Maintenance Technician (Millwright)

University of Fort Hare; Somerset West; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Fort Hare seeks a Trade-tested Millwright to join our FMCG/food processing maintenance team. The role focuses on maintaining production lines, packaging, and plant utilities with strong fault-finding across mechanical and electrical systems.

You will work with automated production equipment, interpret wiring diagrams and read schematics, and contribute to continuous improvement while covering rotational shifts and weekends. Excellent communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Trade-tested Millwright
• 3–5 years maintenance experience in FMCG/food processing/packaging environment
• Experience with automated production equipment
• Strong fault-finding across mechanical and electrical systems
• Experience with 3-phase motors, VSDs, pneumatics and sensors
• Ability to read wiring diagrams and schematics
• Willingness to work rotational shifts and weekends
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair and optimise production, packaging, refrigeration and plant utilities equipment for reliability and availability.
• Execute preventative maintenance schedules, respond to breakdowns and perform fault-finding to minimise downtime.
• Support uninterrupted production through safe, efficient maintenance aligned with food manufacturing, quality and safety standards.
• Identify improvement opportunities and assist with asset management to boost efficiency.

Skills

Fault finding

Electrical & mechanical systems

Communication skills

Wiring diagrams interpretation

Education

Trade-tested Millwright

Tools

3-phase motors

Variable speed drives

Pneumatic systems

Industrial sensors

Job description

Firgrove - My client, a well-established company within the FMCG and fruit industry has a career opportunity for a Maintenance Technician (Millwright) to join their team.

The ideal candidate will be a trade-tested Millwright and have 3 – 5 years maintenance experience in preferably a FMCG / food processing / packaging environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair and optimise production, packaging, refrigeration and plant utility equipment to ensure maximum reliability, performance and availability.
• Execute preventative maintenance schedules, respond promptly to breakdowns and perform structured fault-finding to minimise downtime.
• Support uninterrupted production through safe, efficient and compliant maintenance practices aligned with food manufacturing, quality and safety standards.
• Identify improvement opportunities, contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and assist with effective asset management to enhance overall operational efficiency.

Minimum Requirements

• Trade-tested Millwright
• 3–5 years maintenance experience in preferably a FMCG / food processing / packaging environment
• Experience working with automated production equipment
• Strong fault-finding ability across mechanical and electrical systems
• Experience working with: 3-phase motors, Variable speed drives, Pneumatic systems, Industrial sensors
• Ability to interpret wiring diagrams and machine schematics
• Must be able to work rotational shifts and weekends
• Self starter
• Analytical and problem solver
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Key Accountabilities

• Production Equipment Reliability
• Preventative Maintenance Execution
• Utilities and Infrastructure Support
• Maintenance Systems and Stores Control
• Health, Safety and Food Compliance

Indicators of Effectiveness

• Overall equipment effectiveness
• Attend to all breakdowns as well as minor maintenance in the targeted turnaround period
• Maintenance costs versus budget
• Maintenance schedule attainment