.
• Computer literate with good reporting and administrative skills.
• Valid driver's licence will be advantageous.

Advantageous Experience

• Exposure to heavy metal processing, steel manufacturing, fabrication or foundry environments.
• Experience with cranes, furnaces, hydraulic systems, gearboxes, pumps and heavy-duty machinery.
• Knowledge of welding and fabrication equipment.
• Exposure to PLCs, VSDs and industrial automation.
• Experience with CMMS or computerised maintenance systems.
• GCC or relevant supervisory qualification will be advantageous.

Key Competencies

• Strong technical leadership
• Excellent fault-finding and problem-solving skills
• Maintenance planning and coordination
• Team management and supervision
• Decision-making ability
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Safety-conscious approach
• Proactive and hands-on
• Strong organisational skills

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Maintenance Foreman to join a technically demanding heavy engineering environment and play a key role in maintaining plant reliability, equipment availability and production efficiency.