Senior Artisan

AVI Limited; Durban; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

National Brands Limited (NBL) Durban Tea Factory seeks a Senior Artisan to provide technical oversight for Maintenance, coach Artisans and Apprentices, and drive improvements in availability and reliability of factory equipment.

You will supervise Artisans, Junior Artisans and Apprentices, coordinate maintenance schedules, perform hands‑on repairs, and ensure compliance with food safety and GMP standards while collaborating with OEMs and suppliers to deliver high quality maintenance.

Qualifications

• Must have at least 5 years of work experience as an artisan.
• Supervisory experience within the FMCG sector is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Maintain records of maintenance activities and downtime.
• Supervise Artisans, Junior Artisans and Apprentices; provide training.
• Coordinate maintenance schedules; ensure timely completion.
• Hands-on maintenance; repair machinery to spec.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and GMP standards.
• Install and align machinery per specs.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical/electrical issues.
• Fabricate and modify parts to improve performance.
• Identify issues before escalation with diagnostics.
• Adhere to safety procedures and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with OEMs and service providers.

Skills

Artisan

Supervisory experience

Education

N6 Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Millwright / Fitter Trade Test

Job description

BUILD YOUR CAREER BEHIND BRANDS SOUTH AFRICANS KNOW AND LOVE.

Join the Entyce Beverages Durban Tea Factory , home to Five Roses, Freshpak and Trinco.

From production and engineering to quality, planning, maintenance and supply chain, you’ll be part of a hands‑on team producing iconic tea brands at scale. With opportunities to build specialist skills, gain valuable manufacturing experience and grow within Entyce and AVI Limited, your work can become the foundation for a lasting career.

Join us and help keep South Africa’s favourite teas moving.

Unlock Your Potential

An exciting opportunity exists for a Senior Artisan at the National Brands Limited (NBL) Durban Tea Factory. The scope of the Senior Artisan is broad in terms of not only executing work tasks but in having a degree of technical oversight for the quality of workmanship across the Maintenance department. This role involves coaching artisans on gaps identified and assisting in the development of Junior Artisans and Apprentices, as well as executing on projects. The Senior Artisan will also be involved in focused initiatives regarding problem‑solving and investigations into availability and reliability within the factory.

Line Manager

Maintenance Manager

Job Specification

Key Performance Areas:

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, machine downtimes, and artisan performance, reporting regularly to the Maintenance Manager or Engineering Foreman.

Supervision and Training

• Oversee the work of Artisans, Junior Artisans and Apprentices, providing guidance, training, and quality control.
• Mentor team members to develop their skills and ensure adherence to best practices.
• Coordinate maintenance schedules and ensure timely completion of all tasks.

Maintenance and Repairs

• Actively participate in and lead the physical execution of maintenance tasks, ensuring hands‑on involvement with equipment and repairs.
• Monitor the quality of maintenance work and processes, ensuring compliance with internal standards, external regulations, and specific adherence and enforcement of food safety and GMP standards.
• Install, assemble, and align machinery and equipment according to engineering specifications and layout plans.
• Ensure that all components are properly fitted and secured to meet installation standards.
• Perform regular maintenance on industrial machinery to prevent breakdowns and extend equipment lifespan.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical/electrical issues, replacing or repairing defective parts and other components.

Troubleshooting

• Identify and resolve mechanical/electrical problems quickly and efficiently to minimize downtime.
• Use diagnostic tools and techniques to assess machinery performance and identify potential issues before they escalte.

Fabrication And Modification

• Fabricate, modify, and install custom parts or components as needed to improve machinery performance or accommodate new processes.

Safety Compliance

• Adhere to all safety regulations and protocols, ensuring that all work is performed in a safe and compliant manner.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement safety measures to protect the team and equipment.

Collaboration

• Work closely with OEM’s, service providers, Training and internal stakeholders to ensure high quality delivery of maintenance.

Minimum Requirements

Experience:

• Must have at least 5 years of work experience as an artisan.
• Supervisory experience within the FMCG sector is advantageous.

Qualifications

• N6 Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Millwright / Fitter Trade Test.

Additional Requirements

• The role may require working shifts, including nights and weekends.
• Physical requirements include standing for long periods, lifting moderate weights, and actively participating in maintenance tasks.
• Must be willing to be on standby and available to work overtime as required.

Take the Next Step with us

Join a leader in FMCG with a proud history and exciting future. If you're passionate about quality, innovation, and teamwork, Entyce Beverages offers a rewarding career.