Workshop Manager

Sovereign Foods Ltd; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Sovereign Foods Ltd in Kariega seeks an accomplished Workshop Manager to lead its Farm Services workshop. This hands-on role is responsible for safe, reliable and cost-effective maintenance of company vehicles, machinery, trailers and Broiler Heat Exchange equipment.

You will plan and supervise maintenance activities, manage budgets and teams, enforce safety standards, and build strong relationships with Agri operations, Finance and suppliers to maximise uptime and value.

Qualifications

• National Diploma or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or Maintenance Management.
• Five+ years in workshop management or supervision with post-qualification experience.
• Proven leadership, cost control, safety and compliance capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prioritize maintenance to maximise vehicle and equipment availability.
• Lead preventative maintenance for vehicles, machinery, trailers and Broiler Heat Exchange equipment.
• Control budgets, contractors and suppliers to secure quality and value.
• Maintain histories, job cards, inspections, parts and cost records.
• Set goals, allocate work, coach performance and enforce KPI accountability.
• Ensure inspections, repairs and releases meet procedures and standards.
• Coordinate breakdown response, fault finding and corrective action to minimise downtime.
• Maintain health, safety, legal and biosafety risk controls.
• Build relationships with Agri management, operators, Finance, Loss Control, suppliers and contractors.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

Equipment knowledge

Fault finding

Preventive maintenance

Budgeting & cost control

Excel reporting

Leadership & coaching

Planning & time management

Communication & relationships

Accountable & results-driven

Education

Diploma in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Job description

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Kariega

Job Description

Sovereign, a national supplier of quality chicken products to various markets with operations in five provinces, seeks an accomplished Workshop Manager to lead its Farm Services workshop in Kariega. This hands-on TASK T12 role reports to the Senior Production Manager: Agri Services and is accountable for the safe, reliable and cost-effective maintenance of company vehicles, machinery, trailers and Broiler Heat Exchange equipment. Applicants must hold a National Diploma or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or Maintenance Management, with at least five years’ workshop management or supervisory experience and substantial post-qualification technical workshop experience. Proven success in team leadership, cost control, equipment reliability, safety and compliance is essential.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prioritize maintenance to maximize vehicle and equipment availability.


• Lead preventative maintenance for vehicles, machinery, trailers and Broiler Heat Exchange equipment, improving the planned-to-breakdown maintenance balance.


• Control maintenance budgets, contractors and suppliers to secure quality, turnaround time and value.


• Maintain accurate histories, job cards, inspections, parts and cost records, and control tools, spares and critical stock.


• Set team goals, allocate work, ensure skills coverage, coach performance and enforce KPI accountability.


• Ensure inspections, repairs and release-to-service work meet procedures, manufacturer requirements and quality standards.


• Coordinate breakdown and incident response, fault finding and corrective action to minimise downtime.


• Maintain health, safety, legal and biological risk controls across workshop and field operations.


• Build effective relationships with Agri management, operators, Finance, Loss Control, suppliers and contractors, and deliver special projects.

Qualifications

• Proven maintenance leadership in a demanding workshop or fleet environment


• Strong knowledge of yellow metal, earthmoving equipment, hydraulics, vehicles, machinery and trailers


• Advanced fault finding, root-cause analysis and structured problem solving


• Proven ability to improve preventative maintenance and health and safety systems


• Commercial acumen in budgeting, cost control, contractors and supplier negotiation


• Intermediate Excel and disciplined maintenance reporting and record management


• Strong leadership, performance management, coaching and skills development


• Excellent planning and time management across complex priorities and incidents


• Clear communication and relationship building across operational, technical and support teams


• Resilient, accountable and results focused

Closing Date

As Sovereign is an equal opportunity employer, preference will be given to applicants of designated groups, as defined by the Employment Equity Act.