Millwright (Re-Advertised)

Tongaat; oThongathi; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Tongaat Engineering at Voermol Feeds is seeking a skilled Millwright to join the Engineering team. The role focuses on planned and breakdown maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment, following the maintenance plan and asset register.

Candidates should have 3–5 years post-trade experience in heavy industry, with fault-finding across conveyors, elevators, hammer mills, pellet mills and related systems. Strong communication in English is essential.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 / Matric is essential; Trade Test Certificate – Millwright is essential.
• Exposure to PLC systems (Siemens/Allen-Bradley) is desirable; demonstrated initiative.
• 3–5 years post-trade Millwright experience in heavy industry, manufacturing, FMCG, or milling/feed environments.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings; strong fault-finding and problem-solving capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Carry out scheduled inspections, lubrication, and preventative maintenance on mechanical and electrical equipment according to the maintenance plan and asset register.
• Identify wear, defects and potential failures; report before breakdowns occur.
• Complete job cards, checklists and maintenance records accurately and promptly.
• Respond to breakdowns and production stoppages; diagnose faults on motors, gearboxes, conveyors, mills, and related equipment.
• Install, align and commission new plant and equipment; support modifications and capital projects as directed by Engineering Foreman.
• Maintain maintenance history and downtime records using the CMMS or maintenance system.

Skills

PLC systems

Initiative

Communication skills

Fault-finding

English fluency

Education

Matric / Grade 12

Millwright Trade Test

N4/N6 Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Operating Centre: Voermol Feeds

Department: Engineering

Reports To: Mechanical Foreman

Job Grade: C2

Closing Date: 11 August 2026

Key Responsibilities

1. Planned and Preventative Maintenance

• Carry out scheduled inspections, lubrication, and preventative maintenance on mechanical and electrical equipment in accordance with the maintenance plan and asset register.
• Identify and report wear, defects, and potential failures prior to breakdowns occurring.
• Complete job cards, checklists and maintenance records accurately and promptly.

2. Breakdown Maintenance and Fault Finding

• Respond promptly to breakdowns and production stoppages to minimise downtime.
• Diagnose mechanical and electrical faults on motors, gearboxes, bearings, conveyors, elevators, mixers, hammer mills, pellet mills, pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
• Repair, replace or overhaul faulty components following correct trade procedures and tolerances.
• Troubleshoot electrical control circuits, starters, motor control centres (MCCs), PLC-driven equipment and instrumentation, escalating specialist electrical or PLC issues as necessary.
• Conduct root-cause analysis on recurring breakdowns and recommend appropriate corrective actions.

3. Installations, Modifications and Projects

• Install new plant, machinery and equipment in line with engineering drawings and specifications.
• Align, level and set machinery to fine tolerances, commissioning equipment following installation or repair.
• Support plant modifications, upgrades and capital projects as directed by the Engineering Foreman.
• Fabricate, machine or modify components within trade competency where required.
  • Respond to queries, enquiries or requests for information regarding specific tests, procedures and regulations.

4. Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ)

• Complete risk assessments prior to commencing work and consistently apply Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) and other safety procedures.
• Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Machinery Regulations, and relevant sections of the Meat Safety Act / Act 36 of 1947 (Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act) as applicable to feed manufacturing.
• Report unsafe conditions, near misses and incidents to immediate supervisors without delay.

5. Administration and Reporting

• Communicate effectively with the immediate supervisor to determine materials and resources required for specific work orders.
• Refer to work schedules and registers, addressing deviations and discrepancies identified during processing.
• Maintain accurate maintenance history, spares usage and downtime records using the CMMS or maintenance system.
• Address and correct deviations promptly, reporting serious breaches to the immediate supervisor.

Qualifications, Experience and Personal Qualities/Skills

• Grade 12 / Matric (essential). Trade Test Certificate – Millwright (essential). N4/N6 Engineering Studies or equivalent qualification is advantageous.
• Exposure to or training in PLC systems (Siemens/Allen-Bradley) is desirable. Demonstrated ability to take initiative.
• Minimum of 3–5 years post-trade experience as a Millwright within heavy industry, manufacturing, FMCG, or milling/feed environments. Proven expertise in both mechanical and electrical fault finding and repair.
• Experience working with conveyors, elevators, augers, hammer mills, pellet mills, mixers, and bulk material handling equipment is advantageous. Excellent communication skills, able to clearly articulate views and provide explanations.
• Sound working knowledge of mechanical and electrical trade theory and practise. Ability to read and interpret engineering, mechanical and electrical drawings. Strong fault-finding, diagnostic and problem-solving capabilities. Physically fit and able-bodied, with good hand-eye coordination. Fluent in reading, writing and speaking English.