Maintenance Specialist (Plant) - Automotive - Durban (Ref : Em33129) Market Related

Agc Recruitment; Durban; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 550 000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency in the automotive sector is seeking a Maintenance Specialist (Plant) for their client in Durban. This permanent full-time position requires the candidate to oversee equipment maintenance, supervise a team, and manage project activities. Ideal candidates will have a trade qualification and at least 5 years of relevant experience. Competitive salary and benefits are offered, with a requirement to work excess hours when needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar role in the automotive industry.
• Must have supervisory experience.
• Must be willing to work excess hours when required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure smooth operation and maintenance of all plant equipment.
• Supervise the work unit to achieve work unit objectives.
• Analyse Planned and Breakdown Maintenance Reports.
• Diagnose plant equipment issues and propose improvements.
• Compile and supervise the Preventive Maintenance Programme.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Troubleshooting

Project management

Electrical knowledge

PLC programming

Education

Trade tested Millwright / Fitter / Electrician

School leaving Certificate

Job description

Introduction

Our client in the automotive industry is currently seeking a Maintenance Specialist (Plant) to join their team in Durban.

This is a full‑time, permanent position with competitive salary and benefits.

As a Maintenance Specialist, you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation and maintenance of all plant equipment. This includes conducting regular inspections, identifying and troubleshooting any issues, and performing repairs and maintenance as needed. You will also coordinate with other departments to schedule maintenance and ensure minimal disruption to production.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Supervise the work unit to achieve work unit objectives.
• Determine resources (labour and materials) required and allocate overtime work.
• Analyse and interpret Planned Maintenance Reports (Hours per department, hours per Artisan, etc.).
• Analyse and interpret Breakdown Reports (Manufacturing downtime, top‑10, etc.).
• Diagnose plant and equipment problems (fault finding) and identify opportunities to modify, upgrade, improve or replace equipment and spares.
• Maintain register of all electrical hardware on site and backups of all installed software.
• Compile and supervise the Preventive Maintenance Programme according to the maintenance requirements for machines and equipment.
• Maintain and update the Preventive Maintenance tasks lists.
• Maintain and update Critical Spares and Spares Lists.
• Receive Maintenance Schedules, interpret instructions and plan maintenance and repair work (Scheduled).
• Approve Stores Requisition for spares and consumables.
• Supervises the carrying out of breakdown repairs (Breakdown).
• Escalate the problem to the next level if it cannot be resolved successfully.
• Inform / advise Management of any breakdowns of a serious nature or where any potential equipment failure is imminent.
• Contribute to project initiation, scope definition and scope change control (Project Initiation).
• Participate in the estimation and preparation of cost budget for a project or sub‑project and monitor and control actual cost against budget.
• Schedule project activities to facilitate effective project execution (Project Planning).
• Monitor, evaluate and communicate project schedules.
• Manage implementation of Engineering Projects (Project Management).
• Contribute to the management of project risk within own field of expertise.
• Supervise a project team of a technical project to deliver project objectives.
• Provide assistance in implementing and assuring project work meets quality requirements.
• Implement project administration processes according to requirements (Project Administration).
• Plan, organise and support project meetings and workshops.
• Fulfil procurement activities and supervise procurement administration.
• Provide procurement administration support to a project.
• Conduct project documentation management to support project processes.

Desired Experience & Qualification

• Must be in possession of a school leaving Certificate.
• Must be a trade tested Millwright / Fitter / Electrician.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar role preferable automotive industry.
• Must have supervisory experience.
• Must have PLC and project management experience.
• Must be willing to work excess hours when required.