Mechanical & Maintenance Foreman

Assign Services (Pty) Ltd - JHB; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Kempton Park is looking for a Mechanical & Maintenance Foreman to minimize downtime and enhance equipment reliability. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of supervisory experience in maintenance and be skilled in preventive maintenance. Responsibilities include managing the maintenance team, planning repairs, and maintaining high safety standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years maintenance supervisory experience in a heavy engineering environment.
• High level understanding of World Class Manufacturing tools and processes.
• Ability to troubleshoot in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Minimize plant downtime and improve equipment reliability.
• Plan and execute breakdown repairs promptly.
• Develop and execute weekly maintenance plans.

Skills

Analytical capabilities

Problem-solving drive

Excellent communication skills

Leadership qualities

Education

Matric or equivalent

Mechanical Trade Test passed

National Diploma or B.Tech

Tools

ERP systems

CMMS

MRO

MS Office

Job description

Overview

A Tissue manufacturing company in Kempton Park is looking for a Mechanical & Maintenance Foreman with a minimum of 5-10 years of heavy & maintenance experience, preferably in a continuous manufacturing process environment, with training and practical experience in preventive maintenance principles.

The incumbent is responsible for minimizing plant downtime, improving equipment reliability and extending the operating life of machinery through the effective and efficient execution of all mechanical maintenance activities at Picknik Factory (Converting site). The position reports to the Technical Manager and requires collaboration with Line Engineers, Production Managers / Supervisors, Maintenance Planner, and Artisans to maximize plant and equipment availability. Provide strong leadership to the mechanical and maintenance team and expertise in implementing world-class maintenance best practices.

Responsibilities

• Attend daily operations meetings and, with production personnel, secure the 24-hour operating window by addressing priority equipment repairs.
• Plan and execute all breakdown repairs without delay.
• Identify causes of equipment failures and repetitive repairs by completing RCFA pages 1 and 2 for all mechanical failures. Agree corrective actions with the plant engineers.
• Champion the implementation of proactive maintenance and the elimination of reactive maintenance by implementing preventive and predictive maintenance programmes.
• Develop, review, and agree on a weekly maintenance plan with the Maintenance Planner. Ensure the effective execution of the weekly maintenance plan.
• Plan, prepare and oversee the execution of monthly maintenance shuts. Ensure that there are no shut overruns.
• Reduce reaction times to breakdowns (MTTR) and increase mean time between failures (MTBF) through maintenance best practices, systems and procedures.
• Meet with suppliers, contractors and third-party inspectors when required.
• Perform general daily administrative tasks and weekly/monthly reports.
• Perform standby duties when required and assist with after-hours breakdowns.
• Perform any work assigned by the engineering leadership team from time to time.

Quality

• Ensure no maintenance rework by ensuring that work performed by internal artisans and external service providers is executed to the agreed standard.
• Regularly review and maintain the maintenance system (task lists and PM schedules).
• Develop work instructions through input from self and subordinates to standardize tasks and spares requirements following World Class Manufacturing best practices.

Cost

• Control maintenance costs effectively and prevent over expenditure where possible.
• Identify critical spare requirements and ensure availability of these spares at all times.
• Liaise with store personnel on spares holding / storage and stock requirements.
• Display maintenance team performance graphically (costs, effectiveness, and productivity).

Health, Safety and Environmental

• Participate in the on-site Safety Programme and conduct regular safety talks; ensure lifting equipment is inspected regularly.
• Ensure that all maintenance work is executed in a safe and efficient manner.
• Maintain high work and safety standards within the area of responsibility.
• Ensure plant housekeeping is of a high standard by implementing 5S principles and practices in the area of responsibility.

People

• Manage the maintenance personnel under supervision through guidance, supervision, inspection and discipline.
• Assist with training, coaching and development of subordinates.
• Maintain open communication with subordinates through daily meetings for two-way feedback.
• Perform bi-annual performance appraisals of mechanical artisans.
• Enforce World Class Manufacturing principles and use WCM tools daily as Foreman; lead by example.
• Maintain a high standard of time management for self and subordinates.

Qualifications / Skills and Experience

• Matric or equivalent
• Mechanical Trade Test passed
• A National Diploma or B.Tech would be advantageous
• Minimum of 5 years maintenance supervisory experience in a heavy engineering and continuous manufacturing process environment
• High level understanding of World Class Manufacturing tools, processes, and systems
• Ability to troubleshoot and present solutions in a fast-paced, pressurized environment
• Knowledge of all legal requirements of the OHS Act, BCEA, LRA and other legal requirements

Personal Attributes

• Self-starter, energetic and highly motivated with analytical capabilities and problem-solving drive
• Highly computer literate (ERP / MRO / CMMS / MS Office)
• Excellent communication and leadership qualities
• Ability to identify, visualize, articulate, and deploy plant maintenance improvement solutions
• High integrity and ability to make decisions under pressure
• Willing to work outside normal hours and perform standby duties
• Able to delegate effectively, empower subordinates, and hold them accountable for results
• Neat and well organized