An excellent career opportunity exists for interested and qualified candidates to apply for the above-mentioned position at Namib Mills (Pty) Ltd, Klein Okapuka Farm.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
To supervise and coordinate all maintenance activities within the bakery to ensure equipment reliability, minimal downtime and uninterrupted production. The incumbent is responsible for planning and overseeing maintenance work, supervising maintenance employees and contractors, and ensuring compliance with food safety, operational and occupational health and safety standards.

The position serves as a developmental role within the bakery maintenance function. The incumbent will be required to actively participate in management-directed development initiatives aimed at broadening technical, supervisory and leadership competencies to support future succession requirements within the maintenance department.

KEY FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintenance Supervision and Coordination

• Supervise daily maintenance activities.
• Allocate maintenance tasks to artisans and technicians.
• Monitor completion of preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Participate in equipment breakdown investigations and repairs.
• Ensure maintenance work is performed according to required standards.
• Coordinate maintenance shutdown activities.
• Monitor spare parts availability and report shortages.
• Ensure maintenance records are accurately completed.

Preventative Maintenance Planning

• Develop and maintain the bakery’s preventative maintenance (PM) schedule in line with OEM specifications and site reliability requirements.
• Plan weekly and monthly PM work orders, allocating tasks to artisans and technicians ahead of scheduled downtime windows.
• Prioritise PM activities based on equipment criticality, breakdown history and production risk.
• Coordinate PM scheduling with the Bakery Maintenance Manager and Production to align with planned shutdowns and minimise disruption to output.
• Review and adjust PM intervals based on equipment condition data, breakdown trends and manufacturer recommendations.
• Ensure PM task lists, checklists and job cards are complete, accurate and available to maintenance staff before work commences.
• Monitor completion of preventative and corrective maintenance against plan and escalate deviations.
• Maintain a rolling spares requirement forecast linked to the PM schedule to prevent stock-outs on critical parts.

Production Support

• Coordinate maintenance schedules with Bakery Maintenance Manager to minimise downtime.
• Minimise production downtime through effective engineering support.
• Support consistent product quality through optimal equipment performance.
• Assist in improving plant throughput and operational efficiency.

Compliance, Quality & Safety

• Ensure compliance with HACCP, ISO standards, and food safety regulations.
• Enforce Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) standards and safe work practices.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and housekeeping within the plant.
• Lead internal and external audits and implement corrective actions.

Financial & Resource Management

• Monitor maintenance material usage.
• Control maintenance stores and spare parts under own responsibility.
• Assist with maintenance cost control initiatives.

Team Supervision

• Supervise and coordinate maintenance employees.
• Monitor attendance and productivity.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching.
• Conduct toolbox talks and safety briefings.
• Assist with performance management processes.
• Identify training needs and report them to management.
• Promote safe work practices and discipline.

Administration & Reporting

• Complete daily maintenance reports.
• Maintain maintenance schedules and records.
• Report breakdown trends and recurring equipment failures.
• Ensure maintenance documentation is up to date.

Leadership Development and Succession Planning

• Participate in development programmes identified by management.
• Complete assigned technical, supervisory and leadership training interventions.
• Demonstrate continuous improvement in management and leadership competencies.
• Assist the Bakery Maintenance Manager with selected planning, reporting and coordination activities as part of succession development.
• Act at a higher capacity when required and deemed competent by management.

Ad Hoc Duties

• Perform ad hoc duties as instructed by the Bakery Maintenance Manager or Senior Management.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• Trade Test (Millwright, Electrician, Fitter & Turner) or similar.
• National Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a large industrial Bakery operation.
• Experience with preventative maintenance systems.
• Experience with commissioning of new Bakery operations or equipment.

OTHER

• Computer literate (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Valid Code B driver’s licence.
• Must be able to work shifts, weekends, callouts, overtime and public holidays.