Maintenance Technician

Job Purpose:

• To ensure all machinery, utilities, and production equipment operate at optimal performance to sustain a minimum of 90% line efficiency within a lean FMCG toothpaste manufacturing environment. The Maintenance Fitter is responsible for proactive maintenance, rapid breakdown response, effective changeovers, and continuous improvement to minimize downtime and support production targets.

Key Responsibilities:

Planned & Preventative Maintenance

• Perform planned maintenance according to maintenance schedules and check sheets.
• Accurately complete and update maintenance records.
• Conduct routine inspections to prevent unplanned downtime.
• Identify wear patterns and recommend improvements to increase equipment reliability.

Breakdown & Emergency Repairs:

• Respond immediately to breakdowns to minimise production downtime.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical and electrical faults efficiently.
• First-line electrical fault finding on manufacturing equipment
• Ensure equipment is restored in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
• Identify and replace sensors, motors, contactors, relays, photo-eyes, proximity switches
• Conduct root cause analysis to prevent repeat failures.

Production & Changeover Support:

• Execute fast and effective changeovers to maintain production targets.
• Assist in line start-ups and shutdowns.
• Support production to maintain 90%+ operational efficiency.
• Ensure machinery operates within quality parameters.
• Electrical Support (Essential) (No electrical technicians on site)
• Assist with VSD resets and PLC I/O tracing (no programming required)

Utilities & Services Maintenance:

Maintain and repair:

• Pumps, Compressors, Tanks, Water treatment plant, Homogenisers, Pallet jacks, Structural components (doors, railings)
• Start up and shut down services and utilities as required.

Spares & Contractor Management:

• Identify and communicate spares requirements.
• Assist in maintaining optimal spare parts inventory levels.
• Oversee contractors when required and ensure work meets engineering standards.

Compliance & Hygiene:

• Maintain clean and hygienic work practices aligned with GMP.
• Safe isolation and lock-out of equipment
• Ensure all work complies with safety, quality and food manufacturing standards.
• Follow all SHE and company procedures.

Inherent Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Matric (Grade 12)
• Trade Tested Millwright (Red Seal preferred)
• Minimum 7 years' post-trade experience in FMCG or high-speed production environment
• Experience in lean manufacturing environments
• Proven experience in high-speed automated production lines
• Demonstrated hands-on electrical fault-finding capability on production equipment
• Forklift license (advantageous or willingness to obtain)
• Sound knowledge of GMP and hygiene standards
• Computer literate (maintenance systems, check sheets, reporting)

Key Competencies:

• Strong mechanical fault-finding and troubleshooting skills
• Practical electrical fault finding (not theoretical)
• Pneumatics and hydraulics
• Knowledge of pumps, compressors, homogenisers, filling machines and packaging lines
• Understanding of lean principles, OEE, and downtime reduction
• Ability to work independently under pressure in high-efficiency environments
• Production-focused mindset
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capability
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings
• Welding, fitting and turning skills
• High attention to detail and quality standards
• Strong safety awareness

Working Conditions:

• FMCG production environment (toothpaste manufacturing)
• Shift work will be required:
• Current Day Shift - Monday to Thursday: 07h00 - 17h00, Friday: 07h00 - 13h00
• Current Night Shift - Monday to Thursday: 18h00 - 06h00
• Standby and overtime as operationally required
• Physically demanding role involving lifting and machine work