Operations

Specialist Artisan

PepsiCo·Gauteng, south-africa·Full Time·Part-time
OperationsFull TimePart-time
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Overview

  • The primary objective of the Maintenance Specialist is to provide technical expertise and leadership in maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving the reliability of critical bakery equipment and systems.
  • This role plays a key part in minimizing unplanned downtime, ensuring food safety compliance, and supporting optimal production performance in a high-speed manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

  • Provide expert technical support and troubleshooting for complex mechanical, electrical, and automation- related breakdowns on critical bakery equipment.
  • PLC Programming & Automation: Program, troubleshoot, backup, and restore PLC systems (Siemens, Mitsubishi, and others). Perform regular backups and maintain version control of PLC programs.
  • VFD / VSD Management: Set up, install, configure, and troubleshoot Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) across production lines.
  • HMI Systems: Develop, modify, upgrade, and maintain Human Machine Interface (HMI) programs to improve operator efficiency and system visibility.
  • Batch Management: Support and maintain batch management systems, recipes, and process parameters to ensure consistent product quality.
  • Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for repetitive and high-impact failures and implement permanent corrective solutions.
  • Develop, review, and optimize preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for key assets.
  • Coach and mentor Millwrights and Artisans on technical standards, automation systems, and advanced troubleshooting techniques.
  • Ensure all maintenance and automation activities comply with food safety standards (AIB, HACCP), MESS requirements, and statutory regulations (GMR, PER, OHS Act).
  • Participate in major shutdown planning, Capex projects, and equipment improvement initiatives.
  • Drive reliability improvement projects aimed at increasing Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and reducing maintenance costs.
  • Conduct equipment audits, condition monitoring, and failure mode analysis

Qualifications

  • Minimum qualification Grade 12/N3 in electro-mechanical engineering\S4\T4\BTECH
  • Qualified Millwright\Controls and Instrumentation Technician
  • Minimum 3 - 5 years' post-trade experience in a manufacturing or FMCG environment
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
  • Valid driver's licence and own transport (advantageous)
  • Willingness to work shifts, weekends, and standby duties
  • Computer literacy (SAP / maintenance systems experience is a plus)

Key skills

Matric

At a glance

Company

PepsiCo

Location

Gauteng, south-africa

Employment

Full Time

Experience

Valid until

Not specified

Created

July 17, 2026