Engineering Manager-FMCG (Clayville) at Impact

Job Description

Technical Areas Reporting to: Production, Supply Chain, QA


Main Purpose of the Job (statement about why the role is there, what the role is to achieve): Engineering Manager role is to lead, plan, and direct all engineering, maintenance, and technical activities within the manufacturing plant to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all equipment, utilities, and facilities.
The role is responsible for driving plant availability, engineering excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement, while ensuring that engineering resources, capital projects, and maintenance strategies support production targets, food safety standards, cost objectives, and long-term plant performance.


Job Description

Production & Materials Planning


Plan, direct, and coordinate engineering activities in a manufacturing plant, including the design, construction, modification, performance, and maintenance of equipment and machinery.
Manage engineering aspects of capital projects: design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover to achieve project objectives.
Maintain strong communication with shift and line managers to ensure operational alignment.
Comply with company Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
Work in accordance with Food Safety requirements to ensure the quality of finished products.
Ensure adherence to and compliance with the OHS Act and GMR2 requirements.
Oversee day-to-day activities such as setting standards/policies for installation, modification, inspection, quality control, testing, and maintenance.
Inspect plant and machinery to ensure optimum performance.
Direct the maintenance of plant buildings, utilities, and equipment.
Schedule and plan engineering activities to meet operational needs.
Plan, design, and oversee development, installation, operation, and maintenance of plant machinery.
Conduct research to solve practical engineering challenges and improve efficiency.
Establish and maintain work control systems.
Provide guidance to plant personnel on proper plant procedures and manufacturing methods.
Guide preventative and repair maintenance to ensure the plant meets output quotas and deadlines.
Conduct operational tests to verify that engineering designs meet required specifications.
Design and improve engineering processes to increase production efficiency and quality.
Perform project management tasks and oversee execution of engineering projects within area of expertise.
Coordinate equipment selection, engage contractors, and evaluate quotes in line with procurement policies.
Support the business to ensure operations meet environmental and safety protocols cost effectively.
Prepare and manage departmental budgets, ensuring planned cost outcomes are achieved.
Ensure monthly reporting on engineering costs and performance through process evaluation.
Develop and implement a maintenance philosophy aligned to plant requirements.
Ensure all engineering activities comply with OHS Act requirements.
Implement long-term training and development plans for engineering teams.
Implement and control standard plant KPIs and develop strategies to achieve them.


Measurable Outcomes

Equipment Reliability & Uptime


Achieve ≥ 95% plant uptime annually
Reduce unplanned downtime by at least 10% year-on-year
Improve Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) by ≥ 5% per quarter


Maintenance Efficiency


Complete ≥ 90% of planned maintenance tasks within schedule.
Reduce maintenance backlog to ≤ 2 weeks.
Ensure 100% compliance with preventive maintenance schedules


Cost Management


Maintain engineering and maintenance spend within ±5% of approved budget
Reduce maintenance cost per unit produced by 3 - 5% annually
Deliver capital projects within budget and approved scope


Project Delivery


Complete 100% of engineering projects within agreed timelines
Ensure successful commissioning of new equipment with ≤ 2% defects in first month of operation
Achieve 100% handover documentation for all capital projects.


Safety, Health & Compliance


Maintain zero major OHS Act violations
Achieve 100% completion of statutory inspections (GMR2, boilers, LOTO, pressure vessels).
Ensure 100% audit compliance for Food Safety & GMP requirements.
Reduce safety incidents within engineering by ≥ 20% year-on-year


Quality & Food Safety


Ensure engineering-related quality deviations do not exceed 1% of total non-conformances
Efficiency & Continuous Improvement
Deliver at least 3 efficiency or cost-saving projects per year
Improve energy efficiency by ≥ 5% annually (steam, refrigeration, electricity).
Achieve ≥ 98% availability of critical plant services (steam, refrigeration, compressed air, water).


People Development & Leadership


Ensure 100% completion of training plans for engineering staff
Reduce engineering staff turnover to below 5%
Conduct quarterly performance reviews with all direct reports
Develop and implement succession plans for all critical technical roles


Reporting & Governance


Submit monthly engineering reports by the required deadline with 100% accuracy
Maintain updated engineering SOPs, risk assessments and work instructions at 100% compliance
Ensure 100% adherence to procurement and contractor management standards.
Environmental Stewardship
Reduce plant environmental incidents to zero major incidents per year
Achieve ≥ 95% compliance with environmental monitoring requirements (effluent, emissions, waste)
Implement at least one sustainability improvement initiative per year


Skills and Education:


Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical (Heavy Current) Engineering.
Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) - Factories.


Experience


8 - 10 years' experience in a continuous process operation (factory/packaging/perishables manufacturing preferred)
Minimum 5 years' practical experience in engineering operations, maintenance, and projects
Proven leadership and people management experience
Demonstrated successful, hands-on track record in machinery maintenance within a production environment
Experience engaging staff within established company policies to meet workload demands
Experience implementing and ensuring compliance with OHS Act requirements


Skills & Competencies


Strong knowledge of contract negotiation and management
Comprehensive understanding of OHS Act regulations, facilities management, financial oversight, project management, and engineering procurement
Strong preventative maintenance knowledge and application
High-level problem-solving skills
Industrial relations competency is essential
Ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams


Advantageous


Experience in the FMCG industry, preferably in an HACCP / Food Safety environment
Experience in another fast-moving consumer goods environment with a strong maintenance leadership track record will also be considered