Key responsibilities
Packhouse (in-season)
Ensure reliable operation and uptime of packhouse equipment through preventative maintenance, planned servicing, and rapid breakdown response.
Maintain and troubleshoot equipment such as graders/sizers, conveyors, motors/gearboxes, belts/bearings, packing/printing systems, scales, box making equipment, pumps, fans and general mechanical systems.
Assist with cold room and refrigeration support (fault-finding, basic maintenance, contractor coordination).
Maintain maintenance logs, daily/weekly checklists, and spares usage records; support audit readiness.
Enforce safe work practices (lockout/tagout principles, PPE, safe guarding) and maintain a clean, food-safe maintenance environment.
Farm (off-season)
General farm maintenance planning and execution across infrastructure, workshops, pumps, irrigation-related mechanical components, buildings and equipment.
Coordinate servicing and basic repairs of tractors, implements and farm equipment; manage minor fabrication/welding tasks.
Manage contractors where required (electrical, refrigeration, civil), ensuring quality, safety and timelines.
Maintain maintenance schedules, job cards, and parts/spares control.
Minimum requirements (non-negotiable)
Minimum 3 years' relevant experience in packhouse/food processing maintenance and/or farm maintenance.
Strong mechanical aptitude with proven fault-finding ability under time pressure.
Competence in general maintenance including basic electrical fault finding, welding/fabrication and equipment servicing coordination.
Computer literate (maintenance logs, checklists, email/WhatsApp reporting).
Strong communication skills (able to report issues clearly and work with operations teams).
Valid driver's licence.
Advantageous / preferred
Trade qualification (e.g., Millwright/Fitter/Electrician) or relevant tertiary qualification in Agriculture/Engineering-related field.
Refrigeration/cold room exposure.
Packhouse/food industry experience with audit/compliance systems (e.g., HACCP/BRCGS/GlobalG.A.P/SIZA—where applicable).
Experience supervising assistants/contractors and managing spares stock.