Shift Technician

Heineken; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Heineken in South Africa seeks an experienced maintenance technician for bottling and packaging lines. The role requires strong fault-finding, experience with high-speed equipment, and a trade certificate aligned to Millwright or mechanical/electrical disciplines.

You will work in a safety-conscious, GMP-compliant environment with 5S practices and continuous improvement initiatives. Candidates must have 3–5 years in manufacturing/FMCG settings, and be capable of reading schematics, working with

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in a manufacturing or FMCG environment.
• Trade Test Certificate (Millwright and/or Mechanical/Electrical).
• Proven experience on bottling and packaging machinery.
• Strong fault-finding and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience working shifts in a high-speed production environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintains equipment and adheres to safety and food safety standards (5S focus).
• Maintains process measurement equipment and supports calibrations.
• Proposes improvements based on standard analyses and situational sensing.
• Ensures packaging machines operate per production plan and specs.
• Executes preventive maintenance and handles breakdowns; captures performance data and drives corrective actions.

Skills

Fault-finding

High-speed line experience

Preventative maintenance

Pneumatic systems

Hydraulic systems

Read schematics

Conveyors/Packaging equipment

GMP/HACCP knowledge

Shift work

Lockout/Tagout

Job description

• Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in a manufacturing or FMCG environment.
• Trade Test Certificate (Millwright and/orMechanical/Electrical)
• Proven experience working on bottling and packaging machinery.
• Strong fault-finding and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience working shifts in a high-speed production environment.
• Knowledge of PLCs, Servo, AC Drives, Conveyors, fillers, labelers, packers, and related packaging equipment will be advantageous.

Key Activities

• Maintains the equipment and works in line with the defined and implemented safety and food safety standards. Following the 5S, and Housekeeping related to the work place.
• Takes care of the process measurement equipment. Supports regular calibrations and periodical checks.
• Takes initiatives and is actively involved in optimizing workplace performance via AM/5S teams and activities. Proposes improvement actions based on standard analyses and sensing (hearing/looking/feeling/smelling) of his/her area of the line.
• Ensures the Packaging process (machines) operates in an efficient and effective manner according to the production plan and specification in standard and non-standard conditions.
• Executes dedicated preventive maintenance activities OTIF and understands principle of FTR (First Time Right),Acts efficiently in case of breakdowns. Captures and interprets performance data and executes corrective actions if needed.

Skills

• Strong fault-finding and troubleshooting abilities on production equipment
• Basic machining and workshop skills, including drilling, cutting, welding, and lathe operations.
• Experience with high-speed bottling and packaging line machinery
• Competence in preventative and breakdown maintenance within a production environment
• Working knowledge of pneumatic and hydraulic systems
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and equipment manuals
• Hands-on experience with conveyors, fillers, cappers, labellers, and related packaging equipment
• Understanding of alignment, bearings, gearboxes, and drive systems
• Experience within a beverage or FMCG manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of food safety standards and hygiene practices (GMP/HACCP)
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure in a fast-paced production environment
• Willingness and ability to work shift patterns and respond to breakdowns promptly
• Strong adherence to safety procedures, including lockout/tagout compliance
• Good communication and teamwork within multidisciplinary maintenance and production teams