Mechanical Engineer

Chainlink Recruitment; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Chainlink Recruitment is seeking a highly capable Mechanical Engineer to optimize maintenance and enhance equipment reliability in Kempton Park, Gauteng. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in FMCG, with at least 10 years of maintenance experience, and proficiency in reliability engineering, asset management, and planned maintenance strategies.

You will play a crucial role in minimizing plant downtime and managing capital projects while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. A degree in Mechanical Engineering and significant leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in maintenance and projects within an FMCG manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a maintenance management role.
• Solid understanding of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Implement asset care strategies to improve equipment reliability.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate activities related to maintenance.
• Deliver capital and maintenance projects on time and within budget.

Skills

Reliability engineering

Planned and predictive maintenance

Asset management systems

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Projects, Visio)

AutoCAD

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking the services of a highly capable Mechanical Engineer. The successful incumbent will be responsible for minimising plant downtime, maximising equipment reliability, and extending the operating life of plant equipment and machinery through the implementation of asset care strategies, preventive maintenance, and planned corrective maintenance. This role plays a critical part in maintenance optimisation, equipment reliability, project management, cost control, and continuous improvement initiatives to support safe and efficient production.

The Position

Reporting to the Engineering and Maintenance Manager, the Mechanical Engineer will:

• Implement agreed asset care strategies to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
• Act as a key liaison between Maintenance, Production, and supporting departments.
• Support the administration, improvement, and maintenance of the CMMS (DMS).
• Ensure optimal mechanical support to production while minimising lifecycle costs.

Asset Care & Reliability

• Develop and implement asset care strategies to improve equipment reliability.
• Analyse equipment failures and conduct root cause failure analysis investigations.
• Monitor key maintenance performance indicators and implement improvement plans.
• Ensure critical spare parts are identified, managed, and optimised.

Maintenance & Engineering Management

• Plan, direct, and coordinate activities related to construction, modification, performance, and maintenance of equipment and machinery.
• Review and optimise engineering and maintenance procedures and standards.
• Ensure plant equipment operates effectively through planned, preventive, and predictive maintenance systems.
• Provide technical guidance and support to production and maintenance teams.

Project Management

• Deliver capital and maintenance projects on time and within budget.
• Prepare detailed specifications for equipment repairs or replacements based on lifecycle philosophy.
• Ensure contractors meet requirements as per the “Contractors Rules Agreement”.

Compliance & Safety

• As the appointed GMR 2.7, ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and legal requirements.
• Ensure statutory inspections are completed and documentation is updated and filed.
• Promote a strong safety culture within engineering and maintenance teams.

Cost Control & Budgeting

• Manage and forecast maintenance expenditure relative to budget.
• Develop and motivate annual maintenance and Capex budgets.
• Ensure correct spares are kept in stock to improve plant availability while reducing working capital.
• Review stock items annually and ensure redundant spares are scrapped without delay.

People Leadership

• Coach, develop, and performance manage engineering and maintenance resources.
• Ensure employee development and performance gaps are identified and addressed.
• Delegate effectively and empower subordinates with responsibility and accountability.

Reporting

• Submit monthly reports covering asset care performance, KPI analysis, corrective actions, and medium- to long-term improvement plans.
• Provide financial performance updates and forecasts to year-end.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications / Skills / Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from a recognised university.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in maintenance and projects within an FMCG manufacturing environment.
• GCC Factories (advantageous).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a maintenance management role.
• Strong knowledge of reliability engineering, planned and predictive maintenance, and asset management systems.
• Experience in tissue, paper, pulp, FMCG, or continuous-process environments.
• Solid understanding of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation fundamentals.
• Ability to read and develop mechanical, electrical, and PID drawings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Projects, Visio) and AutoCAD.
• Knowledge of OHS Act, BCEA, and other legal requirements.

Internal & External Relationships

Internal: Engineering Manager, Factory and Operations Managers, Plant Engineers, Maintenance Foremen, Mechanical/Electrical/Instrumentation Technicians and Artisans, Stores Personnel, Maintenance Planner, Safety & Risk, Admin, Finance, HR, Buying, Training.

External: Approved technical suppliers, contractors, and consultants.

Personal Attributes

• Self-starter, energetic, and highly motivated with strong analytical ability.
• Highly computer literate (ERP/MRO/CMMS/MS Office).
• Excellent communication and leadership qualities.
• Strong ability to identify and deploy plant maintenance improvement solutions.
• High integrity and ability to make decisions under pressure.
• Willingness to work outside normal hours and perform standby duties.
• Strong organisational skills and neat work habits.
• Ability to delegate effectively and empower subordinates.