Overview:
The Site Manager will oversee the on-site delivery of maintenance and repair services for heavy mining and mobile equipment. The role is responsible for coordinating maintenance activities, leading the site team, managing safety and spare-parts requirements, and maintaining effective communication with operational stakeholders. The objective is to support safe, reliable equipment performance and minimise downtime.
Responsibilities:
- Lead on-site maintenance and repair operations, including work planning, staffing and resource allocation.
- Monitor service requirements, operational risks and delivery priorities, resolving issues promptly.
- Prioritise planned maintenance and breakdown repairs in line with site operating requirements.
- Coordinate preventive maintenance, servicing, fault diagnosis and emergency repairs to improve equipment availability.
- Review downtime, recurring failures and repair quality; lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Track operating hours, component condition and maintenance history, and support overhaul and rebuild planning.
- Manage the maintenance team, including rosters, shift handovers, attendance and emergency coverage.
- Provide technical guidance, coaching and performance feedback to strengthen team capability.
- Implement site safety requirements through briefings, risk assessments, inspections and corrective actions.
- Ensure compliance with isolation procedures, permits to work, PPE requirements and other high-risk work controls.
- Report incidents and near misses, coordinate investigations and ensure corrective actions are completed.
- Coordinate critical spare parts, tyres, consumables, tools and diagnostic equipment to reduce downtime.
- Act as the main on-site coordination point for operational, maintenance, safety and stores stakeholders.
- Prepare regular reports on equipment availability, maintenance progress, downtime, parts risks and improvement actions.
- Monitor labour, overtime, parts and maintenance costs while maintaining safety and repair quality.
- Ensure work orders, time records, maintenance histories and material records are complete and accurate.
Minimum Requirements:
- Diploma or degree in Mechanical, Electromechanical, Automotive Engineering or a related discipline; relevant trade qualifications with substantial practical experience may also be considered.
- At least 5 years’ experience maintaining mining equipment, heavy vehicles or construction machinery.
- At least 2 years’ experience leading a site team or maintenance workshop.
- Sound knowledge of diesel engines, hydraulic systems, drivetrains and vehicle electrical systems.
- Experience in preventive maintenance, maintenance planning, equipment availability management and spare-parts inventory control.
- Strong commitment to site safety, risk assessment and corrective-action implementation.
- Professional English communication skills and the ability to prepare operational reports.
- Strong leadership, coordination, client-facing communication and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Excel and other office applications; experience with a maintenance management system (CMMS) is advantageous.
- Willingness to work on a long-term mine-site assignment and assist with emergency coordination when required.
Advantageous:
- Experience on mining projects in South Africa or internationally.
- Familiarity with surface mining equipment from major manufacturers.
- Experience coordinating multicultural technical teams or working with international equipment suppliers.
- Experience managing maintenance contracts and improving equipment availability or reducing recurring failures.