National Maintenance Manager

Air Liquide; Alberton; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Liquide is seeking a National Maintenance Manager to define nationwide maintenance strategies and budgets across all facility types and processes. The role drives reliable operations through CMMS oversight, spare parts control, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The incumbent will lead maintenance planning, KPI monitoring (MTBF, MTTR, OEE), subcontractor audits and technical support on engineering projects to enhance asset reliability while minimizing costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering or related field.
• CRE advantageous.
• Valid Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Define nationwide maintenance strategies and budgets.
• Oversee CMMS and spare parts inventory control.
• Lead continuous improvement via reliability analysis and downtime costs.
• Track KPIs such as MTBF, MTTR, and OEE.
• Develop maintenance plans and SOPs; manage audits and compliance.

Skills

People management

Maintenance strategy

CMMS

Regulatory compliance

Asset reliability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering

CRE (Certified Reliability Engineer)

Tools

CMMS systems

Job description

How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?

As the National Maintenance Manager, the incumbent serves as the strategic process owner for the Integrated Management System (IMS_GP09), accountable for defining nationwide maintenance strategies, workforce budgets, training standards, and subcontracting policies across all facility types and processes. The role drives reliable and efficient operations through CMMS oversight, spare parts inventory control, strict regulatory compliance, and budget management. Additionally, the National Maintenance Manager leads continuous improvement by analyzing reliability incidents and downtime costs, tracking key performance metrics (such as MTBF, MTTR, and OEE), overseeing subcontractor audits, and providing technical support on engineering projects to enhance asset reliability while minimizing operational expenditure across the organization.

Define and implement a comprehensive maintenance strategy for industrial and medical customer installations (including TGM activities), onsite units, acetylene production and filling facilities, cylinder filling facilities and road tankers. Site maintenance is included in the scope.

Develop maintenance plans, work instructions (WIs), resources, budget, and cost.

Identify critical spare parts through Vulnerability Studies and ensure critical spare parts are available and replaced when used.

Ensure the effective use of the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Manage maintenance processes and key performance indicators (KPIs) such as planned/unplanned maintenance, MTBF, TCM, and TCO, ensuring all activities are tracked in the CMMS.

Participate in Communities of Practice (CoPs) within Air Liquide and local professional bodies (e.g. SACGA), analyze safety and reliability incidents, customer claims, and costs to identify improvement opportunities.

Ensure the effective implementation of maintenance Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), programs, and plans in line with the overall strategy and procurement policies.

Drive maintenance performance improvement through regional maintenance managers and ensure the Industrial Management System (including internal standards) is effectively implemented. Ensure effective training and qualification programs including artisan development.

Support the technical aspects of offers and contracts, participating in investment committees.

Define process improvement objectives and strategies in collaboration with Maintenance and Operations Domain Leaders, analyzing relevant performance indicators.

Identify improvement areas and develop a maintenance strategy consistent with regulations (e.g., OHS Act, PER, GMR, EMR, SANS 347) and customer contracts. Define annual objectives based on potential savings and provide clear, concise monthly reports on CMMS data to stakeholders.

Manage maintenance department internal audits and follow up on corrective actions.

Oversee financial controls within the area of responsibility and manage maintenance inventory, including defining critical spare parts, minimum levels, and technical specifications. Manage EIS on CMMS and act as a Design Authority for projects.

Develop Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with procurement to ensure subcontractors comply with relevant Group HSE policies and procedures.

Are you a MATCH?

Educational requirements

• Bachelor degree or above in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering
• Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) as advantage
• Valid Driver's License

Experience

• 5-8 years experience in people management
• 10-15 years experience in maintenance management preferably in the Industrial gas (or chemical) plant, road tanker and bulk container (isotainers)

Knowledge and Know-how specific to the job

• Safety and Environmental requirements
• Legislation related to the gas industry
• Knowledge of maintenance systems(eg CMMS )
• Knowledge of maintenance KPI’s
• Application of PER and SANS347 and transport regulations
• Maintenance practices
• Knowledge of industrial gas equipment and applications

Our Differences make our Performance

At Air Liquide, we are committed to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.