Principal Mine Maintenance Manager - Heavy Equipment Focus

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary package

Performance-based bonuses

Medical aid

Pension fund benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Mine Maintenance Manager in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA to lead a vast maintenance division for heavy mining equipment. The role drives strategy, safety, and asset performance across multiple sites, with emphasis on reliability, cost control, and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will have a mechanical/electrical engineering background, 12+ years of heavy equipment maintenance management, and strong leadership, budgeting, and CMMS experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.
• 12+ years in heavy equipment maintenance management, with 5+ years in senior leadership.
• Experience with CMMS (SAP PM, Oracle EAM) and advanced maintenance techniques (PdM, RCM).

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic maintenance plans for heavy mining equipment.
• Lead and mentor a large team of maintenance supervisors, technicians, and planners.
• Implement preventative and predictive maintenance to minimize downtime.
• Oversee workshop operations, inventory, and quality control.
• Manage the maintenance budget and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental regulations.
• Collaborate across departments to optimize equipment lifecycle.
• Utilize CMMS for work orders, asset tracking, and performance analysis.
• Drive continuous improvement and safety excellence in maintenance.
• Analyze maintenance data to identify trends and optimizations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Team management

Budget management

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Safety leadership

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SAP PM

Oracle EAM

CMMS software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major diversified mining operator, is seeking a highly experienced and results-oriented Principal Mine Maintenance Manager to lead their comprehensive maintenance division in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA . This senior leadership role is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and oversight of all maintenance activities for a vast fleet of heavy mining equipment, ensuring maximum availability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in managing large maintenance teams, implementing advanced maintenance strategies (including predictive and preventative), and driving continuous improvement in asset management within a demanding mining environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic maintenance plans for all heavy mining equipment, including excavators, haul trucks, dozers, and mobile plants.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a large team of maintenance supervisors, technicians, and planners.
• Implement and optimize preventative and predictive maintenance programs to minimize unplanned downtime and extend equipment life.
• Oversee workshop operations, ensuring efficient repair processes, inventory management, and quality control.
• Develop and manage the maintenance budget, controlling costs while ensuring operational requirements are met.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and legislative regulations related to maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with procurement, operations, and engineering departments to optimize equipment selection, utilization, and lifecycle management.
• Implement and utilize maintenance management systems (CMMS) for work order management, asset tracking, and performance analysis.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, safety excellence, and technical innovation within the maintenance function.
• Analyze maintenance data to identify trends, root causes of failures, and opportunities for optimization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in heavy equipment maintenance management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within the mining or heavy industry sector.
• Extensive knowledge of heavy mining equipment, maintenance strategies, and workshop operations.
• Proven experience with CMMS software (e.g., SAP PM, Oracle EAM) and advanced maintenance techniques (PdM, RCM).
• Strong understanding of budget management, cost control, and financial reporting.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong commitment to safety, health, and environmental performance.
• Professional Engineer (PrEng) or equivalent professional registration is highly desirable.
• Experience with fleet management and asset lifecycle management is a significant advantage.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive executive salary package, significant performance-based bonuses, comprehensive medical aid, and pension fund benefits. This role provides substantial opportunities for career advancement and leadership development within a major international mining group. The position is based in East London , a coastal city with a strong industrial base. We are dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive, and performance-driven work environment, offering challenging projects and rewarding careers.