Mechanical Foreman

Overview of Position

The Maintenance Foreman will work as part of a dynamic engineering team in the undertaking of various internal projects to maximize production, decrease wastage and improve innovation for effective cost saving.

The successful incumbent will be responsible for overseeing plant maintenance, encompassing both preventative and corrective measures and related requirements on this 24/7 site. Candidates should ideally live within 30 km of the site to be able to be on site within 45 minutes. There is an ongoing drive towards lean global manufacturing excellence, hence a continual focus is placed on process analysis and efficiency improvement in all business areas.

This position will suit an entrepreneurial-minded go-getter with vision and aspirations to take the business to new levels of efficiency and quality output.

Roles, Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be required to:

1. Supervise Artisans/ Artisan Assistants and includes supervision of boiler contractors and other maintenance contract workers as and when required.
2. Manage effective plant break-down maintenance (production operations, laboratory, workshop, boilers, company vehicles, main office).
3. Update P&ID diagrams and equipment tag numbering.
4. Develop and implement comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules for all machinery and equipment.
5. Advise on spare parts stock management and determining appropriate levels of maintenance items (new, current, redundant).
6. Propose cost saving initiatives and efficiency improvements (reduce down time) to show TPE and OEE.
7. Ensure that the maintenance team and contractors under your control follow all required safety policies and procedures.
8. Collaborate with the Engineering Manager and Operations Manager to plan maintenance activities in alignment with production schedules.
9. Work with and manage sub-contractors where required.
10. Coordinate work assignments and prioritize tasks to ensure optimal coverage.
11. Conduct regular training sessions for the maintenance team to enhance their skills in these areas.
12. Keep record of plant maintenance.
13. Keep equipment manuals and drawings in good condition to ensure they are controlled and remain in a high-quality condition.
14. Digitise maintenance records and resources where possible.

Qualification

1. N4 Technical Qualification or equivalent - Essential
2. Red Seal Trade certificate - Essential
3. Qualified Millwright - Essential
4. Microsoft Office Suite - Essential
5. Microsoft Visio - Essential
6. SAP - Advantage

Experience Required

1. Experience in the Engineering Industry - Essential – over 5 years
2. Experience with preventative maintenance - over 5 years
3. Hydraulic systems - advantageous - over 5 years
4. PLC and SCADA systems - over 5 years
5. Ammonia Plant experience - over 5 years
6. Food safety and OHS practices and standards - over 5 years - advantage
7. Demonstrate a strong understanding of a wide range of machinery, welding tools, compressors, generators, lifting equipment, and facility machinery - over 5 years
8. Project management experience in effluent/water treatment/recycling/energy reduction/carbon footprint reduction e.g. solar/capacity increase projects - over 5 years - Essential
9. Supervision of Engineering Team - over 5 years - Essential

Skills/ Qualities/ Values

1. Leadership: must display strong leadership skills, and an ability to effectively manage, lead and supervise a multidisciplinary team. Must have the ability to delegate and monitor outcomes effectively.
2. Accountability: must take responsibility and accountability for the department and contractors on site.
3. Strategy: think strategically, be open to new ideas, ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
4. Financial management: Ability to adhere to budgets set up by the company and reduce costs where possible.
5. OHSACT and Laws: an excellent working knowledge of SA laws, familiarity with safety regulations and shop floor protocols.
6. Communication: Influencing skills with the ability to resolve issues, build consensus and have proven skill in negotiating and mediating conflict, able to prepare and present reports to management.
7. Operational: Hands-on experience with machine tool setup, operation, and programming.
8. Analytical: Strong analytical skills, able to troubleshoot and solve problems associated with manufacturing processes. Must be proficient in interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical documents.
9. Continuous Improvement: Able to drive continuous improvement (process and equipment efficiency, cost savings).

Other:

1. South African.
2. Own reliable transport.
3. Will be required from time to time to work outside office hours and on weekends.
4. Must be “hands on”, will need to spend as much time as possible within the plant.