Key Purpose
The purpose of this role is to lead the plant's engineering, maintenance, and asset care functions to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations. The role is responsible for developing and executing the plant's engineering strategy, implementing preventive and predictive maintenance systems, improving equipment reliability, and ensuring full compliance with engineering, safety, and legal standards.
It provides technical leadership, governance, and direction to a multidisciplinary engineering team while driving continuous improvement, TPM integration, and optimisation of utilities and infrastructure.
The role ensures that plant assets operate at optimal performance levels, supports capital projects, manages engineering budgets, and enables long-term asset health and operational efficiency.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Key Outcomes
Engineering Strategy and Asset Care Execution
Develop and implement the plant's engineering and maintenance strategy aligned to national asset care standards and business goals.
Lead the implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance plans to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
Collaborate with the Head Office Maintenance and Reliability teams to integrate best practices and ensure standardisation.
Team Leadership and Technical Development
Lead and coach a multi-disciplinary engineering team to deliver high levels of performance, safety, and engagement.
Identify and address technical training needs, succession plans, and development opportunities.
Ensure all engineering team members are certified and competent for their roles.
Reliability and Equipment Efficiency
Oversee root cause failure analyses and develop action plans to address systemic issues.
Monitor plant performance indicators (MTTR, MTBF, OEE) and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Guide the Reliability Engineer and Process Control Engineer in data-driven decision-making and technology application.
Maintenance Planning and Execution.
Lead the Maintenance Controller and team in effective scheduling, execution, and follow-up of maintenance activities.
Ensure spares availability by working closely with the Stores Manager and engineering stores team.
Minimise equipment breakdowns and downtime through structured maintenance execution.
Compliance and Risk Management
Ensure legal compliance with engineering standards, pressure vessels, electrical systems, and safety codes.
Manage engineering-related risk assessments and implement mitigation actions.
Ensure plant equipment complies with food safety, QSE, and hygiene standards.
Capital Projects and Infrastructure Support
Support capital projects at the plant level by providing technical input, commissioning support, and resource coordination.
Ensure the integrity, safety, and reliability of utilities and infrastructure (e.g. compressors, boilers, HVAC, water systems).
Cost Management and Reporting
Manage engineering and maintenance budgets, identify cost-saving opportunities and control expenditure.
Provide accurate engineering reports, analytics and performance insights to plant and national stakeholders.
Skills, Experience & Education
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering
GCC Factories (advantageous)
Registered or eligible for registration with ECSA (advantageous)
TPM or Reliability Certification (advantageous)
Experience
8 years' engineering and maintenance experience in a manufacturing/FMCG environment, including at least 3 years in a managerial role
Proven experience in managing multidisciplinary technical teams and engineering budgets
Strong exposure to reliability-centered maintenance and TPM practices
Experience working with CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management Systems)
Skills
Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical and utility systems
Skilled in root cause analysis, condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance
Proficiency in engineering compliance (OSHA, SANS, ISO)
Familiarity with digital maintenance systems
Excellent planning, budgeting, and cost control abilities
Strong data analysis and reporting capability
Effective leadership, communication, and cross-functional coordination skills
Deadline:20th February,2026