Maintenance Manager

Rcl Foods; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food processing company in Pretoria is seeking a Maintenance Manager with strong leadership skills. The ideal candidate will have 5–7 years of experience in maintenance management, particularly in FMCG environments. Responsibilities include overseeing preventative maintenance, managing budgets, and leading a multi-disciplinary team. This role demands expertise in reliability engineering and a solid understanding of electrical and mechanical systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in FMCG preferred, especially in food processing.
• GCC Factories certification due to dust explosion risk is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead capex planning to improve machine efficiency.
• Implement and oversee preventative maintenance schedules.
• Manage a multi-disciplinary maintenance team.

Skills

Leadership

Reliability engineering

Communication

Understanding of electrical systems

Understanding of mechanical systems

Automation systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Job Description

The key focus for this hire is on technical competency and strong leadership.

The individual must be systems driven with a history of implementing practical systems to improve people and budget management.

The individual must have clear written and verbal communication and must be execution biased and driven by tangible results.

The individual must have a strong reliability engineering background i.e., an ability to conduct reliability engineering with a focus on engineering system understanding and a drive for standardization.

The GOAL is reliability of people, maintenance practices, processes and an ability to openly challenge established norms i.e., see and do things, differently.

Duties & Responsibilities

Technical Skills

• Advantageous, GCC Factories certification due to dust explosion risk and high-power infrastructure (site operates on 8–10 megawatts of power).
• Strong understanding of electrical, mechanical, and automation systems.
• Experience with Siemens systems and the ability to interpret any PLC logic will be highly advantageous.
• Wholistic knowledge of Electrical, Mechanical, Instrumentation, Process, Reliability engineering and the ability to apply knowledge to create IMPACT.

System Exposure

• Advantageous experience with Pragma CMMS, considered the most complex in its class.
• Exposure to similar platforms like Syspro or Microsoft-based Maintenance Management Systems will be considered.

Project & Preventative Maintenance

• Lead capex planning to improve machine efficiency and reduce downtime.
• Implement and oversee preventative maintenance schedules and major repairs.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, statutory, and ISO standards.

Operational & Team Leadership

• Manage a multi-disciplinary maintenance team and external contractors.
• Drive weekly planning, inspections, and performance reviews.
• Act as GMR 2.1 and Fire Marshal in the absence of the Engineering Manager.

Risk, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all equipment and activities meet health, safety, and legal standards.
• Champion SHEQ compliance and continuous improvement.
• Investigate incidents and implement preventative measures.

Strategic Engineering Management

• Lead engineering strategy to optimise asset utilisation and reduce cost per unit.
• Maintain audit readiness and drive sustainable practices.
• Manage repairs, renovations, and contractor performance.

Financial & Asset Management

• Control engineering budgets and authorise expenses.
• Collaborate on CAPEX proposals and supplier management.
• Monitor spares inventory and drive cost-saving initiatives.

People Development & Culture

• Mentor artisans and drive succession planning.
• Promote Employment Equity and team engagement.
• Conduct training, appraisals, and foster a high-performance culture.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (BSc, BEng, BTech) in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 5–7 years in a leadership role.
• Reliability Experience.
• FMCG experience preferred, specifically in food processing and milling environments.
• Preferred managing high-speed automated packaging lines.
• Proven ability to lead, develop and mentor teams — 4 direct Foremen will report to the Maintenance Manager.
• Ability to conduct disciplinary procedures.
• Advantageous, GCC Factories certification due to dust explosion risk and high-power infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of electrical, mechanical, and automation systems.