Maintenance Manager

Wild Dreams Hospitality; Limpopo; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Wild Dreams Hospitality seeks an experienced hands-on Maintenance Manager to oversee off-grid power, water, vehicles and general upkeep across remote safari properties. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team, manage external contractors, and drive preventative maintenance in challenging bushveld conditions.

The role requires strong electrical/plumbing, HVAC, solar/inverter knowledge and a proven ability to improvise safe temporary fixes while coordinating long-term repairs.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' hands-on maintenance management experience, ideally in remote safari lodge, bush camp or off-grid environment.
• Proven practical expertise in electrical systems, plumbing, water pumps, diesel generators, refrigeration/air-con and general building/carpentry.
• Demonstrated experience leading, motivating and upskilling a multi-disciplinary maintenance team.
• Valid unendorsed Code B (or EB) driver's licence, with solid 4x4 bush driving and long-distance highway experience.
• Working knowledge of lodge-scale solar and battery inverter systems (highly advantageous).
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), digital snag lists, stock sheets and email reporting.
• Trade certifications or technical qualifications (advantageous).
• South African citizen or valid South African work permit.
• Resourceful and deadline-driven; able to improvise safe temporary fixes before completing permanent repairs.
• Resilient and bush-smart; calm under pressure and comfortable living in an isolated Big Five wilderness area.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and carry out daily maintenance across guest suites, public areas, kitchens, staff villages and back-of-house facilities.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, plumbing, mechanical, refrigeration and structural issues.
• Manage and maintain off-grid power systems, including solar arrays, inverter/battery banks and backup generators.
• Maintain borehole and river water supply, filtration plants, pumps, storage tanks and sewage and wastewater systems.
• Oversee servicing of air-conditioning, cold rooms, kitchen and laundry equipment, game-viewing vehicles and machinery.
• Develop and run a preventative maintenance programme suited to harsh bushveld conditions, aligned with occupancy and seasonal closures.
• Maintain a prioritised snag list, routine infrastructure audits and accurate service histories.
• Coordinate and supervise external contractors, planning their logistics well in advance.
• Manage the workshop and critical-spares inventory, source quotations and adhere to budgets.
• Monitor fuel, LP gas and other essential reserves to prevent shortages.
• Conduct regular long-distance town trips to collect spares, materials and supplies.
• Lead, mentor and work alongside the maintenance team, providing hands-on technical coaching.
• Enforce OHS standards and ensure fire equipment, emergency lighting, electrical boards and water quality systems are tested and compliant.
• Work in line with strict environmental guidelines in this ecologically sensitive area.
• Support refurbishments and capital projects, and submit weekly maintenance, project and expenditure reports.

Skills

Maintenance management

Electrical systems

Plumbing

Diesel generators

Refrigeration/AC

Carpentry

Team leadership

Problem solving

4x4 driving

MS Office

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

Digital snag lists

Stock sheets

Email reporting

Job description

This is a hands-on, self-reliant role overseeing off-grid power, water, vehicles and general upkeep across both properties, where suppliers are hours away and quick, creative problem-solving is part of the job.

Core Criteria:

• Minimum 5 years' hands-on maintenance management experience, ideally in a remote safari lodge, bush camp or off-grid environment
• Proven practical expertise in electrical systems, plumbing, water pumps, diesel generators, refrigeration/air-con and general building/carpentry
• Demonstrated experience leading, motivating and upskilling a multi-disciplinary maintenance team
• Valid unendorsed Code B (or EB) driver's licence, with solid 4x4 bush driving and long-distance highway experience
• Working knowledge of lodge-scale solar and battery inverter systems (highly advantageous)
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), digital snag lists, stock sheets and email reporting
• Trade certifications or technical qualifications (advantageous)
• South African citizen or valid South African work permit
• Resourceful and deadline-driven; able to improvise safe temporary fixes before completing permanent repairs
• Resilient and bush-smart; calm under pressure and comfortable living in an isolated Big Five wilderness area

Core Responsibilities:

• Oversee and carry out daily maintenance across guest suites, public areas, kitchens, staff villages and back-of-house facilities
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, plumbing, mechanical, refrigeration and structural issues
• Manage and maintain off-grid power systems, including solar arrays, inverter/battery banks and backup generators
• Maintain borehole and river water supply, filtration plants, pumps, storage tanks and sewage and wastewater systems
• Oversee servicing of air-conditioning, cold rooms, kitchen and laundry equipment, game-viewing vehicles and machinery
• Develop and run a preventative maintenance programme suited to harsh bushveld conditions, aligned with occupancy and seasonal closures
• Maintain a prioritised snag list, routine infrastructure audits and accurate service histories
• Coordinate and supervise external contractors, planning their logistics well in advance
• Manage the workshop and critical-spares inventory, source quotations and adhere to budgets
• Monitor fuel, LP gas and other essential reserves to prevent shortages
• Conduct regular long-distance town trips to collect spares, materials and supplies
• Lead, mentor and work alongside the maintenance team, providing hands-on technical coaching
• Enforce OHS standards and ensure fire equipment, emergency lighting, electrical boards and water quality systems are tested and compliant
• Work in line with strict environmental guidelines in this ecologically sensitive area
• Support refurbishments and capital projects, and submit weekly maintenance, project and expenditure reports